September Apples

We have a six year old! Luke had a great birthday and a really fun Super Mario Brothers' themed party. He told us months ago he wanted his party at Kent Park in the shelter by the playground. It was a fantastic idea! And while the preparation required more lists than a party at our house would have, everything went well and I didn't forget anything! He had his four neighborhood friends plus Audrey and Colin - the first party with friends outside of family. He requested a mushroom cake (the mushroom is in the Super Mario video games); I did some research and decided it was doable, so I made one. I even found a recipe for marshmallow fondant, and while it was a challenge to get it rolled out and on the cake, I'm glad I went to the trouble because Luke LOVED it and thanked me many, many times and said it was really cool. Thank you to all of our friends and family who came to help him celebrate!
On his actual birthday he took cupcakes to school and requested breakfast for dinner - sausage, scrambled eggs, and biscuits with apple butter - yummy! Then we went out for ice cream. We'll have more pictures in the September album at the end of the month.

First grade is going really well for him. There is math homework and a book to read every night - and guess what? He LIKES doing his homework! I'm sure it won't always be like this, but we can only hope.

The day after Luke's birthday party we headed to Wilson's Orchard to get some apples. We go every year but usually not until the end of September or October because that's when it starts feeling like fall, and going to the orchard gets us in the mood for autumn. The temps this summer have been so cool that we already felt like going so we met Zach, Nicole, Colin and Nicole's parents and we all had a good time picking apples. Luke picked a whole basket full and we have each been eating an apple every day! They are so delicious. We also got some cooking apples and decided it's about time we make the pie, so Monday night Audrey and I mixed up the crust dough, well, mostly I mixed it but Audrey watched while she ate M & Ms. :-) I told her she had to pull her hair back while we worked on the dough and man, does she ever look older with a pony tail! Ben thinks she looks like a teenager. Yikes.
Last night Luke peeled/cored/sliced the apples and then Audrey helped mix the apples and other ingredients. They had a really good time and actually worked well together. And the pie is delicious!