Harvesting, carving, and decorating the pumpkins

Well, the time finally came to harvest the Roderick pumpkins...both of them! We brought them inside and helped Makayla decorate the littlest pumpkin. I ended up carving the big one by myself. Makayla simply lost interest. I did not throw the pulp over the deck this year. Where does that leave us in the plan for next year's pumpkin patch? No worries...I saved some seeds for planting. At least this time we can choose where the pumpkins will (hopefully) grow. Pictures from the evening:

BEFORE

AFTER

Not sure who's cuter...Makayla or her pumpkin?!

Admiring her transformed pumpkin.

Play dates and Playdough

Saturday was a cold, rainy day...perfect for a play date. The house was filled with squeals and giggles. I couldn't help but giggle myself. I also took some time to step back and observe. I love to watch children at play. I love to see how their minds work. Here are a few pictures of Makayla and her friends playing with homemade playdough (Thanks Susie for the playdough!)

What a day...an AMAZING day!

We got up semi-early, had breakfast, went to church, and then to mom and dad's to celebrate my upcoming birthday day. We had Chinese take-out, a cotton candy Blizzard cake, and even Pin the Tail on the Donkey (thanks to my nephew Daniel). It all seemed like such a normal day...until we got home. We were supposed to be joined by Seth's parents for pizza for dinner. Instead, I was greeted by the finest...my family and friends! Surprise!!! What overwhelming joy. I didn't know what to say, so it was hugs for everyone...all around the room. We ate, had cake, laughed and talked...well, a few watched football! :) My husband and friends worked so hard to make sure each detail was perfect...from black flowers on the cake to a spider pinata just for me (filled with Hershey kisses). Oh, it's scary how well they know me! My father-in-law made yummy lasagna and everyone brought food to share. Everything was amazing! To top it all off, Seth did finish my craft room. It is absolutely perfect. I can't wait to get to work on my scrapbooking...I'm way behind. I didn't take many pictures at the party, but will post some soon. Hopefully, I'll get some pics from all of the wonderful people that were there.

What a day! I think what hit me the most wasn't that I was turning 30, but that there were so many people who thought enough of me to take time to share in this celebration with me...moved me to tears!!!

Another day...another pumpkin patch!

Well, we've certainly been psyched about pumpkins this year! Could it be that it's because Makayla loves them so? :) Ours are almost ready to be picked. Carving will soon follow!

Today, Mom and I took Makayla to another pumpkin patch and farm. This trip was a little colder than our last one. Makayla loved running around to visit all of the sights. Her favorite thing this trip was visiting the live bunnies. I wish I had video of that. She just squealed with delight every time one came out of its hut.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Someone else's shoes...

Makayla has been a huge fan of "soos" for a while now. She got so excited this evening when we laid out her clothes for church tomorrow and I showed her her new pair of shoes. She wore them, carried them around, and chattered about them up until bedtime. She has started taking more interest in our shoes as well. Here she is trying mine out for size. She certainly is all girl! I love it!

Sunday Morning Smiles

Makayla woke up this morning in the best of moods. It seemed that everything made her giggle and smile. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures. I must say, she was looking pretty adorable! :)

Roderick Pumpkin Patch vs. The Other Guys...You Decide

There's something about having the day off when you know everyone else is at work. It just makes me so giddy! We had an amazing day together as a family. The highlight of our day was going to the pumpkin patch. First a few pics of our pumpkin patch:





There were so many things to see and do at the "other guys' " patch. Makayla's favorite part was meandering through the hay bales. By the time we went in search of the perfect pumpkin, Makayla's stomach was controlling her thoughts. She just kept asking for goldfish crackers. She did enjoy the little pumpkins that she could hold. We'll use the pumpkins from the Roderick patch for carving.

Tomorrow, Makayla, Mimi, and I are off to a fall craft festival. I love this time of year!!!

October 1st?!

I can't believe that it is October already. I love summer, but I also enjoy the changing of the seasons. It is certainly starting to feel like fall. The weather is getting cooler, the days shorter, and we have pumpkins growing in the backyard. Am I really that domesticated? No, they are growing from the seeds I pitched over the deck last fall! Makayla loves to go look at them daily...is it that, or does she really like going back there to play in the rocks?! :)

Updates in our life:
Seth continues to work in the craft room and watch football.

Makayla is getting over an ear infection. She is a little chatterbox. Her new favorite phrase is, "whasat?" Translation: What's that? She loves to read books and explore everything. Her new favorite songs/games are Ring Around the Rosie and Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. Her renditions are the BEST! I've been trying to video tape her more lately...she's hard to keep up with! She will be 14 months old on the 9th. Wow! Here's a picture of her this morning.

As for me, I'm just staying busy in the roles of teacher and mom. I also love being a wife, but boy have my homemaker skills been slacking since school started (okay, I know someone will laugh...do I really have any homemaker skills?!). I have enjoyed a little "me time" lately. A friend of mine and I went to D.C. last Saturday to the National Book Festival. We were able to meet the author Jan Brett, and have her sign one of her books. I got her latest Gingerbread Friends for Makayla for Christmas. Another sign of my dorkiness...I had to take a picture of her signing Makayla's book.



I also finished my last cake decorating course. I decided not to sign up for the next course...maybe in the spring. Here is my final...a tiered cake.



I'm looking forward to some family time as I skip school on Friday. I've decided to take a personal day to be with Seth and Makayla. Weather permitting, we will take Makayla to the pumpkin patch...I know who needs to visit a pumpkin patch when we have one of our own? Just remember...I am the one harvesting them. My black thumb haunts me!

Happy Fall!