Fall Festival & Family

If December is the most wonderful time of the year, than October is the busiest.

We came straight off of our Frozen On Ice high to welcome Grammy and cousin Larkin into town.  Luckily they had no intentions of taking it easy this past weekend, because we did just the opposite.

On Saturday we headed over to the girl's Pre-School Fall Festival.  This an annual tradition for us. We've been for the past five years and with Lucy bringing up the rear, it looks like we will be attending for another three.

The weather has been all together weird this month.  Last weekend we were chilled to the bone at the Pumpkin Patch and this weekend we nearly melted between the humidity and intermittent rain showers.  It's certainly kept our wardrobe on it's toes.

In addition to our "must do" entrance photo, I persuaded Grammy and Larkin to join in for one.  So glad I did.  And if that wasn't enough, I had Larkin signed up to work Lucy's class Pony Rides.  She was much obliged to help and I know her helping hands were greatly appreciated.

We spent the rest of the festival bouncing around from booth to booth.  Occasionally we hid under a tent to dodge a passing rain shower.

But in between we were able to decorate more pumpkins to add to our front porch.  Geez...we look like we are running our own pumpkin patch right here on the lane.

Maggie has been anticipating the Sand Art since she first got wind that the festival was coming to town.  She worked intently on her pumpkin necklace making sure it was just so.  She is a sand art loving gal.  Actually an art anything loving gal.

We grabbed lunch {and a few family photos} just before the bottom fell out of the sky.  Then we made a zippy bee line to the car with more festival loot than you could imagine.

We returned home pretty damp and very worn out.  But another great day celebrating Fall and all the festivities it has to offer.

The rest of the weekend was filled with valuable family time.  Dear Grammy must have played at least 15 rounds of Sorry! among every other board game we own.

And sweet Larkin was kept busy in Maggie's room playing "animals" and "princesses".  Maggie needed all the help she could get to bathe them and dress them up because, of course, "they were having a party".

And somehow in the midst of all this, we managed to sneak in a family photo shoot with Andrea Wood.  I'm just itching to get my hands on those pictures.  She is such a talented gal and I can only imagine how happy I'l be with the final images.

Another fabulous October weekend {and this one with family}!

And to think there is, oh, so much more to come this month...

Frozen On Ice

We are the epitome of a Frozen fanatic household.  {Although, I imagine every family with a 4 year old girl has that claim to fame}.  Add the 2 year old who wants to and will do anything to be just like her big sister and we are brimming with everything Frozen around here.

So as you can imagine, we were giddy with excitement when we heard the Frozen On Ice show was rolling into town.  We bought tickets the day they went on sale and we have been counting down ever since.

The show was fabulous.  My girls were fabulous despite the trek to the arena and the never ending crowds.  And we came home with nearly every fabulous souvenir.  All in all an amazingly fabulous day.

Let me forewarn you...SPOILER ALERT....Maggie insisted on wearing her Elsa dress.  I could not even begin to say no to that.  But, the big spoiler is...it will also be doubling as her Halloween costume and tripling as her birthday party dress.  That is if it makes it until then.  That dear gown has already been through the wringer as her "after nap go to dress".  Can't say we didn't get our moneys worth on that one.

So after the parking scenario that resembled that of a zoo and then the 1/2 mile trek to the arena, we arrived {with smiles still in tact} and hit the first Frozen goody stand we could find.  We ended up with two flashy spinny wands.  Maggie, of course, chose the Elsa and Anna one.  And to my surprise, Lucy chose Olaf.

We grabbed our seats just in the knick of time.  Another jaunt to say the least.  But, Lucy was loving the welcome from Mickey and Minnie {her absolute newest faves}.

The show was packed full of the Frozen soundtrack, dancing, and lots of skating.  My girls were in complete awe.  After Elsa's performance of Let It Go we grabbed a snowcone during the intermission.

Maggie could not wait to get her hands on one of these souvenir cups.  The snowcone was only an added bonus.

Lucy on the other hand, was all about the ice.  She copped a squat and dug right in.  And then followed this with a ginormous tub of popcorn.  That's my girl.

The second half of the show was just as entertaining as the first.  Lucy made it through the whole thing {an accomplishment in itself for my live-wire 2 year old}.  And Maggie was just as sweet as ever.  Not that I would expect anything less.

Another great day with my two amazing girls!  I'm just loving the joys of sisters...we couldn't have seen a more fitting show.

Now off to more things Fall...we've got a busy weekend ahead.

On My Nightstand: Gone With The Wind

I just finished reading, what is now, my most favorite novel of all times...Gone With The Wind.  My timing was impeccable with it being the 75th anniversary and all.  Seriously, where have I been the last 75 years?  How could it have taken me so long to read this classic?

Oh my, it had it all.  History, romance, drama.  I could hardly eat, drink or sleep, without wondering what Scarlett was up to next.  She has literally consumed my thoughts for the past three months {sorry kiddos}.  Now, if you ask me, that is a sign of an epic book.

I can't deny, I was sorely devastated when I came to the last page.  No it can't be over and no, it can't end like this!  

