navygreen | Berry Patch.

The boys and I went on an adventure today - we went to the Bellevue Berry Patch! It's strawberry season here, and the berries were ripe for pickin'. Today was a perfect day - not hot, nice and breezy and sunny most of the time. I had planned this for today, and I was so happy when I woke up at 9am and found the weather cooperating beautifully.

The 'fruits' of our labor.

We arrived at the Berry Patch in early afternoon. The berry patch is located in the same area as the Pumpkin Patch that we go to each year. It's not very far down the highway, and it's worth every penny every time we go. We parked the car, got out, went inside a little stand to have our empty baskets weighed, and then we set off to the patch to pick!

Jack picks his first berry.

Jack's basket.
Incidentally, both of the boys carried their Longaberger® Large Berry Baskets. :-)

Scouting for great berries.

Both of the boys set off at a fast pace. I was busy enough just clicking pictures. :-) Every so often, I'd see a couple of great berries myself. I'd pick them, and then I'd add them to the basket of whomever was nearest to me. Jack kept telling me that "[he] found bigger berries than [me]." Heehee.

A.J. picks more berries.

After a while, A.J. found a very funny-shaped berry. This little baby had an odd little prong of sorts sticking out of its head. Cute!

A.J.'s funny-shaped berry.
(Alright, I admit - it's hard to tell in this picture.)

Looking hard for good berries.

Once the boys' baskets were filled, we headed back up the path to have our berries weighed. Jack didn't realize he was dropping a berry or two as he walked, his basket swinging behind him and bumping his leg.

Jack walks back up the path with a basketful of berries.

Altogether, our two basketfuls of berries only cost $5.76! What a great deal! Once we'd paid for the berries, we dug in. We walked over to a play area, and snacked on a few berries before the boys began to play.

Jack pops a strawberry.

They eached picked out their favorites in the play area. Jack loved to climb on the old tree trunk (probably 25 feet long or more). Every time he would move to a new spot, he'd yell for A.J. to look and see him. :-)

Jack balances on the tree trunk.

But A.J.'s favorite thing - by far - was to race down the zipline. He was a bit scared at first, but when he had grabbed onto the rope, I pushed him from behind off the platform. (I knew he'd love it if he'd just give it a try.) It was either hold on or drop into the sand. He held on and quickly fell in love with zooming down the length of the line. :-)

A.J. races down the zipline.

(You can see all of the pictures from today HERE.)

After we'd been at the Patch about an hour and a half, I decided it was time to get going. As I said, it was a perfect day, and we had a perfect time. Not only that, but we have TONS of lovely strawberries to gorge ourselves on now! :-)

The best dialogue from today? Read on...

A.J.: (looking into his basket) My basket is filled fuller than yours, Jack. See? My basket is 1-2 rows from the top. (counting the weaves)

Jack: Nuh uh. MY basket is more fuller than yours. You have 1-2-free rows, and I only have 1-2. (reaching into A.J.'s basket and counting the weave rows)

A.J.: Jack, don't touch my berries - that's rude.

Jack: (reaches for A.J.'s basket again)

A.J.: (in a whiny tone) Mo-om! Jack's touching my berries. Tell him it's RUDE to touch other people's berries.

Me: (dissolving into fits of giggles)