my festive.

When I was little, holidays were special. They were anticipated with fantastic decorations, surprises, parties and great food. I remember holidays being magical at my house. I realize now that that magic didn't just appear. My mother had a knack for magic. and work. It's not easy to pull off that kind of anticipation. It takes planning and effort and creativity, all of which my mother did superbly well.

While thoughts of visiting a pumpkin patch with my children crossed my mind, they left just as quickly knowing that the distance to a good one combined with the expense was not worth my effort right now. Until Jackie told me about the one at the botanical gardens. And then she gave me a deadline, because it's only open this weekend. Shoot, if I'm gonna pull this off, it's gotta be now! So as I talked logistics out loud to Denten last night, he kind of pretended to listen and then said, "if you don't want to go, then don't go." but I do want to go! I think it sounds fun! "then, go!" ok, we will. and we did.

The Fall Festival had hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a great hay maze, john deere tractors, a petting zoo, carnival games, craft projects, two balloon ladies and treats. It was super!





hello goat. my cousin has a thing for your kind. I'm trying to figure out what the big deal is.



I'll get you, goat!



mom, I caught one! super! now let's go wash your hands! ick.





hay maze strategy planning session. we had to split up, go opposite directions and try to find each other in the middle. it worked brilliantly.





check me out, uncle ben!



go that way!





We arrived home with our pumpkins to carve, balloon butterfly wings, more treats than necessary and a gosh darn good attempt to enjoy this season. Because 85 degrees or not, it's autumn and we better well enjoy it!