We're up to our eyeballs in apples--10 bushels. We're making applesauce like crazy.



Have you ever gone picking apples in an orchard? We do every year. It's such a nice fall tradition: "testing" apples to see if you like that tree's produce, the kids running under branches or yelling for mom and dad to "look at this one!," filling the baskets and pulling them and a kid in the wagon, looking at the bee hives, enjoying tromping through the orchard and being in the country and breathing a sigh of relief that time slowed down enough to allow you to amble. It's romantic and satisfying way down deep inside.

Then we come home and fill the house with wonderful apple smells for an entire week.



Well, this year we set out to repeat the experience. We hopped in the car with our sights set on an orchard 45 min. away. The crop in the area where we live was decimated by cold so we just decided that we would enjoy the drive to the distant orchard on such a beautiful day. An hour later we had not arrived at our destination. We followed the directions, but no orchard. We were in the country, still enjoying our trip, but decided to follow the road a bit longer. Of course, there were no gas stations or stores, so we stopped at 4 or 5 roadside pull-offs during the excursion to let the kids relieve themselves. When we finally did find a gas station they only had a port-a-potty out front. We pulled to the side of the road just down the way.

By now we were two hours into our road trip and ready to get there. The potty breaks were getting annoying and the roads were narrow and windy. I was nauseous and cranky. The kids were whiny. Jon was unsuccessfully looking for football games on the AM radio.

We had finally given up on the original orchard and had set our sights on one down the road. By the way, we were now in another state. We called a friend to Google the orchard we knew of. Three friends and six calls later we had our directions. He hung up and announced that it would be another 45 min. and that we would get there about thirty minutes from closing. Groan.

So this is the mindset we were in when we saw this:



They had one of these...



And one of these...



Oh, and did I mention that it was a gas station too. How convenient for us.



The guy in the red shirt owned the produce market, the gas station, and an orchard about 10 miles away in the country. No one ever ventured to his orchard so he bought this roadside spot. Well, the guy in the red shirt got rich off us. We bought 11 bushels on the spot and fed the carousel quarters until we ran out.

Maybe we'll go find a pumpkin patch next.

Presidential Walking

We (the kids and I) decided to do the presidential fitness challenge. Adults are required to do 30 min./day, 5 days a week, for 6/8 weeks in order to meet the goal. Kids have to do 1 hr. of activity. So, for every school day (except Tues. for our homeschool group day) we get up and walk before school. It's been a wonderful way to jump start our days and to get exercise. The boys usually ride their bikes and Gem and Sinatra and I walk. Sugar either rides along in the stroller or in a pack on my back.



We often walk a lovely trail that follows the watershed and weaves through the woods and along the creek. We also sometimes follow the trail to the middle school close by--especially if it's 8:15 and all the buses are arriving. Sinatra loves to watch them and wave at the drivers. They honk and wave back. Big fun!

Boxing?

You know that kids actually play with the box instead of the present that was inside? Case in point:

Labor Day

Labor Day was a while ago, but I just didn't post until now. We did school that morning and went swimming with friends in the afternoon. Here are some shots from our last trip to the pool for the summer.

Sinatra ate popcorn most of the time, but did manage to get his hair wet even though he never went further than the stairs. This shot looks like it's sideways, but the boy actually leaned that far back for the photo op.



A year ago this kid wouldn't even put a swimsuit on let alone jump into the water.

Up for Fall

The kids helped clean out the garden last week. They pulled up the now scrawny tomato plants,



and the sunflowers.



The boys hunted sunflower seeds in the large heads...



And then dismantled the stalks and did what any BOYs would do with them.







After the duel was over they followed their dad, who ripped up the soil with his little rototiller, picking up weeds and throwing them over the fence.

We're ready for fall!

Some Sweetness for Sugar

Today I went out the mailbox and retrieved a large, soft manila envelope--the kind that makes you toss the bills, ads, and other personal mail aside and run for the scissors. I knew what this one was before opening it though. It was from our friend, Luci, and she sends the same wonderful item to each of my little ones. I was just so curious about the colors and style though. So I ripped open the package and pulled out the sweetest little blanket.

Here's Sugar with it. Of course, it has to be taste tested.



Thanks, Luci! As you can see, she seems to like it.



All smiles.





And a little bit of love for Gem.

First Day of Homeschool Group

She slept from 8:30-11:30. It was a dream for me. Our group meets from 9-12 and 1-3. She woke up during lunch to smile at everyone. I couldn't have scripted it better. Thank you, Lord.



Here is Popcorn with his best friend at lunch. It was chilly today so they wanted to sit in the sun.



Gem sat with old and new friends at lunch. She loved school today and came home eager for tomorrow to begin--our first day of homeschool.



Shakespeare in his class with my best friend, Melissa--the tutor. Melissa's son is also in the class, but he ducked down in his chair when he saw the camera. I'll get you, you silly little booger!



These last two pictures are from this morning. Jon went out last night and bought the kids gift bags and filled them with all kinds of treats to make their first day of school special: their favorite chips, mini Lego sets, Dr. Pepper in a bottle that looks like a football, a new hairbrush for Gem, mouse for the boys' hair (it's fun because it grows in their hand), mechanical pencils, and for Sinatra--a bobcat. The boy is obsessed with anything that is a manly machine. Bobcats seem to be at the top of the list right now, although Grandpa's Gator and "Monster Jeep" are heavy competitors.



And here is Popcorn getting his Lego set.