The only silver lining is that I FINALLY get to dive into the movie.  I'm pretty sure I saw it as a kid, but only snippets are in my memory.  Nothing can compare to how amazing I'm anticipating the flick to be after just finishing up the novel.  Just me Scarlett, Rhett, and some popcorn.  Absolutely divine!

And, of course, I just can't forgo giving 'Scarlett' {the sequel novel} a try.  I certainly don't anticipate anything as great as its predecessor, but I can't go on without knowing what could be...

Oh Scarlett, I do give a damn...and probably too much so.

Happy Reading!

Fall Kick Off

We kicked off Fall this weekend with one of my most favorite traditions...our annual visit to Southern Belle Farm.  This sweet little farm tucked away down South {of all places!} never disappoints.  This is our third October visit and I find it only gets better each time.

I anticipate this yearly tradition nearly as much as the kids do.  Last year, Lucy took her first steps at the pig races {won't that be a classy story to share} and this year, she was running all over the place hot on her big's tails.  With maps in hand, we didn't miss a thing.  And I was loving that Lucy was right in the mix.

The weather never seems to surprise us on our visit.   Last year we practically melted, it was near miserable.  And this year, we had a hit a record low the night before.  I came prepared with every outer garment I could stuff in the car, all the while dreading that the girl's pumpkin dresses may never see the light of day.  But, as the day wore on, we were slowly able to shed our layers.  I could have taken about another 10 degrees {maybe 15}, but all in all the weather was deal able.

As much fun as we did have, I must admit we missed Daddy.  He was off enjoying a much deserved guy's weekend.  Thankfully, Grandma joined us and made the day just that...GRAND.

As soon as we arrived, I was bombed with ..."can we do this and are we going to do that?".  Yes, yes, and yes!  And we did.  So unlike me, but I made the executive decision to farm it up right through nap time.   We departed just in time to eat an early dinner and then I took those filthy farmigans home, bathed them silly, and had them in bed by 6:30.

It was one of our most perfect days...and it all took place out on a farm...

Like I mentioned, we didn't miss a thing.  Our first stop was the corn hut.  This is a must and of course the best way to get good and farm dirty...

We then made our way over to the new and improved Petting Barn.

Lucy was most definitely hesitant of this attraction.  She would only "feed" the animals from the comfort of "am-ma"'s arms.

Next up was the Hay Ride.  We saw just about every kind of produce that can grow in these parts.  Maggie was most amazed by the strawberry fields.

Then the Giant Slide...{which only Jack was brave enough to take part in}.  And about 18 times.

The Duck Races were a huge hit with Lucy.  Of course, it was located under a giant shade tree.  I nearly froze as she raced her purple and pink ducks over and over and over again.  So much so, that Jack headed back to the slide for his 19th ride down and Grandma took Maggie all the way up to the big barn for a potty break.

For a while there it was just me and Lu...and her pretty little ducks.

But, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, was more anticipated than the Corn Maze.  Jack happily so, and me, secretly dreading it.  Last year was a debacle.  First of all, it was sweltering hot in those corn stalks.  Second, we totally did not have the right kind of stroller.  Ours only caused us more pain and anguish.  And lastly, we NEVER got out.  We finally barreled right through the corn and called it a lesson learned.

Well, since then, Jack has been ready to get it right.  Knowing there was absolutely no way of getting around this, I did all I could to prepare.  I borrowed my neighbor's most fabulous double off roading stroller, took a compass, and most importantly, had my Mom with us {one of the best navigators I know}.

And wouldn't you know...we made it out of Maze 2 in a little under 40 minutes.

A serious victory!  Totally worthy of a thumbs up!

We are so not ready for Maze 3 {and I can guarantee we won't be by next year}, but I have a feeling that is exactly what Jack is thinking right now.

Post mission Maze 2, we headed over for some seated fun.  The Pedal Carts.  Obviously, Jack wanted to race me.  And obviously, he won.

But, I could not get enough of this cute thing pedaling around the track...her first time going solo too.  Mmm...what a doll!

Ever since "am-ma" saved Lucy at the Petting Farm, Lucy would not leave her side.  Naturally she wanted to ride with "am-ma" and no one else.  Aren't they a cute pair?  I can proudly admit, I at least beat them.

We made our way to the Jump Pillows next.  Another fan favorite.

And to think she couldn't even walk last year.  Simply irresistible.

We followed that with an ice cream, slushie, and kettle corn break and then we were off to the Cow Train...

Our last stops included the Flower Garden, pumpkin painting, and my most anticipated....the Pumpkin Patch!

By this point, the kids were slap worn out and farmtasictally filthy.  But there was absolutely no way they were getting out of pumpkin patch pictures.  And to my surprise they were willing and ready.

Oh my...how sweet is this little one?

Oh...and this one too?

And I could never be more proud of my strongest and biggest pumpkin of all.

Sweet things!

A successful welcome to Fall!  The rest of our month looks just as note worthy.  We have a calendar full of fabulous October fun.  I'm looking forward to celebrating one of the busiest months of the year with my sweet Pumpkins!

Happy Fall Ya'll!