Friday, September 27, 2013

Exploring with Apples

We are so lucky to live in an area with such amazing resources.  The fact that my son, at almost 2, understands that apples come from trees, not grocery stores, seems simple, but is so exciting to me because it is due to our local environment, and the oppotunities it provides for us.  JJ loves apples, so I decided to do a mini- apple unit this September.

First, we went to the library and borrowed books with an apple theme.  We chose Apple by Gail GibbonsTen Apples Up on Top by Dr. SeussCurious George Apple Harvest, and Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins.  Ten Red Apples was the hit, and we read it over and over:)

Second, we used apples to make apple prints.  This is very easy we just had to cut an apple in half, stamp half in red, half in green, and JJ stamped them on paper.  He named his artwork "It's Green, It's Red, It's Apple."

JJ was also lucky enough to do apple stamping with his babysitter and best friend.  They do so many fun activities and I enjoy seeing his masterpieces.


Now that JJ was an expert with apples, LOL, I wanted him to see how and where apples grow.  My parents were in town, and we decided to take him apple picking at Seven Ponds Orchard.  He loved it! He was pulling them from the trees, they have dwarf trees there, bagging them, and tasting his crop.  Lots of fun!




Th next day, while I was at work, JJ made both apple sauce and apple pie with my parents.  It was fun for him to see how the apples come from trees, and can be made into new things.







Finally, we wrapped with a fun activity we saw on Pinterest.  I taped some contact paper on our glass door, sticky side up.  This wasn't as easy as Pinterest made it seem.  We drew a tree on it, and JJ used red pom poms to put "apples" on his tree.  I plan on doing the same with vines and orange pompoms for pumpkins.  Lots of fun and pretty easy.



JJ and I had fun working with apples this month.  As a working mother, I love finding these little simple ways for us to learn together.  Looking forward to a pumpkin study in October.  

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Happy Fall!

I love this time of year!  Country festivals, apple and pumpkin picking, high school homecoming games, it is all so much fun!  October is my son's birthday too, so with that and Halloween there is so much celebrating to do.  For those of you planning your weekend, please be sure to check out our events calendar.  Here are some top picks.



Friday, September 27

5:30 pm-6:30 pm- Southampton Mariner's Homecoming Parade-Starts at Southampton Elementary on Hampton Road and travels down Main Street and Jobs Lane.

Saturday, September 28

9:00 am-10:00 am- Sag Harbor Whaler's Homecoming Parade- Parade is down Main Street followed by   a float competition at Mash Park

9:00 am- 3:00 pm- Presbyterian Church of the Moriches Country Fair- Corner of Montauk Highway and Railroad Road, Center Moriches

11:00 am- 3:00 pm- Annual Fun Family Day-Sag Harbor Elementary Field

11:00 am -6:00 pm- Southampton Septemberfest- Live music, kid events, food, pumpkin carving, historical reenactments. Here is the link to the schedule .

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm- Flanders Fire Department 65th Anniversary Parade

Sunday, September 29

10:30 am -3:00 pm- Long Island Steamers Public Run Day- If you haven't already, go to this event soon before the season ends.

11:00 am -6:00 pm- Southampton Septemberfest continues

12:00 pm - 4:00 pm- Country Fair- Brendan House, 4079 Sound Avenue, Riverhead

It should also be a great weekend to visit our local farms and wineries, and enjoy the fall festivities.  If you are planning ahead:
10/5- 10/6- San Gennaro Fest of the Hamptons, Hampton Bays
10/5- 10/6- Pumpkinfest 2013, Suffolk County Farm, Yaphank
10/5- Jungle Bob, Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Quogue

Happy Fall!!!!!!