12.31.19 - joy statuses

12.29.19 - Kid snippets: big FAT girl

Me: Do you guys want to use your big girl cups [not sippy cups]?
Clara: No, I'm a big girl and Jane's a small girl.
Me: Jane's a medium girl and you're a big girl.
Clara: No. Mommy's a BIG fat girl, and I'm a big girl, and Jane's a small girl.
Me: Great.

12.28.19 - Kid snippets: goo goo ga ga

Jane and Clara are taking turns saying "goo goo ga ga" and "You're not a baby, you're a girl!" to each other and then laughing.

12.25.19 - Kid snippets: Juggling sister

Me: Clara, you're a really good sister, you know that?
Clara: I'm not a *good* sister, I'm a *juggling* sister!

12.25.19 - Highlights of the Missouri Christmas Trip

Sadly as life gets increasingly busy I have less and less time to update my blog and remember all the good memories, but I suppose having too many good memories to track is a good problem to have. In any case I didn't take any notes of this Christmas trip in real time, so I'm now retrospectively (and hopefully quickly) going to mark the best memories.

In contrast with years prior, this time our trip all preceded and ended with Christmas. I really enjoyed that because (1) it gave us more time to enjoy the Christmas season while on vacation in Missouri and (2) it meant the trip ended on a high note, rather than the ho-hum feeling of the week after Christmas and before New Year's.

Also in contrast with previous trips, none of the kids got sick at all during the entire trip. That alone made it much more enjoyable. As a corollary all three of them slept pretty well almost every night, meaning Jack and I also got decent sleep, which of course makes everything better.

As another bonus, the girls are now at an age (especially Clara) where they can really get excited about holidays. This was true for 2019 with the 4th of July (fireworks, popcorn), Halloween (pumpkin patch, Trunk or Treat) and now the Christmas season. Here's a short list of all the Christmas-themed events they got to participate in:

• 12/13 - Arrive in STL, help decorate Mimi's Christmas tree.
• 12/14 - Santa Pancake breakfast at Connection Church (including gluten free pancakes, Charlie Brown's Christmas on the big screen, story time and pictures with Santa, and Christmas karaoke)
• 12/15 - Snowed in at Mimi and Gpa's, got to try on winter gear, explore the snow, ride around in a toboggan in the front yard, watch Jack make a Blues fan snow man, and then come inside for hot chocolate!
• 12/18 - Polar Express! Cookies, cocoa, dancing, silver bells, and all while decked out in Blues pajamas.
• 12/19 - Sledding in the morning in Mimi's backyard. Christmas light shows that night. I didn't get to do this one because I was having sushi dinner with Neil and Everett, however the kids went with Jack, Mimi, and Gpa to see two shows: one at the Church on Mexico and another at a private house all decked out.
• 12/20 - St. Charles Christmas Traditions - collecting the cards of Christmas characters such as Sugar Plum Fairy and Jack Frost, all while enjoying essentially Christmas town, with the jingle bell horse-drawn carriages, carolers along the streets, tons of decor, and at one point watching a violinist play beautiful carolers and giving her a dollar.
• 12/22 - Christmas Cookie Party at Aunt Linda's and Christmas at the Jackson's. Dinner, Christmas story, gifts and stockings, letters to Santa.
• 12/24 - Christmas at Jama's. Homemade gluten free cinnamon roll toast, more gifts, and cousins to play with.

There were many wonderful moments and I wish I could detail them all, but possibly my favorite was during the snow day on Sunday, 12/15. In general I dislike snow, and this snow was falling heavy and meant we weren't going to the much anticipated Christmas Cookie Party at Aunt Linda's, so I was pretty annoyed when I heard about it. I'd also expected to have an hour to two to myself while Jack took the kids to church, and at first he was considering skipping it because of the winter storm warnings. However all worked out. The snow wasn't going to hit until a little later so he took them after all and I still got time for a shower and a nap (the luxuries!) Then Linda let us know she was going to have a Cookie Day Part Deux the next week, so we weren't missing out on that after all. But easily the best part was watching the kids, especially Clara, experience the snow.

Merlene had run out and gotten both girls snow boots, mittens, and hats. Clara was excited to put on her winter wear. Jane wanted to follow Clara's lead, but was also really irritated about all the stuff we kept adding to her outfit, resulting in perhaps the best picture I took all year:

The snow was still falling heavily when they got outside, and I captured some very sweet videos of the quiet interest they had. 

Calvin was sleeping peacefully in the cozy house, and I stayed with him, but Jack got busy building a (Blues fan) snowman and Don and Merlene got busy finding something suitable for a sled. At first Jane tried the makeshift bucket sled and fell face first into the snow pretty quickly. She was so upset, and I thought for sure she'd retreat to the house with me, but to my surprise she chose to stick it out (as long as someone was holding her). So Don carried Jane in one arm and pulled Mimi and Clara in another in the toboggan. I really enjoyed watching their wonder and joy...from the warmth of the house with Piano Guy Christmas music on in the background. Then there was a moment--blissfully captured on video--when Clara looked to me in the window and waved and said "hi Mom!" I don't know how to explain why but that just elated me. It felt like I was watching across time, from years in the future, a treasured memory of my sweet little girl enjoying a new experience. I've said before that sometimes parenting feels like heartbreak but out of happiness instead of sorrow, and this was one of those moments. I felt elated, and that may have best moment of an already pretty great trip. I would not have expected that from snow.

