Well, Koa calls them raspberries, but I think that is just because it is easier for him to say. He will say blackberries when prompted and he knows the difference, but for some reason he always asks to go pick raspberries...and he asks regularly. Since I took his picture after this particular picking party he now tells me when we are finished that we need to go take pictures so he can show his cheeses. His face was much messier than this picture would lead you to believe.
Our little blackberry bush doesn't provide many at a time, but we get enough for a little snack when we make the effort. This particular day we went equipped with a step stool, gloves, my rain jacket and half of a curtain rod (to use as a hook to grab the branches). I had Koa hold the container, but I had to work fast to make sure there were more going in than coming out... He helped me pick a little, too, but most of them are too high for him to reach. He's also particular--he only wants to pick them if they are of adequate size! So, mostly he just eats while I pick.
We took this batch and made some blackberry mini-muffins for breakfast. Koa didn't get to help me make them because I got up before him and Zak and made some for Zak to take to school with him.
I spent this afternoon going through Koa's baby clothes to get things washed and organized for the new littlest Zumwalt. I can't be sure, but I think this kid is going to be cold--or wear pj's all the time! It was fun to go through all of Koa's old stuff, but sad to think that a lot of it won't get used again. I guess that's the dilemma when you try to decide whether to keep clothes for the next kid or pass them on to someone else. When I packed Koa's up I figured we would still be in Hawaii, so there wouldn't be a seasonal issue. Well, I was wrong again!
On a bit of a bummer note, we just found out yesterday that the very expensive insurance policy we just bought will not cover the birth of BZ2 if we use the midwife we have chosen. Even though she is a preferred provider for this particular insurance company (which we were sure to check) they will only cover a birth if it takes place in a hospital and she doesn't do hospital births. So, now we are in a pickle trying to figure out just what to do about that. We can try to find a new midwife who will take me just five weeks out from d-day, but that is rather unlikely (I considered it a real blessing to find someone we really liked with space in her schedule when I was already at eight months) nor do I want to. We will have to see how the Lord provides. He has shocked and amazed us until now with solutions. I have no doubt He has a plan.
