If you have never been cherry picking, I urge you to go. Even if you are not a fan of cherries, the experience is well worth it. Two years ago, we went cherry picking with my brother and his family. When we tried to go last year, it did not work out. The crop was late and we were out of luck. This year, we watched carefully and planned the weekend to go.
Two years ago, we had four adults, an almost five year old, just one year old and 10 month old with us. This time we had six adults (Nana and Papa joined us), an almost seven year old, just three year old, almost three year old and four and a half month old. Having two extra adults was a blessing. This year, we went to a new pick your own cherry location called Singer Farms. Our first impression was not the best thanks to too many people swarming and too little parking. After we got over trying to find a spot in weeds that were taller than our little car, we got situated. JSL was sleeping after the pre-cherry picking fiasco and so was the baby. Everyone else went over to get buckets to collect cherries.
When we got to the orchard, it was amazing. The trees were overloaded with tons of cherries. For as far as the eye could see, there were trees filled with different types of cherries. We stuck with the sweet cherries. As we were getting settled, JSL woke up and joined the picking crew. Nana helped the little kids some, but was also in charge of pushing sleeping BA around in his stroller.
The cherries were absolutely amazing. Each time we were ready to stop, more sucked us in. It was like ADD of the cherry kind "Oh look . . . pretty cherry!" Finally, after just under an hour, we decided that we had more than enough to feed all of us and many others. We carried our precious cargo back to get weighed so we could pay for them.
We mainly picked two kinds of sweet cherries. One was similar to a bing (or may have been) and the other looked like a rainer cherry. Those were definitely a fan favorite. They have a yellow hue to them and when you bite inside the flesh is light colored. The interesting part, they taste like a peach – without the annoying fuzz outside.
If you read my Tweets from our adventure, you know how many pounds we had. If not, what do you think?
I will end the suspense. We picked 33 pounds of cherry goodness. That beat our record of just over 22 pounds! We ate a lot of them Saturday throughout the day and Sunday morning. Then, we divided them up. We took about half of them home to share with others. Tonight, when the kids are in bed, there is a bowl of cherries with my name on it!
Thank you to Uncle I, Aunt M, Nana, Papa, SG and my boys for a wonderful experience with my extended family.
This weekend, I was a little busy. Thursday night, we went to visit my brother and his family out in western NY. We arrived rather late that night and my niece SG was sleeping. Thanks to this, the kids saw her at breakfast the next morning. Here, they bonded over cereal while we planned what to do on the rainy day since cherry picking was out.
We eventually made our way to the Buffalo Museum of Science. They had a new dinosaur exhibit that we thought the kids would love. Here is a preview of our time there:
When we got home, it was time for Uncle I to go to work for a little while. The kids played and even baby BA enjoyed tummy time fun with a little help from the bigger kids.
Saturday morning, Nana and Papa came to join us. As we started our journey to the cherry picking place, we had to stop and go back home. JSL decided to add some fun and excitement to the day. He was drinking water, started to gag – and well let’s just say he needed a change of clothing. We made our way to the cherry orchard and all you could see were trees chock full of cherries of all kinds. They were gorgeous. Before we knew it, we had picked a LOT of cherries. More about that coming soon. Here are a few photos of the cherry picking group and our delicious finds.
After this, we wandered at a Pirate Festival by Lake Ontario.
The views were gorgeous and the kids even enjoyed looking at the water below.
Once we had lunch, we wandered back to the house. The kids played outside for a while, we all had dinner and then it was time for bed. Sunday, we stayed until after lunch and then it was time to head home. It really was sad to say goodbye to Uncle I, Aunt M, SG and BA. We had a wonderful weekend with my brother and his family. The kids had so much fun together we can not wait to see them again.
During the summer, we often think about going to pick fruit in fields to eat fresh. My family does this since it is a great activity that we can all do together and have fun. My favorite is definitely cherry picking. While visiting my brother and his family we found a place that has mini-cherry trees that were perfect for picking.
When we were finished, we had over 22 pounds of cherries! Seems like a lot, but they were oh so delicious and managed to get eaten up by all of us and others that we gave them to.
This year, we had hoped to get to strawberry picking, but other commitments did not allow for this. We have done it in the past.
