As We Go - Apple Picking

The other night I was struck with the realization that summer's days are numbered.  As we sat down to dinner, the kitchen was darker than it had been (because it was rainy), and that made me think of the coming darkness of winter.  That makes me sad.

BUT... we still have fall to make that transition easier.  And I love fall!  Crisp, cool weather.  Trips to the orchard.  Pumpkin pie!!!

Somehow we missed all the berry picking that the summer months offer.  So we got started early with our fall picking (apples and peaches from Lyman Orchards).

Last year Big Boy had his first apple picking experience.  He was one and a half and I wasn't sure how well he would do.  He LOVED it.  It was so much fun to watch him go nuts... he knew exactly what he was there to do with absolutely zero instruction.  This year he had a blast again.

Little Man thought it was great too!  We put him close to some low branches with fruit he could reach from his stroller and his face lit up immediately.

What is it about picking that is so much fun to these little tykes?  I can't say for sure, but it's wonderful.

Spending the day at the orchard is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, and an opportunity to explore new textures (smooth apple, fuzzy peach), sights (sunlight peeking through the trees and casting shadows, rows of trees, the contrast of the red fruit in the green tree), and smells (fresh, sweet fruit hanging in the trees...and some not so fresh, squashed fruit that has fallen from the trees) you don't experience everyday.

Not to mention, there was certain two year old who was very proud to eat apple crisp made from apples he picked from the tree all by himself!