The Rest of October

When we left for vacation, our Oregon world was still very unseasonably green, but when we returned, it was in a blaze of Autumn glory. The pumpkin patch awaited, the air had turned crisp, even the angle of light seemed to have shifted. Fall at last.

Pumpkin Patch Day

Once again, the school field trip took place at Liepold Farm, known locally not just for pumpkins, but for berries too. This year, the Daddy was able to take the day off from work to join us for the festivities. Due to high amounts of rain in the past week, the corn maze was a stinking muddy mess, so we ended up cheating and taking an emergency exit about 2/3 of the way through. But we considered ourselves winners anyway.

After arriving back home, the Farmboy demonstrated just why he is a great Dad, by undertaking the carving of the pumpkins lesson all by himself. And fun was had by all. Until the guts had to be removed, that is.

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

I always drag my feet when it comes to pumpkin patch time. I can't explain why. I just don't like them. But my kids... they think about field trips to the pumpkin patch with great longing. So, being the good mother that I am, and very glad that their new school lets all of the elementary kids go together instead of splitting into grades, I signed us up.

It rained the day before and it poured the day after, but on the actual day of our field trip, the heavens opened and beams of light and warmth flooded the earth. Which is a very good thing, because I most likely would have called it off otherwise.

We were once again at Liepold Farms in the next community over, and this time, I told the kids, there was no choice for them. If I was going to take them to the pumpkin patch, they were going into the corn maze with me, no complaining allowed.

We picked out pumpkins, posed in plywood cutouts, went on a hayride around the property, and then we conquered the maze.

And I actually had fun.

They wanted to go back again the following weekend with their Dad, but I said no... the pumpkin patch is only a once a year thing. And I'm really, really glad.

Pumpkin Patch

I'm a horrible Mother.

I've never taken my kids to a Pumpkin Patch.

I think Pumpkin Patches are boring and lame and all kinds of ridiculous.

I think the Farmer who first thought up the idea of charging people large amounts of money to see his/her animals, ride on hay bales, walk through his corn patch, and choose a pumpkin was freaking brilliant.

Pumpkin Patches are a total racket.

I don't have a strong opinion about this or anything.

When the Kindergartener found out that there would be a field trip to a local Pumpkin Patch, she was over-the-moon excited. Seriously? I didn't get it. But decided to try to keep my opinion to myself and go along just because I love her so much.

The day before, she was so obsessed with anticipation that she whipped out her art supplies and created masterpieces dedicated to fields of pumpkins and riding on hay.

And the actual field trip was everything she hoped it would be and more.

Me? I would have been bored stiff, if I wasn't so caught up in watching her and her classmates run around with silly delighted grins on their faces.

She wanted to go back again the next day.

I said "No, honey, Pumpkin Patches are a once-a-year kind of trip".

Relief for me, disappointment for her.

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to muster up the enthusiasm of a child. Must be those grey hairs creeping into my mane.