Fall is officially here, and we are out exploring every bit it has to offer. And looking at our calendar, it doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon! Not that I'm complaining. There is nothing I love more than a calendar full of wonderful activities with friends and family. And with fun, comes lots of pictures!
Story Time at the Farm
We found a local farm that was offering story time this month. Unfortunately, the day didn't fall on our Mommy Days (as Henry refers to the days the boys get to stay home with me), but it was on Grandma Day (probably goes without explanation, but this is the day Grandma Debbie watches the boys). Not content to just hear the stories, I wanted to see what they did for myself. So, I played hooky from work one morning to join them. And I had so much fun, I played hooky the next week as well!
The boys have a ton of fun at story time. Books are read, songs are sung, and then everyone heads out to explore the farm. They get to feed the chickens, check out the gardens, dig for fairy stones (colorful rocks buried in dirt in the Children's Garden) and they can even pick something to eat. The only rule is they can only pick as much as they're going to eat. Henry's top choices are apples and broccoli.
After the farm, we headed to a nearby park for some playing and a picnic lunch. . .
Peek a Boo!
Unfortunately story time on the farm is over with for the year, but it gives us something to look forward to next spring!
Pumpkin Patch #1 - Bella Organic Farms
Last Friday, I convinced Nate to play hooky (I'm such a bad influence!) and we headed out for an early pumpkin patch adventure on Sauvie Island. Earlier this month, I purchased a few deals on corn mazes (1/2 off), so excited to begin fall. And Bella Organic Farms' Oregon Ducks Maze was our first stop on the pumpkin patch adventure train! We got our tickets, and headed into the nearly empty corn maze (I guess a Friday in September is not too busy this time of year). Owen was strapped into the backpack on Daddy's back and Henry went running around the corners.
And it was about at this point that I started patting myself on the back for such an amazing and fun idea. Oh, fall. How I love pumpkin patches and corn mazes.
And as we chose turn after turn, I was thinking how much fun the boys were having and how I couldn't wait for the next corn maze. Maybe today after we finished this one? Probably not, but maybe tomorrow . . . Man, do I know how to choose fun things for the boys, or what?! And Nate must be thrilled he took the day off for this!
And then Henry started complaining that his boots hurt. OK. No worries! They're probably not the most comfortable, but we brought shoes too, just in case. Oh. They were left in the car. So, that won't work . . .
OK, so Henry is getting a bit heavy on my shoulders, but with a little trading off and some walking, it should be no problem. And now Owen wants out of the backpack. So that's a little trickier. But still fun. We're good.
Now both boys need snacks. We have some, no worries. Hmmm. . . they've eaten those pretty quickly, we'll have to ration what we have left until we get out of the corn maze. I mean, we've been in here an hour, I'm sure we're getting near the end! We'll just move a bit quicker, but, we're still good! I still stand by my idea. Corn mazes are awesome. Kind of.
Aha! It's one of the scarecrows with the checkpoint number and the map on the bottom. I bet we're at the last one!
OK, that can't be right. We're only in the middle? Seriously?? But it's fine. We'll just take a good look at the map and we'll be out in no time. Sure, my legs are tired and my back, shoulders and arms are burning from carrying the boys, but we'll make it. No worries. So we take off. Getting close now!
And 10 minutes of speed walking later, we're back at the same scarecrow. Now it's just mocking me. But, we've so got this. Let's just try again.
Henry keeps asking if we're done yet because he wants to jump in the bounce house like I promised him over an hour and a half ago. And Nate and I start snapping at each other a bit with each turn. "No, it's that way. I'm sure of it." "No, we just came from that way." "Well, I just want out of here, I can't take this any longer." "Is that the same wrapper that Owen picked up and put down at the beginning of the maze?" "Yep. I think we've passed that 3 times now." I was feeling a bit like one of those couples on The Amazing Race that you roll your eyes at and think, can't they just figure this out and be nice to each other? And I honestly think they should have a corn maze on that show. I mean, imagine the drama. Especially if you strapped 2 kids to their backs. Luckily, discussing my random Amazing Race thoughts with Nate seemed to relax us a bit as we kept racing around turn after turn.
Just as I was about to duck and run through the corn in a desperate attempt to get out, we managed to find our way out of the actual exit (the complete opposite direction, by the way). So there really was a way out.
While Henry and Owen happily climbed into the bounce house, I decided that maybe, just maybe, 1 corn maze was enough for this year. Feel free to remind me of that when I get all giddy over fall and decide it's a good idea again soon. And, to be clear, I am in no way admitting that it was a bad idea to do this corn maze. I argue that this maze was just too difficult for my liking. And I'm not stubborn. Not at all.
