Friday Flashback ~ Bobbing for Apples

Today I am taking a journey back to October of 2002. The kids were 7, 4, and 1...the girls on the verge of turning 5 and 2. We spent a good chunk of the day at Lattin's Cider Mill, feeding all the animals, picking out pumpkins, and of course, eating hot apple fritters. While we were eating, the kids curiously stared at the other kids bobbing for apples. Alex quickly assessed it as a competition, sizing up the errors that were made and the strategies that were used. Although it grossed me out in ways I cannot even find the words for (all these kids dunking their mouths into this big vat of water and apples? Was the vat last used to water the pigs?? Probably not, but this is where my mind goes.), I just imagined all the great pictures I could get of Alex insisting on getting an apple. I was right. He was great material that day. He was at this for a looong time. Strangers sitting and eating their fritters were quite amused at his determination to grab an apple in this vat of germs. I offered, several times, to just buy him an apple. He looked at me like I had a third eye and told me that wasn't the point. He was 7. Silly me.

Beth didn't quite get what he was doing. When we told her Alex wanted an apple, she kept going over and just pulling one out with her hand. We finally convinced her he wanted to pick one up with his mouth, so she went over and dunked her head as a show of solidarity. Naturally, this frustrated Alex, because it caused a ripple to run through the water that threw off his whole 39th attempt.

Finally, SUCCESS! If you'll look closely at the picture, you will understand our skepticism that he would be successful. And our laughter at his attempts. His strategy was to pinch the stem with his teeth. Again, he was 7. He had no top teeth. But, in true Alex form, his determination won out, and he got himself an apple. Soaked with cold water. A hard-earned snack for sure. He ate that apple, dripping with germs, sharing with his sisters. That part of the memory makes me cringe, but no worries...they survived just fine! Not even a sniffle followed that bobbing for germs. I mean, apples.

Brenna then decided that she wanted to give it a try. She gave it a few good tries, then in true princess form decided that the cold water on her face was just not worth it. But I love Alex leaning in with the encouragement.

Then Beth wanted to do it all by herself. She was just around the corner from 2. Of course she wanted to do it herself. The great thing about watching Beth was she was not even going for an apple. She'd just dunk her forehead in the water, stand up and grin at Alex. Then she'd dunk it again. Over and over. From her perspective, that's all her brother did, so that's what she did. She was not happy to be done. Again, she was almost 2. LOVE those ladybug boots with the purple leggings! Again, almost 2. Precious...

We are hoping to head out there this weekend for some apples and fritters. But there is no way in this virus infested world they are sticking their heads into a bucket of germs for the chance to "catch" an apple! We'll fill 'em up with fritters before they can even be tempted.