I’ve talked about this before while I was pregnant, but there are certain traditions I’m so excited to start with Jude (you can read about the holiday traditions I want to start here!) Last year around this time we kicked off the fall season with apple picking at Kuipers Family Farm. I was 20 weeks pregnant with Jude and kept thinking about how much fun it would be next year to have him with us. It’s crazy to think back on that day and how it feels like yesterday. My godson Oliver is walking and talking (he was a tiny baby that was in a carrier) and now Jude is here, babbling and biting into apples! (Scroll down to see the hilarious moment and his face).
Although this is only our second year going and technically Jude wasn’t here last year, it’s something that my husband and I plan to continue to do with him. Kuipers has beautiful grounds, the staff is very friendly, and they even have delicious cider and wine (with $5 flights… you can’t beat that!) Across the street they have a pumpkin patch and so many activities for kids, including slides, a corn maze, a jumping pillow (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds) and so much more. Part of me wished Jude was older so I had an excuse to partake.
We originally were going to head to Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm but thankfully I came across many bad reviews in a Facebook group I’m a part of. After doing a little research and learning about animal abuse allegations, including a bear cub that died there last year, I could never give my money to that type of place, nor do I want Jude to think that type of treatment of animals is acceptable. It’s very important to me that I raise a kind human who treats all animals with respect, and I’d rather him learn about exotic animals through books than in tiny cages where they don’t belong.
Since we showed up a little late in the season, there weren’t as many apples to choose from as last year, but warmer weather made it the perfect day to go. Jude hasn’t been the biggest fan of solids, so I was surprised at how much he enjoyed biting into the apples (and yes, we made sure to eat them afterward so they weren’t wasted!) It was such a fun day and I can’t believe next year Jude will be running around, picking the apples themselves… and mom will be absolutely jumping on that pillow.
Also, you can shop the sweater I’m wearing here! It’s 35.99 and I love the leopard print. I know, I know.. leopard for fall… groundbreaking. 😉
