Pumpkin Patch 2012

 

We have a lovely little organic farm that does an awesome pumpkin patch just a way from our house. We went last year and I think it got even better this year.

Growing up, we went to a few and I can remember doing to corn maze, which was always super fun. When we arrived, Paisley almost hyperventilated looking at all the fun things to do. She didn’t even know where to run first when we walked in to the main area. It was good to see, we knew she would love it since last year she was barely walking. She was surprisingly comfortable with the animals and exited to touch them. We went with some friends and all the kids had a great time together.

We had to secretly put the “wristband” on her ankle because she would not accept the pretty bracelet that they had given her. Luckily, she forgot about it soon enough.

Last year I forgot my camera and I’m so glad that I remembered this morning. We went with some friends that had kids as well so it was a really good time. I’m so glad that this will be a new tradition we have for our family. We loved roaming around the farm, jealous of all the amazing produce and flowers they had grown. I admired the sunflowers and Andrew talked with our friends about how to get a garden going.

The jumping pillow was absolutely hilarious. The other kids quickly took their shoes off and joined in the fun, while Paisley got on and was being bounced around screaming and looking like a limp noodle. A Daddy intervention really did not make her much braver.

We played through naptime so I knew she would be exhausted!

I loved this tiny cherry tomato maze. She knew what they were right when she saw them because she has been picking them from Mamu & Papa’s garden for a few months now.

After spending less than 4 hours there, we were exhausted. When we got back into the car, we were shocked to see it was only 2pm and we wanted to crawl into bed and take a nap. One last thing to do was ride the tractor out to the patch and get our family pumpkins. She loved this part as she explored the patch for a good pumpkin, tripping over just about every vine she encountered and getting right back up without complaint.

We had a really good time, and can’t wait for next year!

 

We go to bed at eight thirty

 

Eight thirty (seven thirty last night) is just enough time to get comfortable on the couch after putting Miss Pea to bed, firing up the DVR, and possibly having a bowl of cereal before both Andrew and I are comatose on the couch.

I have been here, but not here. In a way, for me, busy-ness=creativity. I have taken SO many photos in the past few weeks, thought so many thoughts, written so many posts (in my head) and it just never has come to fruition because we have been busy. I love this busy-ness that comes with the month of October. We have been to the pumpkin patch, celebrated a little girl’s birthday in many ways, we have been dancing in the kitchen, we have been spending time with cousins, and we have been smooching grandparents. Living life. It’s documenting that little life that has fallen behind in the past few weeks. That’s okay, goodies ahead.

Normally, it would be normal (and expected) to assume that I am putting off Pea’s birthday acknowledgement/celebration/photos because I am in utter denial and I am crying in the corner. Actually, I feel terrible that I will have to show off the party late and have yet to even take her two year old pictures ::hangs head::. We shall have another busy weekend.

Isn’t this sunflower beautiful? I took this photo at the pumpkin patch a few weekends ago.

What a week

I’ve been coming home to crusted-on cereal bowls and wadded up paper towels on the dining room table. Each evening, the state of the house is a reminder of how my morning went. Somehow, if I managed to fill up both bathroom counters, it was a gooood morning. Often I’m pulling my hair out before 6:45am.

On the other hand, I have to say I don’t mind the fact that Andrew leaves for work before we get up and he comes home after we have been home for awhile because it means MOMMY gets the drop off, the pick up, the how’s your day, everything. That’s MY job; and I like it that  way.

In case you are wondering, yes we do fight over almost everything involving Pea, such as who gets to read to her, who puts her to bed, who’s lap she sits on, etc., etc., etc..

The one thing I don’t put up a fight for is bath time because, well, I hate bath time. I’ve said it before and I’m not ashamed of it. The only time it’s good is Friday night when Pea and I take a bath together and relax (why didn’t they put a spa tub in my master bath suite?! Geez, the two of us barely fit).

Here’s a few photos of our week:

Don’t let this sweet face fool you

&

On this work day, she decided to get up early and “help” me get ready.

I don’t waste any time when all the pumpkin stuff comes out- my favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.

&

A little smell good for the house, too.

The very first day that my girl would not take a nap at school. This is her on the way home that day.

&

Our evening walk…there is NO filter on this beautiful sunset. Sometimes, the desert just delivers.

flowers, fall, and mama love

 

How does you garden grow?

We have planted 3 plants now in the back with about 543 to go. It will be a fun process to see how our backyard becomes full of life from the desolate dirt field it started out as. We have learned that when plants say “full sun”, they mean full San Diego sun, full Santa Barbara sun. Not full Sahara Desert sun. Which is what they get here. Which can be a problem. I’ve heard Lantana does well here. So, here we go.

Forcing fall.

C’mon. Every year, we fake fall. We pretend that there are orange leaves and a chill in the air. We pretend that it’s cool enough to bake special treats and sometimes, only sometimes, I put on closed-toe shoes and a cardigan until I become a melty, sweaty mess and revert back to the truth. Because in between the beach sandals and snow boots is something oh so lovely. We will pretend.

Make this recipe and die happy.

“Pay”.

translation: play.

Toys. My girl doesn’t really play with them. She will read books or do a puzzle over just about anything. Ride on toys, things that flash, things that sing, oh- and that Speak and Say that EVERY kid loves? She hasn’t touched it more than 5 times since I bought it, even with some encouraging from me. So as many times a day that she pulls our finger into her room to play. “Play” is a funny word. She really just wants you to sit in her room and watch her read and do puzzles or take every toy out of the basket and tell you a sentence about it.

Mama love.

The spree continues. Mama gets to rock her to sleep at night, she kisses my ears (so cute), and comes to me when she needs extra dramatic sympathy for a non-existent problem. I will continue to soak in being the “one” and know my time may be fleeting.

Ambitious for a Tuesday, right? Only took me two full days to compose. Now, to finish my week feeling like I did something. :)