canning and awake

I am tired.

Not the my-babies-are-up-all-hours-crying tired.

First one, then the other needing to be rocked and soothed.

That was the last few days.

Tonight

I am the good tired.

I don't know why I love canning so much.

I know at least 50% of my reason is seeing the all pretty jars lined up like soldiers.

Bonus is that the stuff inside tastes really good.

Not only did I make a lot of pretty jars of tomatoes today.

I got to do it with a friend.

We tag-teamed.

Back and forth.

Two toddlers and two preschoolers 

soothing, dancing, feeding, napping, running, holding, wiping and corralling.

And a quick kindergarden pick-up.

All while tackling 60 pounds of tomatoes.

At one point, I looked around and it was like a bomb had gone off.

Toys everywhere, toddlers needing naps.

Muffins, crackers and tomato juice on every kitchen surface.

By the end, we had a clean house, rows of jars cooling...

and somewhat happy but tired kids.

That mix of good work and good friends...

it is really pretty amazing.

Then tonight...

I was finishing up some laundry and I heard the kids screaming.

I felt a little desperate because I just wanted to sit on the couch for a few minutes.

Upstairs I went...

thinking it was going to be a really long night.

I took a photo of the stove clock as I went by to send to Michael at work.

But when I got to their door and it wasn't screaming...

it was laughing.

Eva was giggling and making bark/chirp sounds.

Which made Theodore laugh hysterically.

His encouragement made Eva laugh even harder.

On and on it went.

Sister and brother keeping each other awake.

 Laughing.

I tried to record it, but you couldn't hear it.

So I just sat a listened in the hallway.

The laughs got shorter and softer.

Then it turned to giggles and then quiet.

Both asleep.

Right when I started to stand up I heard Eva.

See you in the morning my Feeadore.