Applejack Pumpkin Patch 2013

A lifetime ago, when I lived in Pullman, my friend Chelsea and I took our little 6 month old kiddos to their first pumpkin patch.

Before she had suggested that outing, it wasn't even on my radar that going to a pumpkin patch would be a fun, typical autumn activity that my family would grow to love.

I vividly remember putting Maia's carseat into the back of Chelsea's car, next to Owen's and the both of us shaking our heads at the thought of "what if this was our life? two rear facing car seats, but both of them belonging to one of us?"

We shook our heads at the absurdity of the thought.

Haha. 

Joke's on us.

I do believe a few weeks later Chelsea got pregnant, and I wasn't too far behind.

Anyway, this post isn't about the Red Barn Pumpkin Patch. Even though it holds a special place in my heart, as all things you've experienced for the the first time at a certain place tend to do.

This weekend the girls and I and some friends went to the Applejack Pumpkin Patch here in Kansas.

The weather is just starting to hold the crispness of fall and the leaves are beginning to turn.

It was a beautifully sunny, mild afternoon.

Maia's face in this cracks me up. She did not want to take a picture. She wanted to GO ON THE SLIDE!

The zip line was a huge hit.

Even Ruby got brave and gave it a go.

Sweet, tiny Ruby. She couldn't even reach the handle bar on her own!

And of course the "bouncy rainbow" is one of their favorites.

Happy pumpkin patch season everyone!

Pumpkin Patch Take 2

Wichita has redeemed itself.

On Monday we visited the Applejack Pumpkin Patch.

There were so many things to love about this place.

1. They grow their own pumpkins.

2. There is a gorgeous corn maze.

3. They have a pond with beautiful ducks.

4. One word. Playground.

5. Animals!

Now, it certainly wasn't up to zoo standards, or even petting zoo standard, but Maia was satisfied, so it must have been ok.

6. They also have the customary cutouts that are required for proper pumpkin patch photos.

7. The best thing, however, was the big bouncy thing.

They have a tarp that they place over a fan in the ground and it creates a gigantic trampoline.

This is a horrible pictures, but we could have easily spent all day there if it hadn't been so cold.

Maia kept saying she wanted to bounce on the rainbow.

We went at 9:30 am and it was cold.

Like really really cold.

I think when we got in the car to go home, it was 45 degrees.

 Hooray for fall and pumpkin patches!

How Wichita Does a Pumpkin Patch

We headed to a pumpkin patch on Sunday with high hopes.

It was the first year for this particular pumpkin patch.

Look, it wasn't anything to write home about (or really blog about). 

It didn't feel particularly pumpkin patchy, but that was probably due to the fact that it's still in the upper 80s here.

And it's hard not to compare to the Red Barn shindig in WA.

But, there was a hay maze. (Rumor has it that it's the biggest one in Kansas.)

And we did get some cute pumpkins for the girlies.

Red Barn Pumpkin Patch 2010

Here are some pictures from our trip to the Red Barn Pumpkin Patch. My friend Chelsea said that this is our first "repeat" activity with our oldest children. We have a second annual event people! Halloween is next..

Chelsea and me with our new babies, Sage and Ruby

Sage

Owen

It was a fun afternoon!

Pumpkin Patch and First Haircut!

Last weekend, while Aleks was out of town, my friend Chelsea, her son Owen, Maia, and I went to the local pumpkin patch! We had so much fun! Maia loved being out in the crisp autumn weather.

The sign says "Mini pumpkins: 2 for $1"

Also, Maia got her first haircut last week! Maia was a trooper and didn't even know what was going on. Her haircut has really made her seem more grown up now, it's kind of amazing.

(After)

(Before)

We're all doing really well. Maia continues to entertain and keep us super busy. She's learned to shake her head back and forth, I think she might be dancing. She shakes her head and bobs up and down when she hears music or when she gets really excited. Still no teeth or crawling, but it's so easy having her stay where I set her down, that I don't know if I ever want her to crawl!

Next week, Aleks goes to CT to defend his dissertation...