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Based on our last pumpkin experience (see earlier post this week), I was determined to get Andrew (and me!) a happy pumpkin experience for 2016. This morning Andrew, along with his best buddies Austin and Abby, went to Alstede Farms in Chester, NJ. I am happy to report that everyone had a great time! Some highlights:

Playing hooky from school with his best buds 

Feeding the donkeys

Picking pumpkins (until he realized he could ride a wagon instead)

Tractors

And his favorite- running through the corn stalk tunnel!

Everyone was happy! ?

Last Saturday I planned what I had hoped would be a memorable and fun family outing to pick pumpkins. Andrew’s best buddy Austin and his parents were going, the sunny was shining, it was almost 70 degrees and Andrew seems to love farm animals, tractors and all opportunities to run around. He even took a 3+ hour nap before we went! I had all the ingredients for a ‘Pinterest-Perfect’ afternoon.

But boy was I wrong. From the moment we arrived at the farm Andrew expressed zero- perhaps even less than zero- interest in being there. He refused to stand and insisted to be held the whole time- which is increasingly hard to do when he weighs 30+ lbs and your 5.5 months pregnant. He wanted no parts of the animals and couldn’t be less excited by the pumpkin patch if he tried. Major strike out.

This about captures the experience:The only time he wasn’t crying was the tractor ride. He wasn’t happy but at least there weren’t tears.As we drove home- in silence because we were all so exhausted- I realized that my son actually gave me exactly what I was hoping for. Last Saturday was certainly memorable. I suppose I just need to be more specific about my expectations moving forward…..

Yes, I know. I’ve been super negligent posting photos and sharing stories. But we’ve been super busy soaking in the last few days of summer and welcoming in autumn. Plus I spent 20 days on the road in the last month alone, so I’ve been a little preoccupied. But here are a few highlights I’ve been meaning to share:

Cooking! We bought an early 2nd birthday present for Andrew. It’s call a ‘learning tower’ but essentially it’s a glorified stool with side rails. However, it’s given the little guy new freedom to crawl and get involved in what’s happening on the kitchen counters. We’ve started cooking together in the evenings. I love that it’s a great excuse to talk to him about food and teaching him about how to stir, measure, etc. Right now his favorite thing to make- besides a mess- is pudding! But if I’m being honest, my intentions are a bit selfish. While my husband is many amazing things, a chef is not one of them. So I’m teaching Andrew to cook so that one day he’ll make me dinner. It’s about time someone in this house helps me out with mealtime!

Happy 60th Grandma! We traveled to Deep Creek Lake, MD for a surprise 60th birthday weekend for Diane. While she knew that we had rented a house for Labor Day weekend, she had no idea almost 50 of her friends and relatives would be joining us for a party of Saturday! After lots of scheming, we pulled it off without a hitch! I count her tears of joy as my true measure of success. Only a few pics (mostly of hiking to share) for now.

Swimming. We started Andrew in Saturday morning swim lessons at the local Y. We’re still getting the hang of it and so far it’s going ok. Andrew only half pays attention and is mostly focused on the free time and water slide portions of the class. But it’s a work in progress. I’m sure it took Michael Phelps a few classes to get his groove. 🙂

City! We spent one Saturday afternoon/evening and met up with friends in NYC. Daddy needed new suits and mommy wanted cookies from her favorite bakery. And Andrew got to come along for the ride. He was totally blown away by all of the sights and sounds of New York. New word of the day: tunnel! Here he is enjoying cookies in Central Park. Mommy is shoving her face behind the camera. But they weren’t for me- they were for the baby. 😉