Apple Orchard

It's always funny to me how life balances itself out so beautifully. 

Some days, I just want to literally sit and cry. Everything is going wrong

and I feel so alone in the world. My husband is working late too often

and the kids are being especially naughty and it's really hard to

keep my patience and reasoning about me. I yell too loudly at them and 

it hurts my sensitive Kate's feelings. My neighbors overhear and I feel like

a really crappy person and parent. In those moments, it feels like things

will never get better and I just want to throw in the towel. 

Yes, I have those days. I think we all do. 

But then there are those other days. 

The ones that happen just like in the movies.

Music swells at the exact right moments.

You know, the kind of music at the beginning of

"Father of the Bride"... the kind that just puts you in

that perfect frame of mind and you feel like you are in that movie? 

The girls play beautifully together. They are sweet,

and loving to each other and to me. I handle spats with grace

and feel like I've got all my stuff together. Those days make

all the other not so great days totally worth it. 

 It seems like those days happen more often for me

around this time of the year. I feel like such a good parent 

when they get to add more good memories to the childhood

 chapter of their lives. I love when I can feel those moments happening

as they are happening and take that second to appreciate it.

Apple picking is always as fun as it is a lot of work. Getting ready to go and picking
outfits, the drive down there and mentally preparing to chase the kids through a
farm is exhausting. That said, I love it. I love all of it. I love that they see where apples
come from and that learn when apples are ready to be picked. They fill their baskets as
full as they can get them and are so proud of their treasures. Ella eats all the apples
that her little tummy can hold and it's just a really fun experience every year.

When we get home, however, there's is always the really big question.
What the hell is one supposed to do with $40 worth of apples and a whole gallon of apple cider?

First, comes the task of washing all this produce.
My girls ADORE doing this. We got an organic fruit and veggie wash from Trader Joe's
that works wonders. After a trip to the grocery store they are all waiting for me
to unpack the produce so they can each have their turn cleaning it.

 

Each apple that Ella washed was promptly given a kiss. So adorable, this child.

Then, get creative. Apples in all lunches with a side of nutella for dipping. Apple cupcakes.
Apple cider margaritas (SOOO good!!) and lastly, apple crumble...

 

and as if that's not enough, we get to experience Disneyland all "fall"ed out!

I hope you are all enjoying your autumn as much as I am!!

I'll leave you with a bit of chocolate wrapper wisdom from NC...