Although I love strawberries, I am not a huge fan of picking them. Do not like getting down into the dirt with the bugs. It is also harder for the kids to grab them since they are so easy to squish.
Fun in the fruit fields is not limited to the summer, we also enjoy apple picking in the fall. This past year, we went apple picking for the first time with the boys and had a wonderful adventure.
When we were finished, we had over 35 pounds of apples to eat, share, bake and make into different items.
With any luck, we should be going cherry picking again soon. Can not wait to see how the little kids do this time since they were in strollers on the last trip. This week’s question is inspired by all of the fruit picking adventures:
Do you go fruit picking with your family? If you do, what is your favorite item to get? If you have never gone, what do you wish you could go to pick fresh from the field?
Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.
Do you remember that moment? You know, the moment you saw the line on the pregnancy test and knew that you were having a baby. I remember both times pretty well.
Let me take you back to the end of December 2002. TechyDad and I had just gotten back from Las Vegas and were upset to learn that our digital camera had been stolen from our backpack while we were in the Pittsburgh airport coming home. We went to bed that night furious about the memories of Cows on Parade that were gone. Still, we both knew that the next morning our lives may change. We had bought a pregnancy test and I planned to use it first thing in the morning when I woke up.
At about 5 in the morning, I woke TechyDad up and told him that I had to use the bathroom. Unlike my usual self, I was having to make pretty frequent trips to the restroom. My teacher bladder had gone out the window, making us curious if I was indeed pregnant. So we went into the bathroom and I did my thing with the stick. We walked out and waited. When we both went back into the bathroom to check, we were greeted with a plus sign! We never took photos of that positive sign, but we did make calls to relatives at that early hour. We also made a special book of sonogram photos of NHL as he grew from a little bean shape into the little guy who would be born.
At the end of August 2006, just before I was heading back to teaching, I had a feeling that I was pregnant. We had bought a kit of ovulation and pregnancy tests to use. One morning, I left the bed and went into the bathroom while TechyDad still slept. I did the test and hardly had to wait. Within seconds I saw the following:
Yes, I took a picture later on. I planned to use this picture to e-mail to family and friends to announce that we were expecting our second little one. I did and it was fun seeing/hearing/reading their reactions. After I saw the positive test, I ran into the bedroom and woke TechyDad up telling him he was going to be a Daddy again! Over the next nine months, we took photos of me pregnant and kept the sonogram photos of the little guy who looked like this once he arrived on the scene.
What did you keep, document, or take photos of when you were expecting? Did you take a photo of your pregnancy test, or dare I ask . . . do you still have it? Yes, I’m serious. Apparently, people keep their positive pregnancy tests as keepsakes. When Mom Central asked people to sign up to tell people about our Mommy Moments, I signed up because it sounded like fun. As my baby days are behind me, I still cherish that time in my life.
Mom Central also let me in on the pregnancy test keeping thing. I had never heard of this before (I’m naive I guess) and E.P.T. is making it easier for those that want to keep their pregnancy test memories for years to come.
Yes, if you go to the e.p.t.. website you can read about their keepsake case and products. Here is a little more information:
According to a recent survey commissioned by the makers of e.p.t. brand, the top three pregnancy keepsakes are ultrasound photos, items from the delivery day and at-home pregnancy tests. What’s more, 67% of expectant mothers saved their at-home pregnancy test – the first proof that they were pregnant – for reasons ranging from showing it to a partner to saving it as a poignant life-milestone keepsake. Now, e.p.t. offers women a commemorative Keepsake Case and scrapbook card to mark the life-changing occasion (available with a mail-in proof-of-purchase).
I guess I am in the minority since I never saved my test longer than to take a photo for later use. Am I sad about this? No, not really since I have the memories of those magical moments to last me along with my two beautiful little boys.
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of e.p.t. keepsake case. I received a keepsake case to facilitate my review (willing to donate to anyone interested) and will also be receiving a $20 gift card to JustGive.org for my participation. I look forward to donating this to a great charity close to my heart.
My boys love yogurt. Last summer, my little guy really liked Go-Gurt, even for a frozen treat. When I mentioned this to our doctor, she was not thrilled. She said that although it was fabulous that he was eating yogurt., she did not think the sugar content was a good choice. I went home I looked and sure enough, it was pretty high for a regular purchase item. We stopped buying Go-Gurt and the kids were not happy.
