Pumpkin Patch

A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that my parents were on a road trip that would bring them to our parts for a couple of days.  After visiting Grandma Lou in Tennessee, they arrived here on Thursday afternoon.  We were thrilled to have beautiful weather.  On Saturday, we headed to a local pumpkin patch to take part in the fall festivities.

Sara fed the goats, patted their heads, and asked them their names.

 This was the part of the day when Sara pouted because she had to sit still for approximately one minute. 

 Waiting to get on the hay ride with Grandpa ...

 ... and with Grandma.

 Sara didn't understand the purpose of sticking her head through these holes, but I managed to get a good shot.  Sara went non-stop during our visit, and had her head on my shoulder by the time we walked back to the car.

 This maze was a huge hit.  I liked that the walls were low, so even if the kids got turned around, they could see their adults pointing them in the right direction.  Sara would run through, get to the end, and turn around and do it again.  I think we finally lured her away with more goat feed.

 Sara was pleased with her pumpkin selection.  It spent last night in the house, but this morning we were able to convince her to let it get some fresh air outside.

After looking at all of the animals, riding the train, and checking out a variety of pumpkins, we headed to Matt's for some much needed nourishment.  We missed most of the college football yesterday (I use the term "missed" loosely, because based on the score updates for our #1 team, we really didn't miss much at all), but after a nice evening power-walk, we made it to the couch in time to watch the Rangers win the ALCS! 

Thanks, G & G, for driving out of your way to see us.  Loved sharing more special memories with you! 

We're with the band.

Blackberry Smoke @ Hank's - 10/13/2011

 

 

 

 

Only a Man

I love my husband; I do.  And our myriad Type-A characteristics usually tend to jive quite nicely. 

 But, seriously???...

There are some things only he can do.

Without a Trace

And just like that, another week has come and gone.  I know it's been busy, but I can't really pinpoint where the time suck is, you know what I mean?  I think the increasingly shorter days are partially to blame, but life just seems to be a general whirlwind right now.

Last Friday evening we were at the doctor with Sara, who was, sure enough, diagnosed with a bladder infection.  Her teachers had suspected it earlier that afternoon when she said it hurt to potty.  She started feeling better pretty quickly once she started the antibiotics and cranberry juice, but then began having to deal with major blow-outs multiple times per hour.  While I know that diarrhea is a natural side effect of some medicines, her case seemed to be a little out of control.  We were able to switch antibiotics, and now everyone is much happier, as you can imagine.  (I have to give Sara major props, though, because even with an aching bladder and a bad case of the runs, she managed every time to get to the toilet in time.  What a trooper).

I promise the rest of this post will not have anything to do with bodily functions.

Steve took the plunge this week and signed up for his first half marathon, which will take place the first weekend in November.  I'm really proud of him, but it seems that the further he runs, the more I feel like a lump.  I'm stuck in the vicious no-time-excuse cycle.

My parents left MN this morning to head out on a road trip.  They are headed first to Chattanooga, TN to see Grandma Lou.  After a few days there, they are going to head west and end up at our house next Thursday afternoon!  We have tickets Thursday night to see Blackberry Smoke at Hank's, and then I'm taking a personal day on Friday.  It sounds like they'll start the drive back up I-35 on Sunday morning, so we'll have a couple days anyway to hang out together.  We plan to visit the pumpkin patch and, as usual, we'll likely need to eat at Gloria's or Matt's.

Sara's school is decked out for Halloween; it's awesome!  Among every other type of decoration you could imagine (inflatables, flying witches, lights, you name it), they have a giant pumpkin that counts down the days, hours, and minutes to the big day.  Every time we walk into school, Sara says, "Wow, it's Halloween Day!"  She's equally as excited about the Halloween section at Target and the decorations we have around here.  I know Steve will feel like he's done a big part of his job as a parent if Sara loves Halloween the way he does.  It's looking like his efforts in this category could very well pay off.

I haven't had a pumpkin spice latte yet from Starbuck's, but I know that one will be calling my name in the very near future.  I'm currently enjoying my fall TV shows, a good book, play-off baseball, and of course, college football.  Even though the season is basically over for my beloved Cyclones, it's still fun to watch them try.  Trying counts, right?  Right??

Fall Line-Up Part Deux

Now that a we have a couple weeks of the new television season under our belts, I thought I should write a follow-up post to Fall Line-Up.  Here's where I'm at regarding the shows I said I planned to watch ...

Desperate Housewives (ABC - Sundays @ 8:00)

So far, the drama has been top notch.  I'm anxious to see how the writers wrap up the show for good, and I have every intention of planting myself in front of the television every Sunday evening between now and May to tune in (except for rerun weeks).

***

 Pan Am (ABC - Sundays @ 9:00)

I'm not sold yet, but I'm definitely intrigued.  There actually appears to be a deeper storyline than I originally anticipated, beyond the surface level sex, drama, and glamour.  I'm going to give this show at least a couple more weeks before I make a decision about it. 

*** 

Parenthood (NBC - Tuesdays @ 9)

Putting this show back on my list after taking a season off has turned out to be an excellent decision.  I was able to catch up quickly thanks to the montage featured on the Emmy Awards and a little recap reading on abc.com.  Tuesdays at 9:00 are proving to be not such a good TV watching time for me, but I've been recording it and watching later in the week.  I'm already wrapped up in the storyline, and certainly plan to keep watching.

