Pumpkin Patch 2012

On Sunday afternoon, we decided to go back to the Pumpkin Patch. I had not gotten any pictures of the kids and the pumpkins and there were still so much to do that we felt that we wanted to give the kids another afternoon of fun before they close the Pumpkin Patch for this season. Mormor, who still suffered from her cold and didn't feel too good, decided to stay at home this time. We had a great early dinner, and left a little bit earlier this time.

As we were a little bit earlier this time, I wanted to get some nice pictures of the kids before it got to late and the sun would go down. They had lots of nice areas with lot of photo props perfect for the pictures of the kids. It would have been great pictures, if only the kids would have decided to sit still and smile into the camera!! Haha, still, who could possible resist a big treasure chest right?

Pumpkin Patch Family Picture 2012

When we got to the hay balls and pumpkins the sun was already very low and about to set, so the pictures have a special glow to them that is not "photo-shopped" by any means. That's just the sunset!

Mom & Kids and Dad & Kids

My sweetie

One last picture before the sun is down..

Ben checking out the straw pirate

Hay maze!

Peek - a - Booooooo Mommy!! 

Ben kept us safe in the maze!!

My cute little pumpkins!

Hay ride!

Stations with lots of fun.

Dried beans instead of sand in the box!

Cassie found a couple of friends from school that she went around with to the stations and for the fun at the maze. I had told her that she should check in with us once in a while and incase we would loose eachother, our meeting spot would be at the jail. And, that's were I found her before we went home. This time we didn't stay for the Pirate Show, as it would be the same as the night before, and it was getting late and the next morning would be school. We had some very tired but happy kids with us home and Cassie told them great stories in the back of the car to keep them from falling asleep. The main characters in the story? Isabella the mermaid that had to be rescued from the alligator from Ben the pirate! Have I told you before that she is the greatest big sister ever??!!

Pirates & Pumpkins

 

Saturday afternoon, we all then finally went to the Pumpkin Patch. It was a lot bigger than I had expected, and there was lots to do for the kids. There were lots of different stations with games and if you got stamps on a card from each station, you could pick up a treasure from the treasure box in the end. They also had a little mini petting zoo, with some sheep, a donkey and a giant tortoise. But the most interesting one was the "baby knock knocks" that they had. For you who don't know our kids, since they were babies, they have always called the turtles "knock knock's".

We came around 6pm, as it wasn't open until 5-9pm during the day. It didn't take long until the sun started to go down, and it got a little chilly. Luckily, I had packed long sleeved shirts for the kids to put on, and it was very much needed. Even if it got dark, there were lots of lights around the area, so you could still enjoy everything there was until they closed.

The cutest pirates in town!

The favorite part of the Patch was that they had pony rides. The little ones had never been on "big horses" and only on small ponies, so I wasn't even sure if they really would want to get on once we were up in line. And there was a long line. It took forever, but luckily, they were so excited about the horses, that it was worth it.

 My little horse girls waiting for their turn..

After two turns around the area, 

you could take the helmet off and take a picture with a cowboy hat on instead.

I hardly had my hat on when Chris got these pictures 

and Isabella was ready to get off so they are a bit rushed, but I think she looks cute anyway!

 Ben is ready to go!

Unfortunately no cowboy hat pictures of Ben on the horse, as I took these pictures just before they took off and then I had to get on the horse myself with Isabella, and they were already off the horse when we came back. But still, Ben looks so handsome on a horse, and he enjoyed himself and held on tight to the reins. I was so happy to see how much they enjoyed it, especially as the horses were big and they could easily have gotten scared, but no, they were all laughter and smiles.

After the ride, it was time to rush to the Pirate Show that they had. It was a great production, and they told the story about "Captain Jack Sparrow and the golden pumpkin". It was great actors, great sound and lots of great costumes and the big ship was very nice. Much better than I had expected! At times, almost a little bit too scary for the little ones, but I kept telling them look how silly he looks etc, to take the "scariness" away from the attacking monsters and fighting pirates. I had Isabella jumping up and down in my lap so I had no chance to focus with the camera, so there is no quality of the pictures but still, it was a really good show!

What was really good, was that they made a dance party afterwards with music and all the people from the show were dancing and taking pictures with the kids. Nice, and then they could see that they weren't so scary after all. Isabella was drawn to the princess in pink (of course) but when we finally got to meet her, she became all shy. Ben was more interested in the pirates, even if he enjoyed watching them from the arms of daddy.

Cassie got to meet Jack Sparrow himself and almost got captured from another pirate.

After the show, we were happy to get home, even if the kids really wanted to stay. The kids were tired and Ben who hadn't slept at all, was more than tired. Mormor didn't feel too good from her cold and probably still a little bit jet lagged, so she went to bed early, and when the kids finally slept, I did the same. I didn't feel too good myself, and as I had forgotten to bring a long sleeved jacket for myself, I got cold watching the show, and that only triggered my cold and cough even more so I had a pretty sleepless night from coughing.

