Apple Picking

I was THRILLED to take both (or all three) of my boys on their very first apple picking excursion!

We went to Valley Orchard near Rockford, and I just couldn't have picked a better place!!!

They're all about the apples- no kid amusement rides/distractions, no crowds, no parking/admission fees, no limitations to how many or even if you can pick your own apples. I had been reading E books about apple picking (from the library) to get him all excited about going.

I think he was trying to figure out how tall Teddy is.

E just loved being able to run around, pick apples, eat apples; and I loved not having to worry about him!

YUM!
He ate a whole apple for the first time.

Oh my goodness, these apples are delicious!!!!!!

I thought there was a little worm trying to eat my apples.

We almost all made it in the pic.

Oh wait, pumpkin picking is next week!

(Yes, we are reading library books about pumpkins, Halloween, & Fall as well)

Valley Orchard was just perfect for apple picking and we plan on going there again next year. It was a bit of a drive, further out than some outskirt suburban orchards, but it was what I remember about apple picking when I was little- it's all about the juicy apples and the fall weather. They had an adorable country barn store filled with all things 'yummy'. I couldn't have left without their homemade, apple cider glazed donuts- let me tell you, they were sooooo good!!!! We will be back for more apples & donuts.