Pumpkin Patch #2(ish) - The Pumpkin Patch
After spending some time in the bounce house at Bella Organic Farms, we decided it was time for some lunch. Unfortunately during the week, there weren't many options there, so we headed down the road to The Pumpkin Patch hoping they would have something. And they did. So Henry, Owen & I hung out in the flower fields while we waited for Nate to get the lunch.
After eating, we avoided the corn maze, checked out the animals in the animal barn and picked out some fall decor & produce from the market. I was disappointed to find out that the hay ride to the pumpkin patch doesn't run during the week until October, so we called it a day. Which was probably for the best since both boys crashed in the car as soon as we pulled out of the parking lot!
A comparison of the boys at this pumpkin patch last year and this year. Unfortunately they switched up the pumpkins on me, so the comparison didn't work out quite like I was hoping. Apparently the boys have shrunk since last year . . .
Soccer
Henry started soccer last weekend! We signed him up for a Daddy & Me soccer class for their own special weekend outing. And of course I showed up to take pictures with Owen as my assistant. Unfortunately, Owen wasn't the doting assistant I was hoping he would be and after a quick snack in the stroller, he headed out to join the older kids. He so badly wants to be one of the big kids! All I can say, is that I'm thrilled that the coach had a ton of extra soccer balls piled in the corner as a distraction for Owen. I'm sure that's why he did it.
And as far as Henry? He loved it! He did a wonderful job of following all the instructions and kicking the ball around. He loved matching up the colored jerseys & cones with the colored flags. He had so much fun learning all the warmups and rules ("No Hands!"). And as a bonus, his friend Caroline (dressed in purple in the pictures) from school is also taking these soccer lessons.
And as a treat after soccer, we stopped at Starbucks for coffee for Nate and me and smoothies for the kids. It was not the relaxing outing I was hoping for, but the boys had fun.
Everett's Cowboy Party
Yeehaw! Last weekend we also wandered on over to Everett's cowboy themed birthday party. The kids had a ton of fun running around and playing & us parents took full advantage of the photo area they had set up. And again, Owen just tried to be one of the big kids!
Colton, Harper & Henry posing while Owen works on his balance (he didn't fall, for the record).
Everett, Owen, Harper, Colton & Henry
And John woke up from his nap in time to join the photos
The littlest cowpokes
Pump It Up
Mommy learned an important lesson this week. Check and double check the schedule of the Children's Museum before going. And for the record, it's CLOSED on Mondays. Unfortunately, I didn't find this out until after promising it to Henry and driving all the way out there to meet up with Avonlea and Jean. This is when the lesson was reinforced. Our OMSI membership is up this month, so we decided heading over there instead would be a great idea. So, between Henry's sobs, I convinced him to try out this other really cool museum. I then checked my phone for directions only to find out that OMSI is also CLOSED on Mondays. Double fail for Mommy and double the tears for Henry. The zoo was out of the question according to both Henry and Avonlea and I was feeling pretty awful for disappointing Henry not once, but twice. Luckily, Jean saved the day by suggesting a big bounce playground called Pump It Up. Henry cried pretty dramatically for most of the drive there (I can't blame him, and really didn't know what to say to comfort him, but I did briefly entertain the thought of breaking into the museum). Finally I explained to him that we were done crying, and that we needed to take deep breaths and embrace the new plan for our day (fully expecting him to cry louder). But instead, he instantly calmed down, took some deep breaths and told me his was ready for the bounce house place. I was so incredibly proud of him. Even as an adult, I have a difficult time dealing with disappointment, so for my 3 year old to act so mature was something very unexpected.
Unfortunately it was pretty dark in there, so I didn't get very good pictures. Plus, Owen was determined to run the opposite direction from Henry at all times, so I really didn't have much time for pictures. But here are the few I did manage to snap . . .
After Dark
Last night I glanced out the window to see an amazing sunset. So, armed with my camera, I headed out to the back deck to take a few pictures. And Henry & Owen took this opportunity to slip out behind me and play in what little light was left.
And as the sun disappeared, the fun came out. Although not intentionally. Those boys sure know how to carpe diem! I decided to clean up the infant bath tub filled with toys off of the deck since summer water play days were surely behind us. But the boys got in one last hurrah by grabbing the hose from me and living it up. Henry managed to drench himself, me, Nate & Owen (I think Tilly was the only one quick enough to escape the wayward sprays), but there was nothing Nate and I could do but laugh and watch the fun the brothers were having. Seriously, how could I stop them when they're making each other giggle and having so much fun together?
And now that I'm caught up from last week & weekend, let the next busy weekend begin!
