In what’s become a fun family tradition, every year in October we load up the kids, meet the grandparents, and tromp out into the mud to secure our Halloween pumpkins. Last weekend was our annual visit to the pumpkin patch and, once again, we were reminded that it’s not about the pumpkins. In fact, this year J and I decided that we would avoid the pumpkin field all together (too muddy) and grab a couple of pre-picked, pre-washed pumpkins conveniently located on the way to the car. So what did we do for two hours at the pumpkin patch? Had a fabulous time of course!
First stop was the obligatory pony ride. Clare didn’t remember the pumpkin patch from last year and wasn’t all that keen when I told her we were going. However, when we promised her a pony ride she perked up and pretty much talked about it for the whole 20 minute drive to the patch. “I will ride a pony. I will ride a white pony. I want to ride a baby pony or a big sister pony, not a mama pony or a daddy pony. The pony will go fast and I will ride it. Sammy won’t ride a pony, since he’s just a baby.” And on and on and on…
What a difference from the pony rides last year. This year Clare didn’t want anyone to walk next to her, she smiled the whole time, chatted with the lady leading the pony, and was such a big, confident girl. She actually got two pony rides out of the deal (ahem, Grandma) and loved every minute of them both.
Besides pony rides, we had a hay ride, got some lunch, and enjoyed a few hours out on the farm. Oh yeah, and we got a couple of pumpkins.
Where was Sammy through this whole thing? Well, he fell asleep on J’s back during the corn maze (yep, there was a corn maze too) and slept through the hay and pony rides. He did wake up for lunch though, of course, and some grandparent cuddling. Next year, I predict that he’ll be jumping in mud puddles.
