Pumpkins and Apples

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We have been putting off apple picking this year because it has been so hot. In fact, we had put it off so long that I became concern there would be no apples to pick. So yesterday (enjoying the much cooler weather), we went to our favorite pumpkin patch, Hollin Farms, and decided we would both pick apples and select our pumpkins. I believe this is our tenth visit to Hollin Farms. You can read about some of our previous experiences here and here and here. 

It is about an hour drive to Hollin Farms and, this year, we decided to listen to Little House in the Big Woods as we drove to the farm. I have read several of the Little House books with Meg and Clare, but Anne was just a baby at the time we read them. Meg and Clare recently insisted that we read Little House in the Big Woods to Anne and I was happy to oblige. I enjoy reading these books aloud myself, but the Cherry Jones narration on Audible is exceptional. 

Hollin Farms is located at a very high elevation, which is part of the reason we love it. The views from the farm are amazing. The pumpkins and apples themselves are located on a particularly steep hill. Pulling a heavy duty wagon, we climbed passed the pumpkins and into the apple trees. Because it is late in the season, we had to walk passed numerous rows of empty apple trees before finding apples. 

Once we finished picking apples, we carefully walked down the hill to the pumpkins. Anne found her pumpkin immediately. Meg wanted a whitish gourd and after a bit of searching, she found what she was looking for. Clare wanted a perfectly round, traditional jack-o-lantern type pumpkin. She searched and she searched. We all searched and yelled out recommendations to her. After comparing her top two contenders, she settled on a pumpkin. Finally.

Following our visit to Hollin Farms, we headed to near by Sky Meadow State Park. We discovered this state park last fall. The children's area is incredible. I found a bench and sat at a distance that allowed the kids to be fully absorbed in their own imaginations without my meddling. The play areas are perfect for imagining the Little House books or the Oregon Trail. The girls played together so well and I watched from a distance. 

Some of you might be wondering why we didn't bring our dog, Cubby, as we did last year. The truth is, we wanted to. As we were preparing to leave, he was in the backyard chewing on a steak bone. He refused to come to me when I called him. I tried to persuade him with cheese, meat and peanut butter. He would just grab his bone and run away. I finally gave up. Hopefully Cubby will decide to join us next year, but I think he rather enjoyed his quiet afternoon in the backyard with his bone. 

After a long ride home and listening to more Little House in the Big Woods, Anne and I wrapped up the day by reading the picture book Autumn is for Apples by Michelle Knudsen. We love Michelle Knudsen's books--particularly Library Lion. Autumn is for Apples is a great way to end a day of apple picking.