A Family of Pickers! (July 17th, 2011)

Sometimes in life you find someone who was so made to do what they do.  They enjoy what they do, they are amazing at what they do, and they do what they are supposed to do!  That is how we feel about Mrs. Schempf.  We met Mrs. Schempf when Molly was going into Kindergarten.  We had just moved to Watertown and Molly was our "baby" girl.  We were so nervous about sending her to full day Kindergarten and had many reservations.  We met with Mrs. Schempf and she put us right to ease.  She is an AMAZING teacher.  Molly, Sadie, and Abbie have all had her now for Kindergarten and you couldn't ask for a better teacher.  We Love her dearly!  She is a kind, loving, and supportive person and friend.  She has such a positive outlook on life.  She has raised her children to be beautiful people both inside and out.  Her entire family is so kind and caring.  I just can't say enough positive things about her and her family!  Anyways, she called us on Sunday and told us her raspberry patch was overflowing and needed some pickers!  We headed over to her house on a very hot Sunday night to fill our buckets with raspberries!  I knew Gavin and Kenadie should have stayed home with Dan and Lanie, but they INSISTED that they would help.  Hmmm, is it ever smart to listen to a 3 and 4 year old?  No, not really. The kids had to wear long pants and put a light sweatshirt on so the branches wouldn't poke them.  Here are a few photos from our picking!

 We had to start by "trying" out their tree house.  Mr. Schempf built this all on his own.  Mrs. Schempf brings her kindergarten class here every year, but Gavin and Kenaide hadn't had a chance to see it yet.  So the older girls had to show them the ropes.  What a fun thing to have in your backyard!

 Mrs. Schempf showed the kids what to do.  Notice how they are all paying attention and listening?  She has this magical way with them that they ALL listen to her....even Gavin!

 She worked with Gavin and showed him what to do, what berries to pick, and where to pick them from.

 Gavin didn't make it past the first few minutes.  The tree house was calling his name!  I was proud that he helped for a few minutes!

 Kens didn't last too long either.  She was very excited to give it a try, though!

 Kenadie was brave and was the first one to actually attempt to go into the patch.  Even with the bugs and spiders!  Shortly after, she lost interest and joined Gavin in the tree house.

 Sadie pushed her way through the thick branches and got all the way to the middle.

 Abbie was my helper.  I was so proud of her as well.  She got right in there with me and was an awesome picker!

 Molly worked with Mrs. Schempf.  I could hardly see her overall the tall branches!  She got a huge bucket full!

 It was SO hot and thankfully Mrs. Schempf had freezy pops for us to cool off with!  We were all sweaty and sticky!  It was a nice break, but then we were back out to the patch to pick some more.

Well, at least some of us headed back out to pick....some of us, that would be Kenadie and Gavin, stayed and played in the tree house!

We left with two huge flats of raspberries!  We have enjoyed them so much!  My plan is to make some jam today with what we have left.  Mrs. Schempf and her husband are heading out of town this week so she said we could come back on Thursday to pick some more.  This time I know who I will be bringing with me and who can stay home with daddy!  We are so thankful to the Schempf's for allowing us to come and pick raspberries!