Apple Picking

The family went apple picking!  Michael was so excited to spend the afternoon outside among the trees and grass and his family.  This time we went to Chapin Farm.

Michael looked into the big vat of Apples and picked out a bag.  We were not there for already picked apples, today we were going right to the trees.

                                          Andy and Justin came with us and soon went off in search of
                                        the elusive Wooden Apple hidden somewhere in the orchard
                                         and if found you win an ipod.  Justin won it several years ago.
                                           No luck this year.

                                          Michael skipped down the path with bag in hand,
                                            sheer joy to be out and exploring among the trees.

                                           
                                             With Dad in tow, we followed the happy pair.

               
                                          Tammy, Lyndsie, and Grandma came along as well.

                                          There weren't many apples on the trees, and some were
                                          very high of the ones we found.  Jim showed Michael
                                           how to take an apple down with the picker.

                                          Michael liked to pull the apples from the picker and
                                           drop them into his bag.

                                              Then he was off to find a tree with apples on it.
                                            He lugged the bag until it was about half full and then
                                             he let his Dad carry it for him.

                                             I was so happy to be out in the sunshine, listening
                                           to other happy pickers, and being there to watch
                                           as Michael experienced apple picking with all his
                                           senses.

                                                  He loves his Lyndsie so!

                                                  With bags filled we made our way back up
                                                to the hayride to take us back to the barn
                                                and the animals and tractor.
                                                  Michael walked up with Lyndsie.

                                           

                                             Red apples on the tree, such a wonderful fall
                                                   picture.

                                             Sense of taste:  Juicy Apples!!

                                            Sense of wonder:  look at those eyes!

                                             Sense of sight:  pumpkin patches, vines, and trees,
                                              hillsides alive with scenery.

                                            Back at the barn Michael observed a working
                                           honey hive.  He watched them fly down to the
                                            hole that let them go in and out.

                                   











     Apples look so tempting when all together,
                                                         I love this picture!

Michael was so excited to peek into the bin
and just look at all those apples.

                                 
                                         
                                          Tammy went to the edge of the barn and sat down,
                                            looking out to the orchards, the fields, the children
                                            racing about with smiles and squeals.  I wondered
                                            what she felt.

Then she took Michael's hand and together the two

of them went over to the animals to see

the bunny and the chickens.

                                          One of the highlights of the trip for Michael was to
                                            climb up the tractor all by himself and sit in the
                                           driver's seat.

                                               He oohed and aahed at the pumpkins...another
                                              trip for them.

                                             Tammy and Justin took a breather

                                               while Lyndsie and Michael went back to the tractor
                                               and pretended to drive together.

                                           
                                         Look at the way they are staring at each other with
                                          such complete joy....breathless beauty.

What a beautiful time spent with family.  I love these experiences.  I love sharing simple moments of joy that
we can share with all we love.  I am amazed at how much love pours forth from Michael to all about him.
He is so special and I hope to continue to make moments special so his love for life and all will continue
to grow and spread.  I'm counting on it.

Allenholm Farm

Allenholm Farm with Michael and Nora

    Allenholm Farm
We traveled up to the Islands to check out how the apple trees were doing and what was being picked.  At the  farm the kids went crazy over feeding the animals and chasing the chickens.  Lots of laughter and great big juicy apple grins, a great morning.

                                                                 Michael and  Nora

                                         Had to stop first at the rabbits since Nora has one at home and
                                         could tell Michael all about them.

                                           The chickens and peacocks were fun to look at and some
                                          could get out and run about which were fun to try to chase.

                                         Then it was time to chat up the billy goats and to pet their
                                         soft fur.

                                           A pit stop to sit on a tractor and pretend to be the farmer
                                          was a must.

                                                Sitting together was the most fun for them!

                                           Then back to chasing chickens!

                                          Nora spotted the pony and that was all she saw.  We
                                         bought ice cream cones filled with food pellets and the
                                         kids fed them to the horses, cows, and goats.

                                            Jim got into it and fed the big ugly cow.  Yes this
                                           is what the female looks like!

                                             
                                           The kids stayed farther back from her.

                                            Then off around again to the chickens and

                                       
                                                      over to the sheared sheep.

                                               Nora spent time rubbing the sheep, lost in thought.

                                             Michael found the balance beam and determined
                                              to walk it.

                                            Nora showed him how to do it.

                                                Then they got on together.

                                                   Creeping towards each other...

                                            Sweet meeting with Dad aka "Uncle Jim" to Nora

                                                    Then a ride down the slide to end the morning.




                                              No Macs yet for picking, should  be ready this
                                          weekend.  We may try another orchard to see
                                          what adventures will come our way.

 

                                               
                                            I love the beginnings of Fall!

Turtles at Echo!

Echo Field Trip:  Learning about Turtles!

                                          This was Michael's first time really listening to a speaker.
                                        He was so curious and sat very well as the speaker talked
                                          of turtles.
                                   

                                            Michael liked to touch the shell of a turtle.

                                         
                                             The live turtle was very interesting to touch and examine.
                                           His head was pulled in and Michael touched the shell
                                            cautiously.

                                        After we went down to the beach where he loves to dig, to run,
                                        to see all the sights.
                                        We are learning at home about senses
                                         that we use and Michael listed all the things he could see,
                                        smell, hear, touch....and then we bought him an ice cream
                                         and he tasted with big grins!

                                       
                                           Michael is an amazing boy.  His joy in the moments, in the places
                                           he is planted, is a wondrous thing to share in.