Saturday Breakfast

Saturday morning, we started off with a big breakfast with pancakes, eggs and bacon. As we had plans for the later afternoon, it was important that the kids had their nap and as always when they "have to", at least one of them won't sleep. This time it was Benjamin that decided not to have a nap at all. Both of the kids have come down with a cold as mormor and myself. So far Chris and Cassandra hasn't gotten any symptoms. But because they have slept a little less during the nights it would have been good for good moods if they both would have slept good at naptime.

Anyway, after a quick early pizza dinner, we all went to out big adventure for the kids later in the afternoon, but more about that later.

Friday With Mormor

After dinner yesterday, while I was cleaning up the kitchen and getting the little ones into the bathtub, Cassie and Mormor had some quality time and played a game. They seemed to have lots of fun, as I heard lots of laughter coming from their corner of the dining room.

Earlier, when Cassie came home from school, the kids got some presents. New books, that was very much appreciated. New coloring books too, and candy (mostly) for me. My mom also had some nice table runners for me which will look great on our dining table for Christmas!

Finally home from school and later lots of presents!

I also took my mom with me to the grocery store in the afternoon. Needed to pick up a few thing and it was nice to be able to go shopping in peace, and not having the drama of the kids all the time! Had a look at the pumpkins too, but I'm still holding off buying until just before we can carve them. It's still very warm here! I also found something at the vegetables that even I thought was quite exotic!  Cactus leaves. Never used it, but apparently it's good for stir fry!

Pumpkins and Cactus leaves - nothing that you typically find at the Swedish store..

The Love Between A Mother & Daughter Is Forever

 

A little over a week ago, I entered a giveaway on one of these necklaces above, on a Facebook page of a company that I've looked into buying a necklace from. I only had to share and to write that I'd done so, and then of course wait..

I'm normally a person that never really wins anything, so I didn't have any at all expectations to do so. But it didn't cost anything to try right?! Just two days later, a winner was drawn - ME!!

J.C. Jewelry Design - Handmade Jewelry and Accessories

October 22

Congratulations, Elisabeth Walti! You are the lucky winner of our 'mother and daughter' necklace giveaway! Please contact us at info@jcjewelrydesign.com with your mailing address, chain style and length. Thank you all for participating!

Out of I believe 114 people that had entered, I won!! I was really happy and really surprised! They gave me an option on what chain style and what length that I wanted, and after I replied with my address with my information, it only took about two days for my package to arrive! Very nice and very speedy delivery!

They have a lot of nice things - have a look at their web page :http://www.jcjewelrydesign.com/ or join them on Facebook, maybe you have luck, they have giveaways all the time!

Packed in a little gift bag inside the box was my very special necklace!!

Mormor Is Here!

Last night, arriving over 20 hours after the beginning of her trip, my mom was finally here. She had a long layover in L.A which made the trip even longer. Before starting with dinner, the kids and I got out the box from the garage with all the fall decorations, the kids loved the pumpkins and keep saying Halloweeeeeeen. They have no idea what is to come next week..

Luckily Chris was able to pick her up from the airport, he had called me just when I put the dinner in oven, that he might not be able to, due to a late call that his guys had to respond to, and he would have to be there to check over the reports etc. I just turned off the oven and started to put the shoes on the kids, when he called back to tell me that things had changed and he actually could go.

So just before 7pm, they were here. My mom was happy to be here, as were we, but understandably very tired after the long trip. She had not been able to sleep anything, and also felt a little bit under the weather after the dinner on board. But, she did eat a little bit and then the kids were all over her! It took a little while before Isabella warmed up, which is funny as it's normally Ben who is the most shy around new people. He played with her and showed off his toys, while Isabella kept close to me for a while. But, soon enough, they both were jumping around in her bed and bringing her books to read for them. After a few stories from mormor, it was time for the kids to go to bed, and mormor followed not long after. Luckily, Isabella and Benjamin didn't take too long to put to bed, and as I was very tired myself, I was happy to crawl into bed around 11pm already!

Benjamin was up a few times, but as I had put his bed into our bedroom, he was soon settled and I only had to go to Isabella twice and luckily she fell back to sleep without too much resistance, not at all like the night before. Lucky for me, as I was more than tired after the sleepless night before.

Cassie took the picture at dinner

Story time with mormor!!

After a while, Ben thought that he'll read mormor a story too!

Today, after taking it easy with breakfast and getting ready, we went for a walk around the neighborhood. To be able to catch some fresh air, as the temperatures weren't that bad around 10am. But after walking for a while, it was soon warmer than we thought. Enjoyable for my mom to get some summer temperatures, even more so after hearing that the first snow fell today in Sweden, even on the south east coast! I'm not jealous of the snow, rain and cold, that's for sure!

Right now, the kids are still napping and mormor went for a nap herself, she has a lot to catch on to, and her one hip/leg is hurting where she has a deep inflammation. I hope that she will feel better after a little rest! The afternoon will be spent at home, when Cassie comes home it's time for more homework, and stress to get the project poster about Lewis and Clark done until tomorrow, but atleast today, I'll have help to keep the little ones occupied when I'm busy helping Cassie!!