Earlier this spring, I was contacted by MyBlogSpark to participate in a Simply Go-Gurt review and giveaway. I was intrigued because the new Simply Go-Gurts were in the same fun form as the ones we had tried, but they contained less sugar.
More information about Simply Go-Gurt:
New Simply… Go-Gurt is made from simple ingredients moms look for and contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors. Each convenient portable yogurt tube contains a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Simply stated, Simply… Go-Gurt is a good-for-you, low fat yogurt snack that you can feel good about giving to your kids.
New Simply… Go-Gurt is available in two kid-friendly flavors, Strawberry and Mixed Berry.
Simply Go-Gurt can be found in grocery stores nation wide. I will admit that we had some difficulty trying to find them a few months ago, but now they are stocked in almost every store that we have locally. Thanks to MyBlogSpark, I have a cute little widget below. The first 30 people to click on it will receive a coupon for a free package of Simply Go-Gurt. After that, you can print off a $1.00 off coupon.
Please note that the coupon offer for the free SImply Go-Gurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Lousiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.
What we thought:
When our package arrived, the boys loved everything inside (see giveaway photo below). When we went shopping, they helped us to look for the new Simply Go-Gurt . Once we brought it home, NHL and JSL wanted to dig right in.
NHL (6) loved the Simply Go-Gurt. He immediately said that he likes how fun they are to eat in the squeeze tube. He had no problem at all eating one and begging for a second. He also mentioned to us that it was not new. I guess that is a great endorsement. NHL clearly did not miss the high fructose corn syrup or colors and enjoyed the new Simply Go-Gurt.
The little guy, JSL (just 3), asked for a little assistance with his Simply Go-Gurt. He did not want any to get all over since he liked the taste. After he tried to do it solo, he asked for help to maximize what got into his mouth and minimize loss to a mess. It is important to note that JSL NEVER asks for help unless it is something he really likes and wants to make sure nothing is wasted. When he finished up the first and a second (like his big brother), JSL asked for another and we had to cut him off. We told them they would be there for another day.
NHL was nice enough to let me try a little of his, JSL refused to share. I liked the taste as well. It was still sweet, but not overly sweet like the original Go-Gurt had been. The biggest thing I noticed was the color was not shocking and bright like regular Go-Gurt (we can live without bright blue tongues). Kudos to Yoplait for making this option for kiids. This is definitely a step in the right direction to have options for children that do not have HFCS and added colors. I know we will definitely be buying more and likely will have some in the freezer for quick frozen snacks this summer.
Giveaway:
Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Yoplait, one lucky reader will win a Yoplait Simply Go-Gurt "Simplify Your Life" gift pack like the one I received below. This includes a coupon to try Simply Go-Gurt, a pocket Etch a Sketch, weekly planner and a seat back organizer. . . perfect for upcoming summer trips. Please note that the coupon offer for the free Simply Go-Gurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Lousiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.
Rules for Giveaway:
MAIN RULE – Answer the following question: Share a wholesome snacking tip that makes your child(ren) smile.
The following Bonus Entries may also be done. Please be sure to leave separate comments for each that you complete below to make sure you get the right number of entries.
1 Bonus Entry – Share a simple truth about being a parent.
1 Bonus Entry – Tweet about the giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and Simply Go-Gurt Giveaway in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment for each daily entry. Example Tweet (feel free to use):
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Leave a comment on any of my non-giveaway posts from the month of June/July. Be sure to leave a comment here to let me know which one. This Bonus entry may be done only twice per person.
3 Bonus Entries – Add my blog button to your website and leave a link with the location. Be sure to give yourself 3 comments for credit.
5 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 5 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra entries.
To enter, please follow the rules above within the comment section. Contest starts today July 6 and ends at 10:59 EST on July 14, 2010. You do not have to be a blogger to enter, but must leave a valid e-mail address for me to contact you for mailing address once the giveaway is over. I will select the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If there is no response, another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents only.
Disclosure: This review and giveaway was made possible by My Blog Spark and Yoplait. They provided me with the gift pack and coupon to purchase a package of Simply Go-Gurt. The opinions of this review were mine and I received no other compensation.
