"Pumpkin Patch" visit

I'm using the term "pumpkin patch" very loosely, since I doubt Phoenix has ever produced a single local pumpkin, but we still try to get in the spirit of things.  We discovered a local(ish) farm that offered hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch, and since Morgan has been dying to ride a horse (I'm guessing because they feature heavily in Disney movies) we made the drive and plunked our money down.  After signing a waiver (really?!), Morgan took a tentative ride on Dos with a death grip on the pommel.  I reluctantly agreed to walk with her, because as I realized shortly into our ride, flip flops and horse trails do not mix.  It was not the easiest assignment to keep one hand on Morgan while hopping around the horse droppings decorating our way.  Morgan was sold on horses by the end of her ride, and we had to drag her off to the other activities.

A hay maze can become much more complicated when you let your child choose the route

Again, a petting zoo is not the best place for flip flops.  I think sometimes that I'm so zealous in preparing the kids for any eventuality that I don't take any thought for myself.  Obviously.

"Mom, they have poo on their bums!"

Riding horse #2, Ruby.

Erik was actually there at the big event, cheering Morgan on, but as Sam slept on Erik the whole time, he became the designated picture taker.  A very successful outing, except that Morgan has now started asking for a horse as a Christmas present.  A live one.

PS.  The pumpkin patch, you wonder?  We took a long hay ride to get to a little grove, where hay bales and pumpkins were strategically piled to look a tad bit more festive than the local grocery store.  We did not pay extra to "pick" a pumpkin.

October Festivities

We've been kind of busy around here- it seems like October to New Years is a nonstop race to stay ahead of everything that needs to be done.  I'm failing at it this year, but at least I'm failing at a constant pace, not an epic free fall.  I'm in the "behind on everything" track, not the "I've given up completely and am waiting for next year" track.  Although that last option does sound tantalizingly peaceful.  Round one of our busy season: Morgan's birthday.  We were so busy mingling, cooking, and doing tantrum control that we kinda forgot about taking pictures. Oh well. At least the food was better than last year (think epic Elmo cupcake fail).

Riding her new bike while playing her new guitar.  She takes laps around the kitchen while singing to "Rockin' Robin."

Erik bet that Morgan would only have one meltdown during the party, and I voted for a more pessimistic two.  I won.