Annie,

I hear you on the helpers being helpful but not always easier. I have 2 bushels of tomatoes to get canned in the next few days and also 20 pounds of pickling cukes. I wasn't going to do any canning besides the dozen pickles I already did. But I went to the farmers market and the tomatoes were fifty cents a pound, and I just couldn't resist. My neighbor is leaving for Montana in the morning and just let me know that she has a big box of tomatoes for me, not including the picnic table full of tomatoes here at my house. Luckily I have someone coming in to help with the kids tomorrow, so just hope that I can get some canned and also some salsa done tomorrow.

Stacie
who has 3 helpers and a big baby belly that gets in the way lol.

Annie.
That is a prize winning picture of your little ones. They are adorable.

Looks like a lot of fun, Annie!

I can't believe how big Bud is, seems like just yesterday he was just a wee babe!

And the Princess is as beautiful as ever!

Linda

Spoken like a true Gramma !!

Ahhhhhh the joys of canning-- sticky floors, counters, tomato seeds in odd places,fragrant facials & smiles from the kids !

What a joy!

Sally

Now teach those kids to use a camera so YOU get in the pictures

I'd love to see what they do with disposable cameras at the reception heh heh

You are my kind of Grandma.

You certainly have the cutest helpers I've seen.
Looks like Makayla is learning some really good skills and having fun at the same time.

Ann

that was an adorable tale !!!!

Jessica, there will be no disposable cameras at the "reception". It's not even really a reception, just a celebration party. No cake cutting, no bouquet throwing, no garter tossing, no dollar dancing for shots of whatever. Probably no peeing on the DJ either, LOL.

Stacie, did you get your canning done yet?

Good thing I got the help while I could, now that she's in kindergarten she's probably to busy to help me can the rest of those tomatoes. Good thing Elery will be here this weekend!

Annie

You are one wunnerful Umma! The grandkids capture my heart and the food tempts my appetite.

Annie,

I didn't get a chance today, but with my helpers help we got several loads of laundry done and the house picked up. It was nice, when the kids took a nap, I went up to our room and fell asleep. She came up to tell me it was 4 and asked if I wanted to get up so that we could go to the game. While I was napping she did several loads of laundry, did the dishes and did some general pick up. Boy let me tell you it is making all the difference in the world to have someone to help me out.

So the tomatoes are all in the house, the kitchen is cleaned (for now) and the canners are out ready to go. So tomorrow will be canning time when Rhiannon is in preschool. Tomorrow is her first day back and she is so excited. Poor Peyton was crying and saying that she didn't want Rhiannon to go away to school, that she wanted her to stay home and play with her. I told her that it was her time to be momma's helper and she would get to play with Hayden and help me out. Both girls love helping and you know somedays I don't know what I would do with out them even though they are only 3 and 5 but both just beam with smiles when they are able to help me out or take care of Hayden.

Stacie
girlsingarden
who hopes to get some canning done tomorrow

Can I borrow your cute little helpers, now that they have some canning time under thier belts? I just did 7 pints of your World Famous Salsa, which was a hit at a Labor Day party BTW.

And can I have some of your maters? I had such a small crop this year. I am not sure if I should be grateful or not.

Hang in there, I know how you are feeling.

Peppi

Peppi,

I would love to share, I didn't have much for tomatoes so picked up a bushel at the farmers market for lest than 50 cents a pound. I then forgot about the ones covering my picnic table, my neighbor brought over a flat of tomatoes and our Principal said he was bringing over a 5 gallon bucket more today. I haven't even been out to the garden to see what I have left. Guess I will be doing more tomatoes than I thought lol.

Stacie

Stacie, sure send your kids over to help too, but I was refering to the Monkey Princess and her Bruvver.......

Oh Annie what great pictures and even better memories!

I'm off this AM to get another two bushels from the market somehow making mine won't be half as much fun!

Peppi, you want tomatoes, I'd be glad to share! I think Stacie was offering to share tomatoes, not helpers, LOL, but Bruvver is still available. I've got to warn you though, he'll walk up to you, say "Hi. I'm two. I'm naughty." (grin)

Eileen, the tomatoes are really good, but the kids, they feed my soul. The Princess told me "Gramma, you make my heart happy". Exactly how I feel about her!

Chase, maybe you could get Sara to help? Somehow, though, teenagers don't think peeling tomatoes is as much fun as a 4 year old thinks it is!

Annie

So, how much longer did canning tomatoes take you with "the help?"

I see Monkey Princess is as lovely as ever, but I'm in awe of Bud's serious growth spurt.
That boy is growing like the bona fide dandelion (not Cheech and Chong's cannabic type, even if Bud does claim to be naughty).

AB, I always look forward to your annual tomato harvest jamboree. No wonder Makayla's heart is happy.

Sol

great post Annie. I love seeing those kids. I can't believe Makayla started k-garten already!

(44 year olds don't think peeling tomatoes is much fun either...:-)

Stacy

Makayla's in kindergarden??? NOOOOOO!!! She's so adorable and sweet, but couldn't you hold her back to be a pre-k'er one more year? Bud is so big and blonde! Naughty? I don't think so!
How lucky we are to have our grands!

Oh I'm glad you're canning girlfriend. It takes the mind off other things. I looked and saw how many jars we still have left from prior years, and made the decision, NO canning this summer. But oh the results are good!

Those grandchicks have surely grown!

Annie, those are great pictures. Your grandbabies are just so darn precious. And I think the Princess looks a lot like Ashleigh. It is hard to believe that "Bud" looks like a little boy now instead of a baby boy. How does it happen so fast?
I am down to my last two little grandchildren, and I am trying to hold onto them so tight so they don't grow up too fast.
you are indeed a wonderful gramma.
Sherry

That's the cutest couple of scullery maids and helpers I ever did see!