Punkin Patch 2012: Part 4

Right as we were getting ready to leave the kids felt inspired watching some of the other kids climb a nearby tree. I finally gave in and conceded to allowing them to climb as long as their dad was close at hand.

That is it. The punkin patch 2012. 

What a great time and a hearty thank you to those special folks who made the day possible.

Punkin Patch 2012: Part 1

This was year three of "punkin pickin" courtesy of Good Neighbors D and M.  Every year they out-do themselves. We are honored to be among the lucky few who get to partake in this wonderful experience. They do such an amazing job and the kids had just the best time. 

There is so much to tell and many photos so I will be posting in parts.

When we arrived, the kids first wanted snuggles of Mr. V, one of our hosts and Neighbor M's Dad. This is his farm. Oh, yes, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern were suited up for the occasion. (Let's just say I'm glad I made that Wonder Woman cape washing machine friendly!)

Then straight to the selection of pumpkins. We each chose one. Then we picked several others for family, friends, co-workers, and baking. There were so many we probably could have brought home more but the trunk was full! 

Lil Sister chose this one. This photo reminds me of last year's trip to the pumpkin patch.

Then Neighbor M took a family photo. A little practice before she does our family photos next week.

Stay tuned. Part 2 coming up...

Punkin (Pumpkin) Patch 2013

This weekend was our pumpkin harvest. If you recall, each year we are invited to Good Neighbor D&M's parents' farm for pumpkin picking. If you recall, this year the kids helped with the planting. It was fun to see all the pumpkins being selected.

If you would like to walk down memory lane with our various visits, here are a couple of links. This is from our very first year. Lil Sis was just a tiny bean, less than a year old. She actually slept most of the time. Here's from two years ago. Last year we had so many fun adventures, I actually did a whole series of postings. 

These days I am pretty tired, uncomfortable, and grouchy. Thus, just a few photos. It was actually pretty nice this year. The kids were fairly independent and happy to participate and run with the other kids. Hubby and I actually had a nice visit with few kid interruptions. 

T was a little apprehensive but agreeable to drive the tractor this year. Both kids loved riding in the back of the gator truck. These also were very eager to pick pumpkins, too - especially the tiny ones. Plus, one of these gatherings is not complete without Good Neighbor M's special sugar cookies - both frosted and unfrosted. 

Lately T asks us daily what the highlight of our day is. Often I tell him to ask again at the end of the day. However, today Hubby took a photo of one of my daily highlights. On the way over to the farm, the kids were listening to Veggie Tales Silly Songs. The song playing was Dance of the Cucumber. It's quite hysterical and the kids are getting to the age where they understand some of the subtle as well as not so subtle humor. I was cracking up listening to them crack up at the funny humor. Hence, the photo in the car (plus, it shows off Lil Sister's funny headband she insisted on wearing). Otherwise, the rest are from the farm and our fun time.

Just a couple other updates before the photos. Hubby starts a new job tomorrow which he is very excited about, tomorrow the kids start afterschool and preschool just on Mondays and Fridays when I work, and the minivan arrived on Friday. Nothing like just a few changes going on. We've been talking for a while about sending Lil Sister to preschool. She's been begging to go actually. Since me mom is still not well enough to watch the kids, we opted to start her in school and then extend T's school time to include after school as well (again just on my work days). It's going to be a big change for all of us. Plus, Hubby's new work hours are earlier than at his old job so we're going to have to work on our night owl behaviors and get on a strict schedule. 

As far as the baby, I really feel like she's ready to come out. Now we need to get my body to cooperate. She's sitting at zero station (head down) which I've never had a baby sit that low for so long. It's nice to be able to eat and breathe again but the really frequent bathroom breaks and other "stuff" is not-so-fun. I am dilated a couple centimeters but I know I can hang out at that point for weeks. The nurse practitioner I've been having follow me these past few visits says when things kick off they should go fast but gosh these prodromal contractions at all hours of the day are starting to get old. I keep telling myself I'm being boiled slowly rather than being thrown into the frying pan. As I always say, all babies come out eventually. So, just keep going. 

For now, enjoy the farm photos...

Punkin Patch 2012: Part 2

After all the fun of selecting pumpkins, we took a hay ride, T Rex then drove the tractor with Mr. V, Neighbor M took us all on a gator truck ride to drop off our pumpkins, and the time for lunch.

Snuggles with my little Wonder Woman during the hay ride. T Rex was a little uncertain about things so he held on tight to his dad. This photo reminds me of our first year at the farm.

Loading up the kids and later the pumpkins for a gator truck ride.

T Rex aka Green Lantern driving the tractor with Mr. V. We waited for everyone to be off the trailer before we put T Rex in charge of the controls.

Then some lunch. Neighbor M's special taco soup and famous frosted sugar cookies. Neighbor D was kind to set aside some un-frosted ones for T Rex since these are the only types of sweets he likes.

 

Stay tuned for more...

Punkin Patch...

Good Neighbors D&M invited us out to "the farm". It was seriously the best time!

Here are just a few highlights...

T Rex was a little nervous initially but he found some reassurance holding onto his dad. Before long, though, he was running with the other kids with no care as to where T Rex Dad or I was.

T Rex getting a little help from "Tall Buzz Lightyear" picking out pumpkins - some for carving and some for baking.

There were so many wonderful pumpkins - he finally decided this was the one (of many he would take home)! And Halloween is just not Halloween without Buzz Lightyear - you've probably figured out what T Rex is dressing up as this year!

Collecting and tossing tomatoes - how fun is that?!? He certainly doesn't get to do this at home! Note - Buzz has actually been put down for this activity.

Showing off his chosen pumpkins to friend J. The green one was very popular among the three and almost three-year-olds!

Riding "scoots" with with some help from T Rex Dad.

Stealing hugs from J.


All the pumpkins loaded in the tiny truck to haul back to the house.

T Rex was too afraid to ride on the little truck so he watched as it drove away with his pumpkins. Even though he did not actually ride in it, he was very impressed with it and talked endlessly about it on the ride home until he crashed from sheer exhaustion.

This little pumpkin slept the entire time we hunted for pumpkins, but her big brother was kind enough to pick out a couple on her behalf. She's working on a second tooth so she's been sleeping a bit less these days so she has to catch up during nap time.

T Rex Dad stealing some baby snuggles after her nap - she is always so snuggly after nap time - it's the best!

Bebe Sister made the circuit visiting everyone at the gathering. Here, at the end, I finally got my snuggles in.

It was so nice to hang out in a kid friendly environment outside the city and with the best of company on a glorious fall day. And very special shout out to Mr. and Mrs. V for this very special day - a very hearty thank you. We definitely owe you a pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread! And thanks to good neighbors D&M for arranging this and all the work you put into this special day, too! This is definitely one for our memory books!

Punkin Patch 2012: Part 3

The fun at the farm continued after lunch. The kids found the empty field and were especially interested in the piles of grass and leaves. Remember I mentioned I was glad I made the Wonder Woman cape washing machine friendly? This is why.

This last photo is a self portrait I took while the kids played. Lil Sister asked me to hang onto her cape so I just wore it to keep from getting lost. Thus, you can see the cape as well as the cat ears, too. I had fun taking this photo.

One last posting from the farm coming up...