Jack-O-Latern the Verb

Sitting Among the Gourds

Hello again faithful readers.  When last I posted Edmund was just about to begin preschool after the summer hiatus.  His entrance back into the world of formal education went very well.  Edmund also began soccer.  I've resisted mentioning soccer, because to be totally honest, it has not been at all sunshine and rainbows.  However, today Edmund made it through soccer pictures and the entire game without tears or complaints.  Hallelujah!!!  Those 3 exclamation points are an understatement.  He happily cheered on his teammates when he didn't have the ball and even made a few goals for the other team.  We're making progress.

How is Miss Evie you may ask?  She is doing splendidly.  I have quite a bit of "mommy guilt" over the lack of time I have to focus exclusively on her.  I suspect this is par for the course with subsequent children and may explain why many people say going from 1 child to 2 is more difficult than 2 to 3 and so on.  I remember saving tickets and recording every first adventure Edmund had.  Evie has done a lot of the same things and sooner, but I simply don't have time to stop and record each event.  Yesterday we went to Ganyard Hill Farm, the pumpkin patch we visit annually.  I knew I hadn't posted anything recently and wanted something fresh and exciting to post about.  I don't want to bore anyone with repeat posts, but when I got to thinking about it, the pumpkin patch is still a new experience for Evie and this blog is really for the kids.  So without further ado I give you the Pattishalls 2012 trip to the pumpkin patch.

We picked the perfect autumn afternoon to spend on the farm.  The temperature was in the mid-70s and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  Edmund has a superb memory and remembered all the farm has to offer.  Before we arrived he laid out our game plan, so as soon as we entered the farm it was off to the tube slide.  Edmund climbed the large bales of hay to the top and waited patiently in line for his turn to slide.  He decided a trip through the bumpy tunnel was not complete without sound effects.  We knew Edmund was coming when we heard the shaky "ah ah ah" emanating from the chute.

Next Edmund led us to the corn crib.  Edmund loved jumping and sliding into the massive bin of dried corn.  Evie loved watching her big brother being so goofy and laughed at his antics when she wasn't busy chewing on her baby carrier.  This was by far Edmund's favorite spot, so we hung out here for awhile enjoying the Disney music playing around us.  Edmund was convinced it was Halloween music, so we just let him believe that.

After bouncing about in the kernels it was time for the requisite hay ride.  Evie was wide eyed as the tractor pulled us around the farm perimeter.  She definitely wasn't sure about the jarring ride, but if Edmund could handle all the bumpiness it must be ok.  When we were about halfway through the ride Edmund cried out, "Where's the maze? I need to do the corn maze."  The previous year the tractor dropped us off in a corn maze toward the back of the farm.  This year it was in a different location, and Edmund feared he wouldn't get to do one of his favorite pumpkin patch activities.  We assured him there was indeed a maze and we would do it as soon as the ride stopped.

Immediately upon our exit we headed for the tall corn.  We let Edmund take charge as we maneuvered the twists and turns.  OK there really were only two paths, but to Edmund it was a labyrinth.  In the past there hasn't been much corn to find, but this year we were finding it all over the place.  Evie really got into this and reached out to grab the stalks in an attempt to lead us to the biggest ears (of corn that is).  After collecting more corn than I could hold, because somehow I became the sole corn carrier, we decided to exit the maze.  At this point Steven decided to take the lead because if Edmund remained at the helm we probably would have continued in circles for hours.

We then fed our corn to the goats, made a few pictures, and picked out our pumpkins.  This year we decided to get one of the pre-picked pumpkins  to ensure we have a good carving pumpkin.  We decided the last 2 pumpkins should come straight from the vine.  I found a good one and then encouraged Edmund to find one of his own.  Despite showing Edmund a multitude of perfect, ripe pumpkins on the vine he set his heart on one someone had already plucked and left sitting next to the vines.  After encouraging him to find another pumpkin I caved and let him take his "very best" pumpkin with us.  Edmund was so excited about his pumpkin he asked "when can we jack-o-lantern my pumpkin."  And with that it was time to leave, but I assure you dear reader,as I did Edmund, that it won't be along until we are able to jack-o-lantern those pumpkins.

Even though we could have just gone through the motions of our tradition, I made it a point to really make this a "special first" for Evie.  As part of our family she will be thrust into our rituals, but I'm going to try my hardest to make sure she is able to truly enjoy the experiences as they come to life for her for the first time.  Fortunately for her, she has a big brother who seems intent on making sure his little sister doesn't miss out on anything, even if it means squeezing the daylights out of her!