Jack-o-Lantern

It's been a pretty quiet weekend around here.  I had to work all day Saturday and also Sunday afternoon.  I started feeling yucky on Saturday night (headache, sore throat, fever and chills) and now Derek and I are both feeling sick tonight.  It is not much fun to take care of two healthy, energetic kids when both Mom and Dad just want to sit in a dark room with no noise.  However, we did manage to carve a pumpkin before I went to bed at 9:30 last night.

Punky requested a pumpkin with "lots of teeth", so I went online to find an "easy Jack-o-Lantern template".  Let me tell you, it was by no means easy to do.

She says she wants to try the pumpkin seeds.  We will try roasting them later this week when we feel better.

Buddy got bored, so we gave him some markers and he had a lot of fun coloring on the pumpkin and the paper.

Happy Halloween!

 

X Marks the Spot

This weekend we headed to Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Max's farm.  We hadn't been to visit all summer and we wanted to make sure we came before the weather got cold.

Grandma and Grandpa moved from the town I grew up in when Punky was about 9 months old.  At first, I was sad because my kids wouldn't know the house I grew up in or get to visit my favorite places.  But, after visiting Grandma and Grandpa's new house, I knew that this was a special place that would be exciting for my kids to visit.

Both Derek and I grew up in small towns.  Before we had kids, we talked about how we didn't want our kids to be "city kids".  At Grandma and Grandpa's, Punky and Buddy will be able to get dirty and explore the outdoors.  I can't wait for the day when we can push them out the door and tell them to go outside, get into (a little) trouble, and have fun!

Grandpa planned a Treasure Hunt for Punky.  It was a big hit!  Punky had so much fun "reading" the clues, searching for the clues and finding the treasure underneath the X.

Finding the first clue in the birdhouse.

Running towards the next clue.

Found it!

Buddy got distracted and wanted to check out Grandpa's barn

Punky did some donuts with Grandpa's new lawn mower.

Buddy chickened out when he went to sit on the big tractor.

X marks the spot!

M&Ms!!

Later that afternoon, we headed to a neighbors house to see some farm animals.  According to Buddy, no weekend is complete without seeing animals.

We had a busy day planned for Sunday.  After church, we were going to go out to eat, then go visit my Grandma in the nursing home.  During church, Punky cuddled up in my lap and fell asleep, yes she fell asleep.  I immediately knew there was a problem because she didn't even fall asleep in my arms at 6 months old.  She had a fever and had no appetite.  We went to the pharmacy after church and Punky threw up in the car while I was buying medicine inside.  Derek took her back to Grandma and Grandpa's house while the rest of us went out to eat.  Punky was asleep when we got back, so Buddy, Grandma and I headed to the nursing home.  It was a rough night of sleeping because neither Punky or Buddy felt great.  Luckily it was just a 24 hour fever.  Everyone is at home now and feeling well!  Despite the sickness, we had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's farm!

It's a 2 horse ride weekend!

Guest Blogger Derek here, back for another post.  Erin had to work Saturday and Sunday this weekend, but Punky and Buddy had a very full social calendar so we were on the run.  Saturday morning, we met a group of friends Punky made through DHH class.  Punky's teacher Cassie set it up.  We met everyone at the apple orchard for the morning.

First, it was mass chaos with everyone having to check out the pumpkins and gourds.

We never made it past the animals and the play areas set-up by the restaurant.  The kids all had a blast climbing on everything, feeding the animals, taking a short horseback ride, and enjoying some snacks.  Even though a light drizzle started and put an early end to the fun, it was great to see everyone and we all had a great time.

Buddy just wanted to stand behind the tractor - he didn't want to move over to the correct spot no matter what!

Horsey!

Everyone checking out the goats.

Snack time!

After the orchard, we came home and rested for the next trip.  We picked up Erin as she ended her Saturday shift at the library, met a couple of her coworkers, and went to my coworker Rob's annual Oktoberfest party.  Unfortunately, I forgot the camera, but the kids had a blast jumping on the trampoline (whoever invented the safety net must have had toddlers), playing with glowsticks, eating snacks, bobbing for apples, and chasing around their dog.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, church, and Erin smoothly pulling off a trip to Solo's for lunch, we headed west to meet Grandma Trudi and Grandpa Scott at a fun farm an hour and a half away.  We met them there last year, so the kids knew what to expect, but it was another very fun day again.

HI DEER!

Wait your turn!

We're flowers Daddy!

We're still overjoyed on horseback ride #2!

 The farm added a new building this year - a bird house.  There were a ton of canaries flying around, and there were popsicle sticks with birdfood that you could buy which would get the birds to come to you.  On our first trip, the birds were very friendly and willing to come to you.  The second trip, the birds were full from feeding all day and were much more hesitant.  We were able to coax a few around and the kids enjoyed having the beautiful birds so close.

This might be my favorite picture of the day - this bird stuck around for a long time for Punky to study all of her colors.  Notice Buddy in the background trying to get Grandma to help 'Get a bird, Grandma!'

We were busy making the rounds.  The Giant Slide and the Ducky Pump Station were among the favorites again.  Buddy mixed in some headers into the corn pit along the way.

I'm not sure what it is, but Punky is infatuated with this game.

 

Giant slide - Buddy with Grandma and Punky with Grandpa.

     

Punky and Buddy were pretty excited to go on their 'own'.  Of course, right after this I dumped Buddy off of his mat, but he was no worse for the wear.

Corn Angel!

Corn is soft, right?!?!

I'm good!

He doesn't ever get to hold Chuck like this at home.

Punky found a very friendly orange kitty.

After the fun time.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

After the farm, we came home to greet Erin.  Buddy crashed hard about a half hour before we made it back, but he rallied to make it through supper, bath, and story time.  It was a great weekend!  Thanks everyone for the fun times!