Martin Mission #2

Andrew has been working quite a bit lately, both at his full-time job at CHL Systems and also part-time in the real estate and general contracting business (Marban Homes) that he is starting.  He is currently working on a large project for Marban that is set to end over the next few weeks, so he has been very busy keeping everything in line with the project timeline and budget.  So, he's been out most nights and many weekend days and nights.

Yesterday, though, he decided that he was going to take the day off today and plan to only work at night.  So, we decided that with the weather forecast being very favorable, that we would do our 2nd Martin Mission.  This is where we decide together on a place that we will visit as a family and then tell the kids that we are going on a secret mission, not revealing the location until we have arrived.  So, when we told the boys, they were so excited.  Actually, first they were excited that we'd be going to the Lego store again - our first Martin Mission - but when we told them that we don't visit the same place each time, they were filled with a new anticipation of this mystery trip we were taking today.

So, at 10:30AM the Martins set out on Martin Mission #2.  Destination: Solebury Orchards for apple picking followed by a visit to the Peddler's Village Scarecrow Festival.  Shhh....don't tell the kids until we get there :). 

Andrew and I were actually really looking forward to this as well because we realized that Daddy has never come fruit picking with us before!  I have always brought the kids either on a school field trip, with a playgroup or by myself when Andrew has been busy doing work around the house, to get everyone out from underfoot.  So this made our decision to do this even more fun since everyone knows that Andrew is the most scrutinizing produce selector around.  We knew we'd come home with a bag of the best, reddest and biggest apples that Solebury had to offer :)

The drive to Solebury is about 45 minutes so the kids were getting antsy asking why we were going far away today.  But, as soon as we pulled in and they saw everyone carrying large bags and baskets of apples, Ben started smiling ear-to-ear and Nate started to tell us that he likes to eat apples.  They were excited!

The excitement continued when we found out that the variety of apples in season today - Honey Crisp - were quite a far walk so Solebury was mandating that everyone take a tractor ride to the trees.  How fun!!

Can you tell that Daddy and Abby are having a fun day out, waiting for our ride to arrive?

Here it comes!!

Here we are on our tractor ride to the Honey Crisp orchard!



Let the apple picking begin!  The boys had so much fun selecting perfect apples, using the ladder (with Andrew) to go up and get them, and also sitting on Daddy's shoulders to reach some perfect ones, too.

Of course we couldn't go the entire day and not let Abby pick an apple! :)

After picking 20 POUNDS of apples, some of them seriously the size of softballs, we had a picnic lunch together.  Then, on to the second portion of Martin Mission #2:  The Scarecrow Festival.  Really?  Why don't we just drive around Telford if we want to see some scarecrows out by people's gardens or as part of their fall decor?  Why go all the way to Peddler's Village to see that?  Well, I never thought this festival would be too exciting either.  I much preferred to save my Peddler's Village trips for the Strawberry Festival or the Apple Festival.

Well, was I wrong!  I saw some photos of the scarecrows and just knew the kids would love it.  I always love Peddler's Village in general so it seemed like the perfect leisurely Saturday outing for us and I knew it was within 5 minutes of Solebury Orchards, so the idea for Martin Mission #2 quickly formed.

On display throughout Peddler's Village are scarecrows of every genre, which will be there for all of September and October and then judged at the end of October for a prize.  Most stores create their own unique scarecrow for the event and leave them outside their shop, such as a cupcake-shaped scarecrow from the bakery, a scarecrow strewn with grapevines from the winery, etc.  Locals can also submit scarecrows for the contest.  There are also some fun scarecrow building workshops and other fall-themed activities, along with the usual live music and festival feel of all of Peddler's outdoor events.  We didn't partake in any of the extra activities, just because it had already been a long day for the kids, but merely just walked around and took in the sights.

Below are some of our favorite scarecrows.  Enjoy!

Nate loved this "muscle man" since he is always showing off his big muscles to everyone - lol!

My personal favorite!  Mr. Angry Eyes.
"I'm packing your angry eyes just in case." ~ Mrs. Potato Head, Toy Story 2

Andrew's favorite - Straw Trooper :)

Ben couldn't decide on a favorite but really liked these three.  He loves Woody and has recently started liking The Cat in the Hat show on TV so he got a kick out of that one.  Plus, he likes pirates so he spotted the pirate one himself and was very excited about it!