Whew!

Whew!  Today was a day of running around!  I needed to send off Derek's birthday box today so timing would work out with his schedule, there, and I still needed to find AND wrap his main gift, because it was a last minute idea gotten yesterday evening.  I had promised the girls a trip to an orchard to pick apples, and Mimi had another birthday party.  Yeah.  The gift I wanted was not in the first store I went to, so I got wise and started calling others.  Finally found it, then had to drive there, buy it, wrap it IN the back of the car, then seal up his box (which is SO awesome!) and race to the post office before it closed at 3, and still have enough time to drive to the orchard.  Like I said, a bunch of running around.

So, the box...super fun to decorate for birthday!  I used wrapping paper to both decorate and wrap little presents.  But the most awesome part as far as cute presentation was the 36 pinata!  I made it from cereal boxes, and cut crepe paper for the outside covering.  A fun little addition to the box, for sure.  Can't wait for him to get it!  His birthday is still a ways away, so he'll have to decide if he wants to open it early, or wait until the big day! 

We made it to the orchard...nothing like the orchards in MN, but a tiny orchard, nonetheless.  This was actually someone's backyard, and they allow people to pick the apples.  Pretty crazy.

The girls had a great time wandering around with their grocery sacks, trying to find apples that didn't have worm holes. 

I sent this one to Derek, and the first thing he noticed was the apple above my head...I hadn't noticed it at all until he said it!  It looks like it's going to bonk me in the head. 

The day was pretty warm and sunny, so not super fall feeling, but fun anyway. 

I would love to have some fruit trees, someday. 

They seemed to like wandering around more than actually picking the apples, and A LOT of them had holes, so I think they didn't feel super successful. 

Mimi helped us weigh out our fruit, while the owner told us about how he doesn't like the new organic practices they've been using the last few years.  Sure, no pesticides, but TONS of bugs in the fruit.  I guess you win some, you lose some.  His apples were reasonably priced, and it was a pretty quick little jaunt to his orchard from our place.  I'm pretty sure they don't have apple orchards in Vegas...maybe I'm wrong.  We will have to search far and wide for our fall activities next year! 

After taking Mimi to her 'Frozen' birthday party, we headed to another park.  There was a little amphitheater, where the girls took turns watching and performing.

Mac drew this pic, today.  She's pretty excited for Christmas, I guess!  And sweetest thing, ever...she included a stocking for Derek!  He's the 'D' on the left.

After we got home this evening, the girls were playing outside while I mowed (getting SO tired of that...) and I saw a leaf bug.  I called the girls over, and wanted Leiden to pick it up so I could get a picture of it.  I ran to get the camera, and she tried to pick it up, but it started scurrying up her arm!  She kind of freaked out, and shook it off, but I missed the moment!  She tried to get him to climb on her again, but he didn't seem interested. 

Crazy day!