The Apple of Our Eyes

Today we returned to Ellijay for our annual visit to apple country - Madison was very excited about visiting. She kept saying, "apple! apple!" It was funny to hear her, especially as we got closer.

That was one of the first words she ever learned. It was a year ago when we last visited, and Madison got the hang of the word "apple." Here she is in a photo taken one year ago at the same orchard. She's changed so much in one year, hasn't she?

Our destination was Hillcrest Orchard, where there are plenty of apples, of course. But there's also a nice little petting zoo area, where the three of us wandered around meeting baby sheep, goats, chicks, piglets and even a calf. Madison was still a little nervous around the goats. When we went to the Gwinnett County Fair the other day, there was a pig that got a little too close for comfort. She evidently remembered, and was a little uneasy around the goats.

It was easy to get uneasy around the goats: they were nibbling at everything! Madison kept lifting her skirt above her waist and saying "No, no, no!" You see, the goats kept trying to nibble on her clothing. Fortunately, Daddy was nearby to help Madison fend off those naughty goats. She likes animals, but the goats were clearly getting on her nerves a bit. She found safety in a large green tractor that served as a piece of playground equipment - and a place of refuge above the goats.

After a bit of playtime there, she and Mommy visited the baby chicks, where Madison once again got to pet the tiny birds and giggle as they hopped around in their cage. The petting zoo here was nice - it was actually better than the one at the actual Atlanta Zoo. Madison had a good time there, and afterwards Daddy insisted on taking her on a big slide they had set up next to the orchard.

Afterwards, we got our apples in the store and made our way back home. It was a fun day - but it wasn't over yet. Tonight was movie night! We all piled in the playroom with all the pillows from bed. Spreading them across the floor, we all sat down together and watched Toy Story for the first time. Madison was really into Woody and Buzz Lightyear. We'll have to try Toy Story 2 next.

It was a nice evening in the playroom. Of course, we all cracked up when we got to the scene about Mrs. Nesbitt. "Don't you get it? I'm Mrs. Nesbitt!"