Pumpkin Farm Field Trip

Today, Serafina's preschool class had its pumpkin patch field trip. Every year they go to the pumpkin patch, but the teachers prefer a farm instead of the pumpkin "lots" with bouncy houses. When Full Circle Farm (where we get our weekly veggies) opened, the classes were able to walk there, see the chickens, tour the farm and have a down-home pumpkin picking experience. Last year, Full Circle brought in an outside company to run their pumpkin patch complete with, you guessed it, bouncy houses. This year they decided to take the bus to a new place called Spina Farm. The teacher wanted lots of parent helpers, so I signed up to go but not on the bus. I was planning on driving with my friend Aida so we could chat and also leave if we needed to get back to the school for our older kids.  But when lining up to get on the bus, one of the parents who was assigned to ride the bus wasn't aware this was her role and had her younger child with her.  Big no-no!  So I was asked to take her place and I ended up on the bus for the second field trip in a row.

It gave me the chance to take some pictures on the bus.  Unfortunately, it was freezing on the bus and the ride was longer than any other bus trips since we were going past civilization to actually farmlands where they actually grow pumpkins (and corn).

First activity was an educational talk about pumpkins.

Here is a wheelbarrow full of interesting pumpkins for the talk.

Next was the hay ride.  I don't really like hay (it makes me itch), so I let some other parents go on this one.

Off they go.

Each kid got to pick a little pumpkin.

Playing in the big pumpkin.

Running around the hay maze.

I couldn't get out of the train ride.

Posing with Sophia and Kate.

Class picture in the big chair.

We had some extra time to explore all the pumpkins.

And the tractor.

It was a super fun field trip in a very beautiful setting.  The bus ride home wasn't as cold, but Serafina was tired and cried over not getting a window seat.  I am hoping to skip the next field trip though.

Leo is six!!!

Leo was so excited about his birthday and turning six, he got up at 4:30 this morning and again at 5:30.  His sister got up at the usual time of 7am and I told her she could get Leo too.  They immediately dove into opening a present.  But since it was a school day, we had to get ready and get out the door.  Serafina had dance class and after we headed back to the school to see the birthday boy.

During Leo's conference last week, his teacher said I could bring Serafina any time I want to volunteer and she would be a junior member of the class.  She wasn't kidding.  When we got there today, his class was in the art room and they let her sit right down and do the project.    

Leo was concentrating on his work.  Can you spot his new birthday present?

Hard at work.

They finished their masterpieces and listened to a story read by the art teacher.

We headed back to the class and Serafina joined the other kids on the carpet.  A little girl spiked a fever and I walked her to the nurse's office.  She was so sweet and pathetic and contagious.  I hope I don't get sick.

Leo got his birthday crown.

Then he went up to the front of the room.

Apparently, his birthday was broadcast during the morning announcements over the PA too.

He had shared his special birthday present, a new Darth Vader Lego watch from Daddy, earlier in the morning, but he took the opportunity to show it off again.

Birthday hugs from his teacher.

After school, I brought some cookies (caramel-stuffed pumpkin cookies - as good as they sound) to the park to share with his friends.

There was some singing.

And eating.

I gave him a new scooter.  It's a two wheeler and a little tricker than the old one, but he is getting the hang of it quickly.

Tom came home early and we headed to dinner where the kids got awesomely photo-bombed while they colored their menus.

Daddy and the birthday boy.

My pretty girl.  Her mood today swung between jealously and excitement for Leo.

Birthday chocolate pie with a wait staff serenaded.  Leo was pretty amazed that all those people came over to sing to him.

Yum!

I think he had a pretty good birthday.  There will probably be a bit of let down tomorrow, but that's part of growing up.  I'm still amazed he's already six, but he makes me so proud and happy.  I'm looking forward to this year with my six-year-old boy.

Goodbye five

Tonight was the last time I put my five year old to bed. Tomorrow he will be six and I'm amazed at the wonderful little person he has become. He's so excited to celebrate tomorrow with his class. Serafina and I plan to stop by during part of the school day and in the afternoon, we will go to the park with our friends. Tom will take us out to dinner and hopefully Leo will have a fun birthday and not realize I've totally avoided having a party.

Garage Sale weekend

Saturday was the preschool's fundraising garage sale.  Last year, it was my show, but this year the new VP was running things.  I was a bit of a control freak last year and took on way too much.  I advised that the VP do some delegating and she did a good job of shifting some responsibilities.  For example, I handled all the craigslist sales and online advertising.  It was strange to be so close to the event, yet not be in charge of it.  I tried hard not to micromanage and just offer advice when asked and be supportive.   It all worked just fine since she made almost the same amount of money I did last year.  Pretty impressive.  

Friday was picture day.  A friend of mine gave Serafina a lovely braid before school.  Here she is using my phone's camera as a mirror so she could see it for the first time.  

Needless to say, she was very pleased.  

We picked up Nana on Friday, so she was around while I was dealing with garage sale madness.  It took up most of Friday (past 9pm) and then started again at 6am on Saturday.  

Here are some volunteers laying out the merchandise.  She got to use the school's parking lot this year which was great.  She didn't have overnight storage though, so I suggested she get a Uhaul which you can see in the background.  It ended up working out well and at a pretty low cost.  

My friends came to visit me at the sale, just like last year.  Katie picked out this hat for little Max.  Look familiar?  Yep, it was Leo's and part of my donation to the sale.  

 The sale (and the nap I needed afterward) took up most of Saturday, but Tom and I still had a chance to go out to dinner.  There was also plenty of time to hang with Nana.  There was some exploration of our Halloween box that I had pulled out of storage.
Vampire teeth with Darth Vader costume.  

 After taking Nana to the airport, there was a fashion show.  Here's Leo modeling his monster truck robot helmet and Darth Vader's belt.  I'm not sure what Serafina is doing laying on the floor.

 Serafina's turn to model her very messy hair.

Trader Joe's shopping

I've heard of stores providing kids with their own shopping carts, and today our local Trader Joe's had some out front.  Serafina was excited.

It was seriously the most thrilling grocery shopping experience ever.  She said she wants to go back and do more shopping with the little cart.  Of course, every time I go to the store, I forget something I need, so she'll get her wish soon.