They started a new program at work, where we can work 4 ten-hour days. Unfortunately, I can't do that, because they say you have to start early, not work late, and I have to be home to get ds off to school. However, my company was flexible, and offered to let me work shorter lunch hours so that I could leave early one day. A very nice compromise.
Yesterday was my early day this week. And wonderful timing it was! Ds had a very bad day at daycare on Monday, so having me get off early on Tuesday was a real blessing. He was only in daycare for minutes, before I arrived to surprise him.
And what did I have planned for my little apple fanatic? Why, the apple orchard, of course!
We ran up to a local apple orchard that had sadly been devastated by a tornado last year. The twister had knocked out most of the buildings, but spared the majority of the apple trees. They did a massive cleanup and restoration on the place, and re-opened in record time this month. I was delighted to hear it, as the loss of that orchard seemed like a terrible blow to this area. It's just one of those rare places that you can go to with the kids, and everyone has a good time. A place that becomes a tradition. Thank goodness the tornado didn't take that away from this town.
Ds had a good time. He kept insisting on going Downstairs. I'm not even sure he knew what was down there, but he wanted to go, so we went. Well, downstairs was a small restaurant that specialized in (what else?) apple pie.
Strangely, my son (who could easily eat a half dozen apples in a day if we'd permit it) does not like apple pie! I knew this going in, so I let him pick whatever he wanted to order, then I got the pie with the intention of letting him try the first bite. I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps it's the fact that the pie was hot (well, just kind of warm, but he won't eat anything warmer than room temperature). Or maybe it's the fact that it's cooked at all. Or maybe the combination of sugar and spice isn't balanced to his liking? Ya got me. But he gave the pie a six on a scale of one to ten. Not a good score from my apple connoisseur. I, on the other hand, thought the pie was yummy, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ds was completely content with his ice cream.
His favorite part was the ability to taste test all the apples. He was in apple heaven! He went in with a Macintosh bias, and the taste testing didn't sway that. But he did find several types that were running close seconds, thirds and fourths.
Letting my son loose in an apple orchard is akin to letting the average child loose in a candy store. (Any parent should be so lucky, huh? :) And he doesn't like pop, either. Sensory issues can have their up side!)
We left with an armload of apples, donuts, apple butter and fudge. (My wallet is still whimpering.) Then we had to make a pit stop at Grandma and Grandpa's on the way home and share out booty with them.
It was just a nice time. It felt wonderful to spend some good one-on-one time with my son. It's been a long while since we've had the opportunity. Now I'll get more chances, with this new work schedule.
He's already hinting at the pumpkin patch. Hm, maybe a little closer to Halloween...
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