Stupid pumpkin patch

In case you were wondering, that's "stupid" as in, lame, not dumb, although technically I would say it was both.  I'll admit the kindergartners totally had fun, but I guess the weird weather has caused some massive confusion with the flies at the Pumpkin Patch and it was really gross.  You could sort of just pretend like they weren't there, but they were so thick in some spots, seriously like a blanket was laying on the hay bales.  Mostly, though, I'm annoyed because I have been sick ever since, and at some point, every mom that I knew that went on the field trip had at least a little bit of a head cold, coincidence, I think not.

Anyway, I probably should have blogged this before I had such negative memories, but one thing I can say for any field trip - my kids absolutely love to have me there.  Lauren was so excited that we even got to ride the bus with them (not the original plan).    Of course, the hay ride is always a highlight.  There was a little baby calf that had been born only hours before we came by that was walking around on its little wobbly legs

Speaking of pumpkins, thankfully we actually took care of the carving before Robie took off for China again.  The kids get to draw their own design and then Robie executes.  The older girls even cleaned out their pumpkins (well, until they got kind of tired of that - it's kind of gross after all).

 Lighting the candles is always their favorite part - Fox really dug it - I can almost hear the voice in his head:  "hey guys, there's light in there, it's really bright, must touch it".