Chudleigh's Apple Farm and more

Weather, if you're Canadian you spend a great deal of time and energy consumed with the weather.  Whether it's conversation, changing plans, or just trying to stay warm, the weather can really make life complicated.  Since moving to St. George the Jon Bacons like cold weather even less.  The weather this week has been unseasonably cold, but September is like that, unpredictable.  We had originally talked about going to the Island, Toronto Island.  I was looking forward to going again, but it was just too cold.  Then the back and forth began with what to do.  Michelle said she wanted to go to a farm and being recently reminded of Chudleigh's while reading a friend's blog (thanks Heather) we decided to go apple picking.  We had such a fun day, it was fantastic.

When we arrived we went to the petting farm area first.

Next it was on to the hay.  As a child going to Chudleigh's, there was a barn with a hayloft.  Now there is this huge area with hay bales all around it and slides in the middle.  There's also a sand pit on one side.  The kids had tons of fun going up and down the slides, I think Jon had fun too!

Next up was a little picture taking and pony rides!

After the pony rides all that was left was the apples, picking them and eating them!  I think at first it was only Michelle that wanted to pick apples.  I can't believe that I didn't want to pick apples.  I'm so glad that we listened to Michelle.  Picking apples was the highlight of the day!  We rode the wagon out to the orchard and then picked Silkens, Galas and McIntosh.  I hadn't eaten an apple fresh off of a tree in far too long.  Fresh apples off the tree are amazing.  All the kids had fun running up and down the rows of trees and picking apples.

After enjoying apple blossoms and apple pie we left the farm to go see Mom and Dad.  I was able to have another hug with A. Wendy before Mom took her to the airport.  After the Jon Bacons arrived we went for a swim.  Kate and Ken didn't come swimming but Alice the water baby and I played in the pool with the cousins for quite a while.  After the swim we had Swiss Chalet (thanks Mom) and then after a wonderful, long day, we made it even longer!!  Jon and Ken went to WEGZ to see the BYU game and Michelle and I went home to put the kids to bed and watch a movie.  The fun never ends!

A Conversation with Kate

The setting: Kate's room in bed, Mom and Kate are cuddling.

The conversation:
Me: Kate why do you hit Lucy?

Kate: Why do you hit Lucy?

Me: Kate, when Mom asks you a question you need to answer it.  When Mom says Kate, what colour is the sky? You say, the sky is blue.  When Mom says Kate, how old are you? You say, I'm two and a half.  When Mom says Kate, why are you eating? You say, because I am hungry.  Kate, why do you hit Lucy?

Kate: The sky is blue Mommy.

Bizzy Bees and a Dinner Party

Michelle and I both felt that a day without major car travel would be a nice/much needed break for the kids (and us).  So with that in mind we decided to stay in the New Tecumseth area.  Our first stop was Tim Horton's for timbits.  Once we had our doughnuts (technically doughnut holes) we traveled 20 minutes up to Alliston and took the kids to Bizzy Bees.  To say that Marcus, Seth and Lovey enjoyed their experience would be an understatement.  The kids had so much fun, us Moms had so much fun and we had the place entirely to ourselves!

 

 

The girls were sleeping when we got home so Michelle and I tidied up and eventually Ken and Jon both came home.  Ken started making a yummy Mexican themed feast for dinner.  Jon was returning from the trade show he had been working, which was the reason the Bacon visit worked out so nicely.  And then we waited for Mom and A. Wendy to arrive.  Dad is out of the hospital but ... he still isn't a free man!  He has care in the morning and care in the evening and he MUST be there, not to mention that my house isn't wheelchair accessible.  It would have been nice to have Dad come too, but it was nice for Mom to get out.  We had a lovely dinner and a lovely visit.  At the end of the evening, not being sure what tomorrow would bring, I said goodbye to A. Wendy.  I really hope that she is able to come over (the ocean that is) again soon.  

A family trip to the Science Centre

Michelle, the kids and I piled in the van and made the long trek from Tottenham to the city to go to the Science Centre.  Andrew picked up Auntie Wendy and met us there.  One of the things (and there are many things) that I love about the Science Centre is all the levels of enjoyment.  From Alice to Marcus, to the adults, there is something for everyone to learn and enjoy.  I know I read some things today and thought, wow, I didn't know that.  I can't remember what any of them are right now, but it felt good at the time... maybe I can think about it while I'm waiting for the pictures to upload...

We started out in the children's area.

After cave exploring, music making, house building, playing house, and rocking out it was time to move to space.

Next it was down stairs where we continued to explore and play.  The kids enjoyed the animated koi pond, the rain forest, learning about water, electricity, optical illusions and the whale bones.

After a fun afternoon at the Science Centre we went back to Mom and Dad's for dinner.  And if that wasn't enough fun for one day, I left Michelle at Mom and Dad's to go out to dinner with Jon and I took all the kiddies back home.  Ken was waiting for us and I was hopeful as I drove that the three kids that were asleep would stay asleep when we got home... no such luck!  Ken made popcorn and we watched movies and finally, one by one they all went to sleep.  Lovey was the last hold-out, I think she finally fell asleep around 11:30.  What a fun, but LONG day!