Strawberry Fields Forever

I have a strong memory of going berry picking at Reilly's Summer Seat Farm perhaps it was the summer after 3rd grade.  I was with my friend Kelly and our Mom's and sisters.   I remember that strawberry season was very short and that in western Pennsylvania, June was the time that the berries would ripen and be at their best.

When Brady was just shy of 2 1/2 years old, my Mom and I took him to another farm in Pittsburgh to pick summer's favorite fruit.  At 2 1/2 he definitely ate more than he put in his container. 

Last year, despite our best efforts, we could not go berry picking because the crop was bad in Ohio and Pittsburgh. A late frost, rain and hail had ruined the crop and the fields were not open for U-Pick.

This year, though, despite lots of rain in Western PA, the berries came alive for little hands to pick (and taste) and thus another memory was made of picking berries in June with my littles and this time, my sister came along. 

Caught in the act!

My sister is such a huge help to me when I visit home, she's always up for whatever crazy adventure that I *think* will be fun for the kids.  They love their Laura.

I hope that every year we'll mark off a day on the calendar in June to stop and slow down for a bit and enjoy a morning in a strawberry field....the warm sun on our back, the blue sky above and the sweet smelling, delicious fruit at our feet.

Strawberry season is fleeting, if you are too busy with other things, you'll miss it.  Kind of a metaphor for a lot of things in life...childhood is the one that comes to mind.  I hope my littles will remember going to pick berries with their siblings or family members or friends every year and will look back on it with fond memories.