This past week we packed up the kiddos and headed to one of our favorite local farms, Silverman's Farm in Easton, CT. My husband and I have been going for the last four years- sometimes for the apple picking, sometimes for the pumpkins, always for the apple cider donuts. 

It was a beautiful day- filled with farm animals, hay stacks, corn kernel baths, a few pumpkins, and lots of delicious apples. Here are a few of my favorite snaps from the day, and a few tried and true tips I've honed over the years:

tips

1. Indian summer or not, go early in the season to get the pickin' while the pickin's good. Last year we waited until October to do a pumpkin-apple combo, and we ended up picking most of our apples up off the ground. Not too fun. The earlier you get there the more options you have. And there's nothing like watching the kiddos grab those apples from those lower branches.

2. Get there early and head to the market first. We arrived roughly thirty minutes after they opened- yay!- picked our apples, played in the corn-pit and then headed inside to purchase our beloved apple cider donuts. An hour or so after opening and the checkout line was wrapped around farther than I could see. Making me, and my tummy, quite sad. Next time I'll definitely be grabbing my donuts- and mulling spices, and pies, and cider- before we hit the orchard.

3. Dress for pictures, but also for picking. Its steep up in those orchards, folks. Like, really really steep. Even when its hot I opt for some sort of boots- only because I think they're cuter than sneakers. Kiddos should definitely dress in shoes they can walk comfortably in. Dress in layers- it fluctuates from hot to cold as you go in and out of shade. And dress in a way you want to remember in all those pretty orchard pics you're going to take; if you take enough, you're bound to get a holiday-card-worthy one, or two.

4. Bring cash. Or snacks. But if you want to purchase the yummy treats they sell- and they are really yummy-  or even a refreshing water, you'll want to bring a few bucks to spend.