Traditions

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

That's right, I am not ashamed to admit I'm already listening to Christmas music. I used to make myself wait until after Thanksgiving, and then I would feel so disappointed because the Christmas season went by way too fast. So Christmas season now starts in October for me. Oh, who am I kidding! I was already buying Christmas presents in February. But the real feeling of excitement starts with all the fall traditions.

Last week we went to Linder Farm's pumpkin patch. Twice. On the same day. And it was so fun that I think we'll do it that way from now on - go once in the morning and then go back in the evening.

So in the morning, the kids and I went with our friends from the Tuesday morning playgroup we go to. It was a beautifully sunny day and we had the place almost completely to ourselves, thanks to the advice to come after 11:00. We got a mini lesson on growing pumkins, got to pet the ponies, took a hay-ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin, and then the kids got to play in the corn bin and the hay bale maze.

Annie and her best friend (other than me),
Boston

"I'll take this one! You carry it, mom."

Annie and friends, Dora and Kaylyn

On the hayride - Riley LOVED it!!

You might be a redneck if your kid's playpen is a tractor tire.

When it was time to go, Annie almost had a meltdown. Thankfully, I was able to comfort her by saying we were coming back that night. It also didn't hurt that we were going to Grandma Cook's house for naps. Crisis averted.

So back we came that night (after Happy Meals at McDonald's) and this time with daddy and all our "flammy." Annie got to ride the barrel train with cousin Ally and run through the maze with Sierra. She was even brave enough to enjoy the swing merry-go-round this year, although the first 30 seconds were rocky. Riely was content to play in the tractor tires.


Handsome guys!



The corn bin, possibly Annie's favorite.

Once she started to enjoy it.

Annie belted out "The Farmer in the Dell"
at the top of her lungs - poor Ally!

At the end of the hayride.

Annie made it through the whole maze
with the help of her cousins.

It was dark by the time we left, and Annie pointed out the "beautiful red stars" (lights on electricity towers). She then proceeded to sing about 14 jumbled verses of "Away in a Manger." Which put Riley right to sleep.