pumpkin patch, round 2.

How is it already October?! This first week has been filled with fun and it's only Thursday. 

Monday morning we slowed way down and spent the entire morning at home after the big kids went to school. Simon and I played with puzzles, painted and practiced his letter writing. That squiggly "S" is a bit tricky but he did pretty good!

In the afternoon we went to soccer and then headed over to the school so I could volunteer at yoga club for Lucy. It is the cutest group of 10 kids who will meet weekly for the next 2 months to learn new poses and practice new yoga positions. She did great and can't wait to go back!

 Tuesday was busy with work and preschool but the afternoon was all about cross country. It's a big deal in 3rd grade to get to participate with the upper elementary grades and Carter did great. His school hosted 2 other nearby schools for a 1/2 mile race, divided by grades. He's usually more of a short distance runner so this has been so good for him to learn how to pace himself with those long legs of his. Catching up with other friends while we watched the races was fun too. We have built such a great community of friends at school and all of our kids love running around with siblings on the fields and playgrounds. 3 more meets to go!

 And then yesterday we found ourselves with an entire day of nothing planned! This little cutie and I decided to venture outside (brrrrr...SO cold!) for a trip to another local pumpkin farm.

 Having one on one time with him has been so great for both of us. Being able to focus on what he wants to do has led to less tantrums, so much talking, lots of playing and a whole lot of fun.

 And because it was lunch time.....we had to buy the fresh, hot, pumpkin spiced donuts! I did pack a super nutritious lunch for him but somehow he convinced me to let him eat 3 of these first! I'm such a sucker.

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pumpkin patch 2018, round 1.

 After a busy Saturday filled with basketball and soccer games, a playdate and a birthday party we decided to skip church Sunday morning and head to one of our favorite local pumpkin farms for some family time. We've learned that by going early in the season it tends to not be as crowded or as muddy as later in the month. It was the perfect morning to let the kids run around at their own pace, enjoy all the activities and celebrate the official start of the Halloween season. This place has it all too. I remember as a kid going to the pumpkin patch which was, literally, just a pumpkin patch. A big ole' pile of pumpkins in a muddy field with a few rusty wheelbarrows scattered about. Now, these farms are filled with corn mazes, food trucks, 39575930 activities for kids, rides, pumpkin and apple cannons, country stores and more. We were there about 3.5 hours and could have easily stayed longer. Luckily there are a few other fun farms to visit during the month so we'll get our fill of pumpkins before Halloween hits.
One of the kids favorite activities is the giant jumping pad. We were the first ones on it that morning and they spent over 20 minutes jumping, rolling, giggling and falling. And then Carter was a sweaty mess. Naturally.

 The sport toss was another favorite. Footballs, basketballs and baseballs with holes to shoot towards. This was so fun we came back twice for more play time, although I'm pretty sure we could have only done this and Simon would have been happy. Matt is now determined to get something similar built in our backyard for Simon!

 The barrel ride was fun too, although after a few loops the kids were ready to be done. They all said it was too bumpy! Ha!

 This farm has about a million photo ops scattered throughout the family fun area. Perfect for moms like me who want to capture all the memories!

 The kids played in the playhouse, climbed tire mountain and ran through the grassy field to each new activity. I love how open it is to let each family spread out and take turns.

 Hula hoops and lasso tricks.

 Tire swings too!

 Surprisingly, Simon beat out Carter and Lucy in the duck races a few times! He had a solid technique and was determined to win. Ha! We took a ride on the big tractor through the corn fields before watching the pumpkin cannon shoot out pumpkins across the field. Definitely a highlight for Carter (and Matt!).

 Then it was off to the giant hamster wheel. The kids could have stayed here forever too, taking turns pushing each other and falling over, but other kids had the same idea so we headed off for more fun.

 Pumpkin tic tac toe and hammering nails into stumps.

 Simon asked all day to do this and was so happy when he grabbed that hammer.

 Matt surprised the kids with some kettle corn (aka bribery knowing the corn maze was next and we were bound to get lost). We let Simon play at the baseball toss another 20 minutes before heading over to the corn maze.

 And for the first time ever we didn't get lost!! Either the maze was easier this year or the kids have a much better sense of direction than I do. It only took us about 20 minutes to get through and no one yelled, whined or got upset. Win win!!

 Human foosball and a walk through the pumpkin patch ended the day. Simon was sound asleep before we even left the parking lot I'm hoping to visit a few more farms this month to really enjoy the beauty and fun of where we live.

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