Just another reminder that I'm a full-fledged mom

I'm a sucker for sentimental activities. They just scream, "Sweet family time!!!" to me. All month long, we've been wanting to go to an apple orchard but it never seemed to be the right time. Finally, yesterday was the day. And it was the perfect time to go.

Gorgeous weather. No crowds. And we got lots of fruit for c-h-e-a-p.

First stop, the raspberry bushes which I didn't even know would be there. At first, Madeline didn't want to eat them. Which, of course, we fully supported and encouraged her not snacking before paying.

But then she liked them. A lot. And she probably ate her weight in those little red berries. I can't blame her. I ate one too (just to make sure we weren't going to pay for junk, of course) and in all seriousness yelled out to Joe, "These are the freshest-tasting berries I've ever had!"

I am a walking brainiac.

Anyways, we collected 1.5 pounds of berries. We paid $2.90. Can I repeat that? Two dollars and ninety cents for A POUND AND A HALF OF RASPBERRIES. A tiny, tiny carton at the grocery store is $4.99. Get thee to a raspberry patch.

I remember picking strawberries and blueberries with my family when I was little. I remember it as hot, sticky and boring.

But picking these raspberries yesterday was so much fun. I loved watching Madeline toddle up and down the tiny hills, searching for splashes of red so she could pluck the berries with her chubby fingers. It was one of those moments when I just had to breathe deep and focus. "This is going to be a memory to cherish. Take it in."

I also had waaaaay too much fun thinking of all the ways I want to use those raspberries.

To sum up the raspberry picking adventures, it probably means when Madeline is 11 or 12, she will be complaining of raspberry-picking torture. C'est la vie.

Then we headed to the apple trees for some pictures but not for picking apples. It was too late in the season and everything had already been picked. But we did pick up a bushel of apples for $7 at the front. I have to admit: I felt rather biblical buying a bushel.

And we got some cider. Which was the freshest-tasting cider I've ever had. It was like drinking liquid apples. I wish we bought 27 gallons.


And of course, Madeline picked out a pumpkin. She was happy to find one she could carry.

We are definitely going next year. Now I just need to figure out how to make applesauce and apple butter with a bushel of apples. A catastrophic post may follow.