Apple pickin'

Last Friday I impulsively packed the kiddos into the car and drove to a local apple orchard.  It turned out to be a beautiful day for it!  The sun came out, the predicted rain never appeared and the kids had loads of fun tromping around exploring the orchard.

Besides coming away with 2 bushels of apples for only $20, it was lovely to see my three enjoying the outdoors a bit. 

I usually remember to throw my camera into my purse for outings such as these but I don't always remember to snap any pictures.  We were QUITE the sight to see.  I was hollering, leading and instructing three kiddos (one of which is semi-permanently attached to my hip) to the correct apple trees, messenger bag over my shoulder with supplies, two bags in hand for gathering fruit and my camera out snapping photos.

Even the lady handing out bags at the market didn't think I'd be able to swing it.  I told her I wanted two bushel bags.  Simple, right?  But then she saw my crazy wild bunch she said, "I'll give you one thick bag and one thin bag in case you don't fill it all the way up.  These thick bushel bags are really expensive and I don't want to waste them."  My tongue doesn't respond quickly these days (and that's probably a blessing in disguise) so I just nodded, took the bags and escaped her demeaning looks.  [Don't worry, said lady apologized to me later when I came to pay for my two full bushel bags of apples.  She said, "I really didn't think you'd be able to pick so many!"  Just because I have small children doesn't mean I'm not a serious picker, lady!]


On outings such as this, I get a kick out of spying out other young families in the rural setting.  We saw two other families out picking this time around.  The first was a small family with mom and dad and two small girls. They weren't really picking at all -- just taking cute photos and trying to keep the girls clean.  It made me smile.  Especially as I looked at my own children who, by this time, were neither cute nor clean.  The other family we noticed was more of an entourage.  Grandparents, parents and other relatives were all cooing and excitedly helping two small children pick apples.  Again it was papparazzi time as their adorable cherubs snatched apples from limbs and beamed in the sunshine.


I'm not judging here; it truly was sweet to see such doting and vicarious enjoyment in the faces of the relatives.  I have been in those same shoes when I had fewer children and my family was in town visiting.  But usually I'm not in that doting zone and it's interesting to watch it from afar. I'm about pragmatism and survival when I'm out alone with my three short people.  As I kept Solomon from eating rotten apples from the ground, I smiled and was grateful for my dirty happy children.  Plus did I mention we came away with 2 bushels of apples and some pretty cute pictures to boot? 


Chloe especially enjoyed climbing a particularly low apple tree.  In general she likes to be outside but she's definitely more of an indoor cat.  So it was a big surprise to me when she said, "Mom, if we had an apple tree in our backyard, I wouldn't need any toys at all!"

For now we're enjoying eating lots of fresh apples and I'm slowly working on peeling, coring, chopping the fruit for applesauce.  So far I've made two batches of spiced crockpot applesauce, an apple crisp and an apple snack cake (which delectably included walnuts and butterscotch chips).  Yumminess!

Now I just wish I had more time or more hands to get these suckers peeled, cored and chopped so they can get off my countertop!  I sure am thankful that apples have a long shelf life.

What's your favorite way to cook with apples?   I'd love to hear your recipes and get some new ways to use these Jonathans and Cortlands up!

Can you tell she's used to pausing so mama can take her picture? 

The apples were tasty but a bit tough for toddler chompers.

Tree climbing is SO FUN!

These strange-looking apples came home with me too.

Perfectly safe Solly seat!

Solomon LOVED being a big boy sitting in the tree with his sibs!

Classic Clive expression as he expounds and enlightens.

Clive was serious about his apple picking.  For about 1 minute that is.  Quickly he discovered that carrying a bag with more than 5 apples was too heavy for his little 3 year old arms.

Eating help!

Now that I'm a mom of three, I'm learning how true the adage is that "Every child is different".

Overall, our Solomon is an extremely easy baby.  I'm not sure if that's because of his temperament, birth order or gender.  Or maybe it's just because I'm a much more laidback mom now than I was with baby #1.  And even though each child is different, I feel more equipped with tricksy mom tactics up my sleeve now that I've been at this a few years. 

Another adage I'd like to pen when it comes to children is this, "You can make a kid do almost anything -- anything but sleep and eat."

Segue to my one big issue with dear smiley Solomon Asher Horn -- EATING.  He is 10.5 months old now and wants to be independent in all ways possible.  (This tyke is already climbing up our steep staircase, trying to throw balls, and standing up and rocking himself on the pint-sized rocking chair.  Slow down, baby!)

Hence, the feeding struggle.  He wants to feed himself. Fine.  But he only has 5 teeth, some of which aren't even through all the way.  So chewing most foods is a problem.  He wants to hold his own spoon. Great.  But he also likes to play with the spoon and fling food off it catapult-fashion.  That's not so great.

My feeding strategy for Solomon is all about DISTRACTION.  I place Solly-sized chunks of soft foods on his tray and also give him a *distractor* utensil or toy.  That way he usually has two hands occupied so I can sneakily slide a spoonful of something into his mouth.  It's a dangerous and risky business this.  Truly.  I'm constantly looking for the right moment to sneak my spoon in and trying to avoid detection by Solly.  And believe me, it's not pretty when he gets a hold of or knocks away my baby-food-laden spoon.  (The picture above is evidence of our daily feeding mess.)

Because we go through this crazy eating rigamaroll Solomon usually doesn't eat enough solids during the day.  Which means he wakes up at night to be fed.  UGH.  He's been sleeping well through the night since 5 months and I will do anything it takes to keep him (and me!) sleeping well. 

I need your help and advice!  Have any feeding tips or food suggestions for me to try with my messy boy?