Happy Thanksgiving 2014

We traveled to Mt. Vernon for Thanksgiving and spent the night at Mom and Wayne's home.  It was a wonderful meal at a lovely table with great people.  

We brought the pack -n- play and Blossom was able to take a nap and sleep pretty well during the night.  Because we all know, rested babies are happy babies.

Organizing Help . . .

 Here's my little cupboard organizing helper.

 She doesn't yet crawl over to the cupboard and open it by herself but she loves it when I sit her there.

 She has a scoot that moves her around and she's happy with that.

 For the moment, at 11 months old, this is one of Blossom's favorite activities. 

And I'm happy with that.

Cubs - Out and About...

This fun Cub Scout field trip to the Ferndale Police Station marks the last police station field trip I will organize for Cub Scouts.

Woodland Park Zoo...

The last Wednesday in October was such a fun day.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the kids and I spent 6 hours at the Woodland Park Zoo with my good friend Anna and her kids.  Anna and I get to see each other about once a year but the kids sometimes go 2 years between visits.  That's a really long time especially when kids grow and change so fast. 

 There were 11 kids between us.  I did my best bringing 4 of them. 

 In years past we would coordinate a main color theme for our group.   I think we're past that stage now, especially with teens in the group.

The Penguins at this zoo are so cool!

D was so sweet with Blossom.  He told her all about the animals we were seeing.  So cute!

Blossom enjoyed the day.  The meerkats were funny to her.  They ran back and forth behind the glass.

The day was perfect.  Great weather and no crowds.  It was the last of their 3 homeschools days they hold each fall.

The leaves on the little hill were a perfect back drop for taking pictures. 

 The wolves and bears were my favorites.  They were each fed 5 minutes after we arrived at their habitats.  It made for a very exciting exhibit.  It's no fun seeing the animals sleep all the time.

 The kids would probably say their favorite part was trading Pokemon cards. 

 Up to the very last minute in the parking lot, before we left, trades were still taking place.   

My kids said it was the best day and want to know when they can see the Downen's again.

Bellewood Pumpkin Patch...

Carving pumpkins this year had me in a squeeze play.  I wanted to get to Cramer's Western Town but getting there Friday, Saturday or Sunday was impossible with our schedules.  Plus, the weather wasn't cooperating.  Two days before I absolutely had to have pumpkins carved I decided we would go to Stoney Ridge Farm because it was open on Thursday and I could do a Thursday outing.  That Thursday it proceeded to pour buckets but I was determined.  I switched my plans to Bellewood Acres.  I figured it was closer, no entry fee, less walking around, and a nice indoor eatery.

The boys and I sloshed out into the field to pick pumpkins while Grandma Patty stayed warm and dry indoors with Blossom.
There were plenty of pumpkins to choose from and the boys had theirs picked out in no time.  They quickly did the small corn maze and then headed inside to have hot cocoa and snacks.

Despite the rain it was a nice trip.  The pumpkins were priced a little high so I had to forgo the purchase of the largest pumpkin.  It just doesn't work any more to tell the boys, "If you can carry it, you can have it."

Trying to Hibernate...

I want to hibernate.  Cold weather, leaves falling, darkness.  It's time to sleep. ZZZZZzzzzzzzz

But all the little eyes say no extra sleep for you.