Apple Fest

New York eats, breathes, and sleeps apples in the fall. Apple pies, apple fritters, apple sauce, apple butter, apple donuts, apple EVERYTHING.

So of course, there are apples fests. For your enjoyment, here are some snapshots of our recent visit to one.

All the Fall Things

Fall is my favorite. I mean, it's everyone's, right? Something about the crisp mornings, cool afternoons, dancing leaves, and the vibrant colors. That time of year when the boots make their way back to the mud room, jackets find their way to the coat hooks, and slippers find their spot under the night stand.

Here in New York, fall is something extra special. Apples fall like leaves from the trees in our yard, and the cider mill down the street is hard at work, producing some of the region's best cider, pies, and donuts - the same way they have since 1927. The streets meander through color-filled fields, past farms where cows graze road-side, and deer wander freely (apparently, right into the side of my car).

Other Florida Fun

We did so much while we were in Florida, making it a family vacation of sorts. We went over a long weekend, so we could spend those days with Tyler, but the rest of the week he had to work. On those days, Jackson and I made it a habit to hit the pool all morning, and I worked while Jackson napped. When Tyler got done working, we headed out to take advantage of city life (something we don't have access to in Rome).

Here's a roundup of my other favorite Tampa moments (or at least those captured in a photo).

 

Reunited, and it feels SO good.

 

Pair O' Dice Brewing

 

 

 

 

We weren't prepared, but the Florida Aquarium has a huge outdoor water park/splash pad... because it's Florida.

 

The Green Lemon is a fantastic Mexican fusion restaurant. It also features brunch until 3pm on the weekends, and happy hour kicks off at 2pm. Even better? First timers get free dessert. There is so much winning happening at this place.

 

We also did a little bit of cooking. And by that, I mean Tyler did a little bit of cooking.

Tampa Children's Museum

Once you have kids, things that once sounded like the worst (also see: children's museums) suddenly sound like so.much.fun. It's because there is just nothing better than experiencing the world through their little eyes. Children's museums tend to be jam-packed with the things little kids love. All the things.

Tampa's Children's Museum didn't disappoint. In a single day Jackson was a fire man, weather man, construction worker, engineer, doctor, pizza-maker, pilot, and even got the grocery shopping done. Then, just as I was thinking maybe he's really a superhero, he had a five-alarm meltdown, proving that he really is just a two year old, after all.