Blue Ridge Apple Picking and Amicolola Falls State Park

A favorite family fun day activity is to go on our annual Apple Orchard adventure. This year was especially fun because the orchard allowed you to pick your own apples during a few weekends in September. Even though it was officially fall...it was HOT!! We did not let that stop our fun! The boys loved getting to taste all kinds of apples. I loved getting to pick only the little apples. They are the perfect size for our little hands....which leads to less waste. Our favorite apple was the Ambrosia variety.



Dixon and Matt on the tractor ride up into the orchard.

Porter and Julie on the ride.

After apple picking, sampling homemade goodies and eating some fried apple pies, we left and headed to the state park. We found a great picnic spot and enjoyed our picnic supper then headed to the playground. While I was packing up the picnic food, I spotted a long lost friend, Jeff Hibbert. He and Marigold were there with their kids. What a great coincidence. We were able to introduce our children to each other and visit for about an hour while the kids played. Such a special treat for our family fun day!

After we said good-bye to the Hibberts, we drove to the top of the mountain. Porter was unhappy that the park was closing and we had to leave. This is a face I often get to see....thought you might like a peek!!

Dixon was in good spirits. He loved the big slide at the playground where we had our picnic.

Uncle Joseph comes to visit

One of the first names that Dixon could pronounce, fairly clearly was 'Joseph'. As a result, he has a fast friend. Dixon loves to play with Uncle Joseph and keeps him hopping when we go to Nanny and Papa's house. It was a fun treat to have Uncle Joseph come to our home for an afternoon.

Joseph and Dixon looking at the salt water tank at the Nature Center.

Porter also loves the Nature Center.

The favorite tank....TURTLES!!

Playing on the playground at the park. Joseph was very patient with the boys and just let them play as long as they wanted.

After our day of playing at the park and looking at animals, Uncle Joseph headed off for the rest of his vacation. He was kind enough to treat us to a yummy, yummy Chinese dinner. Thanks!!!

We love having visitors...come again.

Fishing Memories

After school started, Porter started having some behavior problems at home. After many nights of yelling and crying, we thought that maybe he just needed some one on one time with his Dad. So, what better way to spend quality time on a budget? Go Fishing!!!

Porter and Matt enjoyed their morning together and Mom loved having a happy kid the next week!

Rainy Day Play

We were blessed with some rain this week and I could not resist letting the kids run around and play. It was just a rain shower not thunder and lightening. They had a blast running and playing.

Kindergarten Rocks!

Porter has started another school year. We have learned that Kindergarten is an academic grade and not just play time. He is adjusting pretty well, his main problem has been talking too much or being rowdy at lunch. He is excited for all of the new stuff he will learn in kindergarten. One of his favorite things is that now he gets to his side items at lunch. (In Pre-K the lunch ladies just gave them a pre-made tray.)

My sleepy-head on his first morning.

Please, Please, Please Tell Me It is a Phase...

Porter has started a horrible thing. About every third sentence out of his mouth begins with " I hate....". It is driving me nuts!! Completely aggravating, yelling , mad!! I have asked him to stop saying that, etc. He really frustrating part is that about 80% of the stuff isn't something he dislikes. He simply likes the phrase....I'm guessing.

To bring home the point, I told him that the next time he said that at the dinner table, I was going to make him eat a huge spoonful of whatever the items was. He then asked me what I meant. I explained again that whenever he says "I hate....." then I would get a huge spoonful of that food and he would have to eat it. Mr. Smarty-Pants was really quick with his next thought....'Mom, I HATE watermelon!" I was dumbfounded...seriously...I had to walk into the laundry room to keep from just freaking out on him!!! He then yelled, "Mom, did you hear me? I HATE watermelon!!" "Aren't you gonna cut the watermelon and make me eat it?"

Let's just say that Matt stepped in and quickly told Porter to cut it out and behave. I just went to work on laundry and tried not to laugh or cry too loud!!

Summer Conference in Augusta

The only trip (besides the wedding) for our summer was to tag along with Matt to his GVATA summer conference. We played while he was in meetings all day.

One activity was to go to the other side of the conference area and let the boys run wild. Here is Dixon in action.

Taking a quick break from the racing.

Porter also was sword fighting the "bad guys" getting them put under arrest.

Taking care of more bad guys.

Finally, the victor!

Another activity was walking along the riverwalk. We spent a lot of time doing this fun activity.

Sliding at riverwalk park.

Taking a break from the play ground.

We counted the animals we would pass. The highest count was 13 turtles and 8 ducks, 1 egret, 2 squirrels and lots of fish. We even learned that the turtles and ducks would eat our pretzels.

One afternoon we learned that the science center offers half price admission near closing time. So we packed up the stroller and headed down the riverwalk to visit the science center. The had a lot of exhibits but most of it was over our head. Porter did enjoy sitting on this motorcycle though.