Apples, Sunshine and More Mountains

This morning was Jeffrey's annual field trip to the apple orchard. It's one of our favorite places to visit and I'm sure we'll head back a few more times this year.

We woke to a dreary morning with predictions of a high of 72. We crossed our fingers that it would clear up in time for the trip. So both mom and boy dressed in layers, since the orchard is at the top of a "mountain" (that's what we call big hills in VA). I scrounged around until I found some rain gear for the two of us also. As we left the house we could see the sky clearing.

On the drive into town the sky continued to clear. By the time we arrived at the top of the mountain it was a gorgeous early fall morning. Except it wasn't 70. It was closer to 80 and climbing. Here we both were in jeans and layered shirts. I couldn't get him to take his undershirt off for anything.

While at the orchard the kids got to go to Apple School and learn about apples. Then we got a nice hayride and saw a 100-year old tree. It still bears fruit. Very cool. After that we were given some bags and went off to pick apples. The area open for picking had been pretty well picked over. There were not many lower apples (this place does a TON of field trips). Jeff and I walked a bit and finally I got him up on my shoulders where he reached a few. We decided to venture down the hill a bit to find some lower apples. After 5 minutes of walking I picked a row and decided that would be it. We found a couple of trees where he could reach several apples while on my shoulders. I wish someone had gotten a picture of it. We must have been quite the sight.

Afterward we settled in for a picnic with a view of the "mountains" that was to die for. Both of us were totally soaked in sweat so it was nice to sit for a few minutes. The teachers brought each of the kids apple donuts and some cider to go with their lunch. These apple donuts are totally to die for...mmmmmm.

After some play time with his friends, we picked out a few more apples and a gallon of cider. We also grabbed a cider slushy (half frozen cider). And to think when we got up in the morning I was looking forward to getting a cup of hot cider.

September in the Mountains

We awoke to a gorgeous morning here today. With nothing aside from soccer planned for the weekend, we decided to take off for the afternoon and head for the mountains. So after Jeffrey's soccer game we headed home, threw together a picnic lunch and hopped into the van.

We decided to head south to a hike that we'd never taken that was listed as a "family friendly" hike in our hiking book. We stopped on the way to the parking area to have our lunch. We found a great overlook with some gorgeous views. We hopped up onto the ledge and munched away. After a few minutes I realized it was the same overlook that I took these pictures 3 years ago. My how things have changed. But the day was the same gorgeous sunny day.




After we finished up lunch we continued South to the Wayside and headed out for our hike. We followed a fire path up the mountain (a rare thing in the Shenandoah, a hike that starts out up and ends coming down). The kids were very intrigued by a spring we passed by. They'd found some walking sticks and enjoyed sticking their sticks in the water.



Erin led for most of the hike up. Once we got to the top, it leveled out and followed the ridge for a while. We came out to an overlook with some amazing views. It was pretty steep so the kids had to be very careful. The views were amazing though. The hike continued on for another 1/4 mile or so before we came to another outcropping and overlook. This one was just pure perfection. The view of the valley was gorgeous. There was quite a bit more room so the kids could walk around a little. We all enjoyed this stop.



From there it was pretty quick down the mountain. We walked under another big outcropping that was almost like walking through half a cave. The kids thought it was really cool. As always down was quicker than up, although more stressful. Jeffrey's still not the most agile and had a few "leaps" where he almost rolled down the whole mountain. After a discussion of "safe hiking" practices he calmed down a little.

We all really enjoyed our hike and are looking forward to heading back into the mountains next weekend for some extended camping with some friends.

Oh yeah, and the green shirts thing...both kids are on the green team for soccer (although on different teams) so I wore my green in support. Then we rushed out so quick after soccer, no one took time to change.

Fully Dressed Without A Smile

Last weekend Jeffrey made his theater debut. Apparently he was so excited about it, he got bored and walked of the stage half way through the show. There were parts that he really loved. The summer show is all music and musical revues. There was a part from Annie that he really enjoyed. Erin fell in love with the section from Bye Bye Birdie. I was certainly a proud mommy watching them both sing their hearts out.





This is also the show where the kids get a chance to sing and prepare a solo. Erin picked "Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" from Annie. It was the perfect song for her. She worked and worked on it over the summer. There were probably a few hundred people in the auditorium, but she got up there in front of the mic and sang her little heart out. She was so excited. And mommy was sitting in the back of the auditorium with tears in her eyes. Daddy was emceeing the event and was able to go up to her and give her a big hug when she was done. A moment we'll treasure forever.

Back to Preschool

Jeffrey has been back to preschool for a week now. He LOVES being at school and has been asking when he'll get to go back since Erin's first days back in August. He's going 3 mornings a week now and been having a great time. There are a few new friends in his class, but also most of his friends from last year are there as well. We've got a field trip coming up next week where we will visit the apple orchard. Today he had his first time at show-and-tell. He decided to bring our "pet" caterpillars (apparently named Strawberry and Raspberry). He was so proud to bring them in to school in his jar.

I've used my mornings to get some errands done or take care of housework stuff. Three mornings a week without my little guy is going to take some getting used to.

Here are a few pictures from his first day back at school. He was in poser mode that morning and gave me some really cute pictures.

He's Grown Up Just A Little Since the Picture Above His Head

At the Faire

The annual trip to the Renaissance Faire was a fantastic time. Both the kids really had a blast and Tom and I always enjoy the music, folks, arts and of course the food and beer.

This year, Jeffrey decided to join Erin in the annual face painting. It was the first thing that Erin asked to do. This year Jeff wanted to get his face painted too. Erin chose to be a flower princess this year and Jeffrey wanted a spider on his cheek. They both sat so still while getting their designs. Both came out really cute.


Since it was a warmer day than last year, Erin decided not to wear her long Lucy dress. Jeffrey did wear his knight costume all day though. Erin wore her flower wreath, white leggings and a pretty blue/white "fairy" skirt. Both looked completely adorable. Jeffrey purchased a sword to adorn his costume with some money his Oma gave him.

We caught a couple of shows. The first was a St. George and the Dragon that the kids laughed and laughed at. Then our favorite Renaissance Man in the afternoon where Jeffrey got up in front of a few hundred folks and acted the total ham.

The highlight of the day, as always, were the bubble fairies. Erin and Jeff just LOVE making bubbles with the fairies. We brought the wand we purchased a few years ago, and Erin used her money from Oma to buy a second wand. Erin has gotten really good at making bubbles. Jeffrey tends to have more fun with popping the bubbles Erin makes. He did take a liking to the bubble fairy though. It was the same girl who was there last year, and she would play bubbles with the kids. Jeffrey made a big deal of making a bubble, then catching it on his wand and bringing it to her to make little bubbles inside. It was quite cute.




The day ended with a few minutes of listening to some music before a rain shower hit. We made a quick departure before the heavy rains hit. Still, we had to stop and grab a cheesecake on stick while dodging the rain drops.

What fun we can all have stepping back in time.

His Father's Son

We headed to the Renaissance Festival this weekend. It's always one of our favorite things to do. The kids had a blast. I'll put up some pictures later this week, but wanted to share this video. Jeffrey got the chance to go up on stage for one of the shows. The act is the Renaissance Man, and he's hilarious. He uses audience participation during his shows and our little man got that idea that he wanted to be part of the show. So he stood on a bench and waved his arms around. Before we knew it, there he was on stage, reciting lines and wearing a jiffy-pop hat. The video is about 3 minutes long and really worth watching. The best part is the last 10 seconds and Jeffrey's big death scene.