Our trip to the Pumpkin Patch

It's official! Halloween is almost here.

Never you mind the fact that it was in the 90s yesterday. We pumpkin-hunters must soldier on!

Our friend K suggested Conner's A-Maize-Ing Acres to me when I was asking about local orchards or pumpkin patches. She said it was really great, and we thought Turtle would love it. As a side note, I was looking forward to it, probably more than he was. You know, because he had no idea where we were going and what we were planning. :)

Of course, no good things come without challenge. Check out these warnings.... Sorry. I mean "directions" to get to Conner's. Please note how they start out in hostile red, quickly switch to energetic green, and then settle into a neutral black. I admit it: I was nervous and contemplated packing a lunch, a change of clothes and a compass.



But my fears were unnecessary. Despite passing the questionable, but defunct "Cynthia's Big Bite Delight" and a sign that read "Goats 4 Sale," we made it to the farm without incident. Yay for us.

Our first photos didn't come out. The humidity was such that my camera lens kept fogging and it's just really hard to keep a toddler doing the same thing over and over for the perfect shot. So we moved on.

I popped him on this saddle. He loves his bouncy pony at home, and he loved this just as much. Do you hear that, DH? Turtle wants a horsey!



Next up was the plastic tub of dried corn kernels. Turtle was absolutely not sure about this when we popped him in. Then DH started burying his legs in the corn, and his whole attitude changed.



He loved helping out.



After checking his diaper for errant kernels, we proceeded out of the barn and into the fields. There was a little hay maze set up for kids, and when we approached, there was a group of adults, clustered around, poking at something, and making exclamations like "Would you look at that there thing?" and "He's a biggun!"

I crept up behind them to see this giant Wolf spider. We have Wolf spiders in our home. I kill them without a second thought. Normally, they are about the size of a nickel. It's a damn good thing I smush them at that size, because apparently, they can grow to this, which is about the size of my hand. I really wanted DH to stick his hand next to it so I could do a size comparison, but he pretended not to hear my request.



Turtle, making his way through the maze.



And with his daddy. My boys. I love it when they are this happy.



Caught in the act! Look at him, trying to sneak up on that big boy swing! Who the heck does he think he is?



A family picture on the rocking swing.



Hey, B. Check it out. These are swings. You should try it out.



See? Just make puppy dog eyes at your Daddy, and he'll help you. Just like mine.



Let me narrate this scene: DOGGY!!!!! Hi, dawg! PUPPY! OMG, did you see the dog? There's a puppy! DOGGY!!!!! You know, just in case you weren't sure.



Hello, pooch. I see you down there. I'm keeping an eye on you.



Then it was on to the ride-ons! Turtle just loved this pink tractor.



And this very realistc, child-sized bulldozer. (Dear Santa, We do NOT need one. Thanks.)



The next two pictures are a study in irony and amusement. Are you ready?

#1....



#2...



I have been asked to remind my readers that this tricycle-riding gentleman is a happily married man. You may be jealous, but you may not have (You're welcome, K. He's all yours!)

Finally, getting to hang out with some pumpkins.



This one was almost as big as Turtle.



I tried to pry the snack trap away from him, but he was having none of it. So, here's my child. Gobbling goldfish crackers in this charming autumn tableau.



This is as much "posing" as I'm gonna do, Mom.



Seriously, this is how much I love my kid. I clambered into a plastic drum, with a hole cut out, an elementary school chair bolted in, and painted to look like a heifer, so that Turtle could ride the cow train.



He wasn't thrilled with having to wait for everyone to board. Thank goodness for K, behind me, who was kind enough to try to distract him from her cow.



Wheeee!



K and B.



Daddy's turn!



Listening to the rules. K and I think Miss T was eyeing up our menfolk. We made a decision to grab the kids and run, leaving the husbands to fend for themselves, if push came to shove.



Wheeee!



And just because we weren't having enough adventures, we climbed this hay bale. I was wearing a skirt.



There was no ladder. This was good, ol'-fashioned climbing.



No one was mooned in the creation of this picture. At least, not that we know of.



Conner's is famous for its 3 mile long corn maze. We took one look at the pooped kids, the high noon sun, and the time. And we decided it would be better to just stick Turtle next to some of the corn and take some pictures. There was no way he was making 3 miles.



Neat. But I'm tired.



Alright, I'll fake a little interest.



Last stop, the henhouse.



This friendly donkey came right on over to say hi.



Hello, Mr. Goat.



OMG DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS???? IT'S A WITTLE BITTY BABY GOAT!!! WANT!!!

Sorry. It was really. really. cute.



Feeding the goats.



In the immortal words of Turtle. All. Done.



He was asleep before we hit the "Goats 4 Sale" sign.

Later that night, we babysat for some friends of ours. Turtle was not entirely sure of her. He kept looking at her like "What are you?"



Even Miss A was dressed in Hurricane spirit! She is such a doll!



We had such a blast with another baby in the house. She was the perfect guest.

And, on that note, I'm watching Game 3 of Yanks vs. Twins, so I'm going to wrap it up. Happy Sunday!