Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Apple Picking with Preschoolers

Harrison’s preschool friends went on a trip recently to a local apple farm.  First the kids played on the covered wagon/slide, then took a “hay” ride through the orchards and learned about all the different varieties of apples and the importance of bees. 

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After that, our guide took us into the orchard and schooled us on the proper way to pick an apple. 

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Harrison carefully twisting the stem, just like we were taught.

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He was not interested in posing for pictures. 

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After we picked our apples, we headed over to learn how to make apple cider.  Here Harrison is tossing his apple into the “hopper.”

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Here we are learning about the apple polishing machine. 

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And finally, here are all the children inside the giant cooler, learning about proper apple storage. 

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Then we went back outside to eat fresh baked donuts and apple cider, and be attacked by a swarm of ladybugs.  Who knew those suckers bit?  There are no pictures of this part because I was too busy picking lady bugs off screaming kids and brushing them off their food and rescuing them from drowning in apple cider. 

I found the outing to be rather interesting, but I’m not sure what a bunch of 4 year olds took away from it.  They did like watching the apples get polished and sorted, and the “hay” ride. 

Due to illness and uncooperative weather we have yet to make our annual Stidolph pilgrimage to pick apples.  Cross your fingers that this coming Saturday will be our lucky day. 

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