Blackberry Pickin'

We have a new Fourth of July weekend tradition: picking blackberries. We returned to Sweet Berry Farms to pick some of the biggest and juiciest and sweetest blackberries ever! Everyone got stuck by the thorns, juice stains on our hands (especially Hazel who just sat in the wagon eating and squishing berries). Toby, Aspen and Isaac kept busy catching grasshoppers and feeding them to the giant spiders among the canes. I'm glad that we went early: it got hot fast. And there were a lot of people there to pick berries. But now we have a year's supply of berries to eat, to use for jam, jelly, and especially to make berry ice cream!

Wee Squeakers

I saw these great shoes about 4 months ago. There are little squeakers built into the heels. So when she walks every step squeaks! (of course the little squeakers can be removed if necessary, like for church!) So now that Hazel is walking I can tell where she is just by the squeaks! Hazel likes the velcro fasteners and is always taking them off the play with the straps. Besides, every girl needs a great pair of red shoes.

Lawn girl

I took Hazel outside while I was watering my flowers and set her on the lawn. She didn't really like it. I don't know why...I've been watering the lawn and it is actually very lush and soft (usually in summer it turns dry and prickly). So she just holds her feet up. I love it. Mom says that when I was a baby I didn't like the lawn either.

Hazel's Secret Hideout

While I was cleaning the kitchen yesterday, Hazel found a place to play that was just her size...and fully stocked with play-things, too!