First Field Trip: APPLE ORCHARD

     Fall is my most favorite time of the year. I love that you can wear sweaters. I love that God allows us to see things fade into different, beautiful colors. Fall also means school is in session and field trips are a must. Thursday, September 22, 2011, was Mathen's first school field trip and we went to the Apple Orchard near Fort Calhoun, NE (about a 25 min drive from the school). Parker stayed home with Grandma which allowed this trip to be just me and my big boy (and the other kids and parents as well). The day of the trip, the class made apple tarts from scratch. The kids peeled the apple (with an old fashion apple peeler), mixed all the ingredients, rolled the dough and finally assembled the tarts. The teacher said the only hands that touched the tarts were the students themselves...how awesome that my 3.5 yr old got to bake all by himself at school. We need to do more of this at home soon :) Also, Grandma made an apple pie the next day with some of the apples...it was delicious!!

Here are pictures from the day:

He was patiently waiting for me to come see his creation. It tasted really good too!

Mathen and Penelope carrying their tarts to the playground for the picnic before the field trip. 

Little playtime after lunch. The weather was so nice.

Boys and sticks...he was excited that he could use it to write in the dirt.

Killing some time while the other parents unloaded their kids.

Watching Mrs. P write all the names on the apple bags.

I promise there were more kids...Mathen & Penelope just like to walk with the teacher while Molly and I walked behind them :) 

Holding Mrs. P's hand...I adore that he allows other adults to care for him and that he shows his love for them as well.

Each kid was given and bag to fill so we were off to fill his bag. 

Two at a time seemed to be the theme.

Molly helping Penelope.

Pull Penelope, pull.

These kiddos are great friends :)

First try to show off the apples...Mathen got tickled because his bag was so heavy.

Here are all the apples we picked Mom!

Looking at more apples.

Showing the apples to Mrs. P.

Headed off to see what was next on the agenda.

Taking a moment to chat.

Peekaboo around the tree with Mathen.

Peekaboo around the tree with Penelope.

The other kids were still picking apples so M & P took a little break to ponder life's questions.

Sometime I wonder what 3 yr olds talk about when we can't hear them.

Giving P a hug :)

Mommy & Mathen 

Molly and Penelope

These next pictures are from Mathen...he did a great job!

Sherrie Marie

Some scenery and clouds.

Class gathering to listen to Mr. John (I think was his name...I forgot to remember it hahaha)

Telling about the many apples and how he picks them.

Putting the apples on the conveyor belt.

I took these last 3 pictures. 

Waiting for the apple to come around.

Here they come...

Most of the class and some parents. 

It was a fantastic day and the weather was magnificent. I'm so glad my big boy enjoyed his first field trip and I'm looking forward to many, many more with him. 

WALK this way

Mr. Parker man has started WALKING! Grandma Shae and Mathen were privileged to witness his first official steps this afternoon. He made this walk half a dozen times then he went back to crawling...his little legs have to work up the stamina to handle all this new walking. Mathen is extremely excited for brother and his new accomplishment. I can see some new games starting soon between my two precious boys.

Mommy is so proud of you Parker! I can't believe you just turned 10 months and look at you go!

Mathen & Parker are growing

My Mathen started preschool on the 8th and he really enjoyed his first day. My baby is turning into an amazing little man. He helps me with Parker, cleaning, cooking and of course, we go outside usually everyday to play baseball (off mommy's pitch). He is very active with all sports. We are eager to see what sport(s) he will choose to play as time goes on. His personality matures daily. Today he said the sweetest prayer before dinner thanking God for family. It was so simple, so innocent and so beautiful coming from his heart (we usually recite the same one every evening). His imagination is incredible and it challenges me to stay constantly involved in our conversations. He is becoming more independent but he still requires cuddle time which I will cherish always.

Little Parker is turning into quite the mover. He will be 10 months on Wednesday (14th). He already has his third tooth coming in and I do believe the fourth will be in soon. He has been a trooper and doesn't fuss too much but I do know the times that his teeth are bugging him because he wants to be with me more often. He pulls up on everything and can pretty much get anywhere he wants by walking along whatever items are in his path. He feels very accomplished when he learns something new...he grins so big! He plays patty-cake and loves for Mathen to sing & dance for him.

They are becoming best buddies and they melt mommy's heart when they interact. I'm preparing myself for a ton of wrestling between the two because they already climb all over each other, me and Rick.

Here are some other pictures you might enjoy.