Fall is here!

At first you may think everything pumpkin spice, leaves changing and pumpkins, but what about apples?

Every year I say that we will go apple picking and every year I seem to forget that it is fall until October and miss picking season. This year I made sure to make it happen in September! (So proud of myself! It only took 5 years to make it happen!)

Here in Colorado, the town of Penrose is known for its apple orchards and picking. We chose to go to 3rd Street Apples and were not disappointed!

Upon arrival, they provide baskets (lined with bags for taking home) and wagons to put the baskets in so the kids do not have to carry them around. And well, let’s face it – it saves us parents from carrying multiple baskets when the kids don’t want to carry them anymore!

Each of the trees were labeled with the type of apple tree it is. I loved this at the beginning but soon realized my children were picking from multiple trees like crazy and putting them all into the baskets. Once we got home I had no idea what apples we had!

3rd Street Apples also built in several areas for picture opportunities (my favorite part with my picture addition!). These included fun faces on some of the trees, a ladder into a tree, an old trailer with hay and fall decorations with their sign above. The best photo ops were the trees themselves! Sister bear loved climbing the trees to get to apples.

It was so much fun to pick on our own and for the kids to see what an apple orchard looks like and to know where the apples came from when we buy them at the store. On our way home, we talked about how seeds are planted, tended to, trees grow, and then fruit comes. When the fruit falls to the ground and rots, more seeds are planted for future trees. We discussed how this process takes time, but is worth the fruit we are able to get. Once the trees are mature, there is less of a wait to get fruit.

Not only is this a good lesson about where food comes from and how nature works, but it is also a good way life works. Fruit does not come by luck or when it is demanded. We must plant seeds in all areas of our life and tend to that seed so that we may have fruit in our life. Many people think our kids are just naturally well behaved. (**Disclaimer** They are not always well behaved and have their own battles we work on that may be different from other kids). Let me tell you right now, it is not by accident! I plant into them. I pay attention to them and show interest in what they show interest in to build our relationship. We let them know our expectations up front and that there will be consequences for not obeying or respecting us. If you are struggling with your kids not behaving, get resources to help you to learn how to plant into them! My two favorite places to learn are Mom Mastery University (you can start with a free boot camp HERE or go to Love and Logic HERE). Those are the two things I have followed and have not been disappointed!

I was hoping for more activities for the kids when we were there, but once we started picking I was so grateful for them to not be overstimulated and enjoy picking! If you have not gone apple picking with your kids I highly suggest it! The only thing I would change next time is to put a limit on the amount we pick up front. I gave them each a basket for which they filled until their baskets overflowed. It ended up being 3 full baskets and 27 pounds! I have blessed SO many people with apples it is not even funny! Plus, we still have over 10 pounds to bake with today!