About Heather Camlot
A freelance writer, crafts junkie and mom of two, Heather Camlot is constantly on the lookout for that elusive work-life balance she hears so much about. Read about Heather's never ending search for five minutes to herself while trying to meet deadlines, make the school bus and raise two fantastic children.
I have fond memories of apple-picking as a child. Every year, my family would drive an hour or so out of Montreal to a friend’s apple orchard, where my brother and I would be allowed to climb trees, pick apples and eat as many as we liked.
With my birthday being at the end of September, when I got old enough, we started taking my friends with us to various apple orchards as my party. We climbed trees, picked apples and ate as many as we liked. I can remember celebrating my birthday in an orchard through my university years.
With Juliana now tall enough to reach the lowest branches, the next generation is learning how much fun apple-picking can be. And I can’t be more excited to bring the tradition to my children.
Marc had accompanied Alexandre’s senior kindergarten class on a field trip to Chudleigh’s in Halton Hills, Ont., two weeks ago and Alexandre came home with some apple-picking tips. “Eye to the sky,” he repeated while pretending to hold an apple and twisting it upwards. “If it doesn’t come off, it’s not ready.”
With his insider information, we headed to Ostrander’s Orchards in Prince Edward County, about 2 ½ hours east of Toronto, a few days later and delighted in picking Macs, Empires and, my personal favorite, Cortlands. With every apple Juliana picked she would end with “I didn’t say eye to the sky,” not really getting the idea that it wasn’t the actual words but the action that was important. It didn’t faze her all that much though, she was too busy eating. Alexandre was convinced the juiciest apples were at the top of the trees and took every opportunity he could to climb the available ladders (the trees were too small to climb) – when he too wasn’t busy eating.
After picking two half bushels, we were spent. As we packed the kids into the car, they asked for more apples to eat. They had already eaten two each in the space of an hour and I feared belly aches. But they worked so hard and without any arguing, and of course when I was a child, we were allowed to eat as many as we liked. We handed over two apples, and joined in the feasting as well.
What childhood traditions do you hope to continue with your child? Log in and leave a comment below!
