Apple Orchard

Nothing says Fall like a visit to the apple orchard. Especially when said visit takes place on a lovely Saturday morning in mid-October, when it is almost 70 degrees. We very much overdressed for this outing, but we had no idea it was going to feel so warm in the sun after all our nights of running the heat.

We were going to pick our own apples, but it was easier to just let Jacob wander the paths and then buy a bag of apples in the shop. He had a lot of fun picking apples off the ground, just like last year. The difference now is that he can throw them really far. There was also a big pile of hay to play on. We all brought home a little sampling of it in our clothes. Jacob's favorite part of the orchard was the maze. We spent quite awhile going around and around. In the middle were a bunch of animal statues, and he kept petting them. We realized that we need to get him to a farm sometime, because he kept calling the pig a "doggy."

We came home with a bag of Honeycrisp apples (my favorite), 2 slices of apple pie, and some strawberry preserves. Jacob and I were at the orchard earlier this summer helping to pick some strawberries, and it really made me want the preserves. I've only eaten half the jar in 4 days. Well, the baby and I have been eating them, so splitting it between 2 people isn't so bad, right?

This would have been a nice picture of Jacob and Mommy, but he decided to look away. Then he decided no more pictures.

Jacob pretending to eat an apple off the ground, just before throwing it.

Daddy needed to taste an apple off the ground too.


Daddy and Jacob in the maze

Sliding off the haystack, which was really fun and did not result in bringing home a bunch of hay in somebody's diaper

Fall is here!

The first part of September was nice and warm. Then it got cooler, and I realized it was time to dig out the warmer clothes I had set aside for Jacob. Then I realized that most of the pants were too big, so we raided the consignment shop. The third week had him back in shorts. Laundry has been interesting lately. His closet and dresser are bursting with a 2-season wardrobe, but I think the days of shorts and t-shirts are finally behind us and I will be able to put the summer clothes away.

Last night was the first night he wore his fleece PJs, and we also had to turn the heat on. At least it was October for most of the time that the heat was running, that makes us feel a little better.

Today Jacob and I went to a park in Lakeville called Ritter Farm Park with some friends. We've never been there before, and it was a great place. There are lots of trails to walk on, ponds to look at, and an apple orchard. While we were walking, we saw a deer running off into the trees. Jacob thought that was pretty cool. I think we'll be back there again soon. No bugs + fall colors = a good time.

He likes to say "cheese," but never looks at the camera. Notice the winter coat and hat, which are always fun to pull out on the first day of October. It was sunny, but not quite 50 degrees when we were at the park. In March, we would be wearing t-shirts!

I call this one "Kid who thinks he's big stuff standing on a rock"

Running up a hill, actually coming to me when I called him!

Running again, and no--he didn't end up in the water!

Taking a stroll with his friend Scarlett. She kept trying to hold his arm, but he wouldn't let her. We need to work on his gentleman skills.