***

 The Office (NBC - Thursdays @ 8:00)

Well, we didn't laugh nearly as much as we were hoping to during the first two episodes this season.  The reality is that the show just isn't the same without Michael Scott (funny guy Steve Carell), which we anticipated.  However, I think there are plenty of redeeming qualities in the other cast members, so the plan for now is to keep watching.  I just don't want to see it be one of those shows that tries to go on without the star and then flops.  Time will tell.

The overall verdict: I'm right where I thought I would be, with four television commitments through May.  A little escape is never a bad thing.

Morning Fix

We need a morning fix ... or, better stated perhaps, a way to fix our mornings.  See, way back when, the mornings were drawn-out because Sara required a thirty-minute bottle feeding prior to arriving at daycare.  After a while, she stopped taking bottles, but we still fed her in the mornings at home.  I remember feeling like time was totally on my side when we started attending an eat-breakfast-at-school facility.  Our mornings just started moving more quickly, and were generally nicer&smoother.

Well, Sara still eats breakfast at school (at the same table every single day next to Audrey and nobody else better sit in her spot, thankyouverymuch), but the nice&smooth part of our mornings has come to a screeching halt.  Now there are tears in our home every single morning for one reason or another (or for multiple reasons).

Sara may wake up in a good mood, but she's a ticking time bomb ... and there's no telling what the trigger might be.  Maybe she wants to wear the clothes she picked out the night before (or maybe she doesn't).  Maybe she wants you to pick out her socks (or maybe she doesn't).  Maybe she wants to turn off the light (or maybe she doesn't).  Maybe she likes the selected cereal that's waiting in a baggie to be taken to school (or maybe she doesn't).  Maybe she wants something to drink (or maybe she doesn't).  Maybe she wants to pick her shoes out of the basket (or maybe she doesn't).  You get the picture.  The point is, if something happens that is out of sync with what she wants (which means we haven't read her mind), Sara bursts immediately into tears.  There's nothing rational about it ... just an instantaneous tantrum.

Of course, frustration ensues.  While Steve's instinct is to discipline, mine is to appease because we're already in a time crunch in the mornings, and I'm sure not ever in a mood to listen to her scream the whole way to school.  I know that's not the answer, but it's easier than arguing and there's just nothing worse than a bad start to the day.  Plus, I don't have the answer (clearly).

I know that hitting up the liquor isn't really a viable option first thing in the morning (not that I'd ever consider it ...), but I sure would like a suggestion to help ease the pain.  I need a morning fix.  Quick.

Planking & Other Things

While enjoying some Saturday morning cartoons, Sara worked on mastering the art of planking. I know you're impressed.

It's been a good weekend around here.  The 3-0 Cyclones had a bye, and the Cowboys don't play until tomorrow night, so stress has been at nearly an all-time low (relative to the past three weekends, anyway).  Yesterday morning Sara and I went to play at Audrey's new house.  The girls had a great time, as always, and Sara was not happy when it was time to leave.  I was able to lure her back from tears when I told her we were going to go to the car place to get an oil change.  Sara thinks the Kwik Lube waiting area is one of the best places around.  You can imagine how thrilled I was when the technician popped in to tell me that my 101,000+ mile 2004 Trailblazer is in "perfect condition" (his words, seriously).  He then proceeded to punch my customer card twice, which means my next oil change is free because I already had six previous punches!

If we are FB friends, you may have read that I had a very successful trip to Once Upon a Child yesterday afternoon.  I hadn't been in a while, but Audrey's mom and I were talking about it yesterday morning, so I decided to head over to see what sort of winter clothing selection was available.  Selection galore, it was.  In Sara's section, someone must have just sold many items from twin girls as there were tons of duplicates of really cute, name-brand items.  I bought Sara a pair of Levi jeans, a warm coat, three long-sleeved shirts, three winter dresses, and tights for $37.  I went while Sara napped, which was risky because she's gotten very picky about her clothes, but she gave each item I purchased a thumbs-up ... HUGE success overall, I'd say!

Last night we went over to Murphy Maize Days.  There were a number of arts and craft vendors, food vendors, music on a stage in the center, and a huge kids' area where everything was FREE.  Sara enjoyed a pony ride, got a balloon, and inahled a cone of blue cotton candy before we found a spot on the grass to enjoy Eleven Hundred Springs.  We all loved the early sunset, the cooler weather, and the music.  I don't say this often enough these days (unfortunately), but Sara's behavior was nearly impeccable.  She was happy and carefree and just loved dancing barefoot in the grass.  If there was any part of her behavior that wasn't quite perfect, it was the fact that she felt the need to use a porta-potty three times.  She hasn't quite adopted the "wait as long as you can" philosophy when the only option is a blue plastic Biff, but I really can't complain because it sure beats the alternative (which would have been me trying to change a diaper in, um, the same place, no thank you).

As we speak, the laundry is almost done, our stock-the-pantry family trip to The Evil Empire Wal-Mart is behind us, and very best of all ... the final season of "Desperate Housewives" begins tonight.  Bring on the D-R-A-M-A, drama drama drama!