Absent more time to record all the other great moments, here are some favorite pics (of the MANY great pics I got thanks to Henry giving me his Pixel 3, which has a great camera):

At SMF waiting for our plane.

On the way to Santa Pancake breakfast.

Clara spontaneously ran up to hug Santa, and the photographer captured it. <3

Calvin meets Myrna.

Snowfall over a couple hours.

Hiding out behind the Christmas tree.

On our way to the Polar Express.

About to meet Christmas characters in Old Town St. Charles.

Mike treated us to dinner at Bellweather, and it was lovely.

Gpa and Mimi made gluten free tortellini.

12.24.19 - Kid snippets: Good job Mama!

Jane dragged Calvin in his baby rocker across the kitchen to me. She said "Mama right here!"
I knelt down and said to Calvin "Hi l'il Bub!"
Jane pointed to his forehead and said "Kiss!"
Me: "You want me to kiss his forehead?"
Jane: "Yeah!"
I give him a kiss.
Jane: "Good job Mama!"

12.22.19 - Kid snippets: Mom why are you saying shhh?

Tonight Clara wouldn't stop talking during the prayer before (early) Christmas dinner. I shhed her and she said, in a completely normal, non-whispering volume, "Mom, why are you saying 'shhhh'?" After that not only was Clara talking during prayer but her Aunt Katie and I were also giggling.

The kids table is rarely quiet.

12.17.19 - Mine and Jack's top 5 things about 2019

As our Christmas gift to each other, Jack and I went on a leisurely dinner date and told each other our top 5 favorite things about 2019. Hoping to make this a tradition.

Also Jack's voice is shot because Blues games, lol.

12.16.19 - Grandma Snyder's Christmas fruitcake recipe

As written by Mom...

12.12.19 - Kid snippets: seeing Turkey for Christmas

Every night during our countdown to Thanksgiving I'd ask the girls what we're going to eat for our Thanksgiving dinner. Since then we've been counting down until we go to Missouri for Christmas, and every night I ask them who we will see when we get there. Tonight I asked Jane "We're going to see Mimi and Gpa and Jama and who else?" and she replied "Turkey and mash tatoes and con on cob and chips!"

12.10.19 - Kid snippets: Clara pokes me with a knife

I was again wearing my long skirt tonight, so I sat on the living room floor and spread the skirt around me in as close to a circle shape as possible. I told the girls if they stepped on the skirt I would get them, and they giggled gleefully and "hid" around the wall in the hallway, even though I wasn't moving or chasing them at all. Clara would tell Jane to go get me, and Jane would tentatively walk toward me while Clara watched from a safe distance in delight. Slowly this process escalated to them running in a circle around me just at the outskirts of...well, of the skirt. Sometimes Jane would step on the skirt and I'd grab her and tickle her and then release her again. Clara never once made that mistake. Eventually they were both running around me laughing in delight, and I was doing nothing but sitting there watching them, amused. Easiest game ever. At one point Clara tried to jump on my back and "get" me.

Clara: I've got a knife to poke Mom!
Me: What? Are you stabbing me?
Clara: No! I'm just poking you with a knife!

Clara playing in my skirt.

12.9.19 - Kid snippets: twirling together

I was showing the girls videos of professional dancers dancing to Christmas music. They got really excited and asked to wear their Christmas dresses to dance along. I also changed into a flowy red ankle length skirt I have, and we all danced (twirled mostly) in the living room to Christmas music. Clara kept counting to three for us to all twirl at the same time, and each time I would spin Jane she would laugh and laugh. It was pretty awesome.

12.8.19 - Kid snippets: Mama eee pay me?

Jane's "Mama eee pay me?" means "Mama, will you play with me?"

(And "My meee mama" means "Follow meeee, Mama!")

12.6.19 - Kid snippets: Jane's phone convo

Jane borrowed my phone.

Jane: Mama I wah talking.
Me: You want to talk on the phone?
Jane: yeah
Me: okay
*Jane lifts my phone near her face.*
Jane: Hewwo? Hi. I good. Dis is Mama ah dis is Cahbih (Calvin). Cahbih ee happy. A-kay bye.

12.6.19 - Kid snippets: early morning cuddles

This morning both Calvin and Jane woke up pretty early. Jack had already gone into work so I brought the kids into my room to hang out. I sat up with Calvin in my lap and Jane lying next to me, and I read them a truncated version of Polar Express and a highly truncated version of Fair's Fair (a Christmas book from when I was a kid). Then Jane asked me to lay Calvin down on the bed, so I did and she and I lay on either side of him. She just kept giving him kisses on his cheek and head and he just hung out, waving his arms and legs around and cooing at us.

Jane also wanted to use my phone to try to take pictures--something she's been way into lately and is actually getting slightly better at (at least some of her pictures are of people and not just of her forehead or feet. At one point this convo happened:

Jane: Mama I wah talking.
Me: You want to talk on the phone?
Jane: yeah
Me: okay
*Jane lifts my phone near her face.*
Jane: Hewwo? Hi. I good. Dis is Mama ah dis is Cahbih (Calvin). Cahbih ee happy. A-kay bye.

I love how cute Jane looks in her footie single piece pajamas with her curly bedhead. I feel like the era of them as little kids is just flying by and I'm trying to soak in as much of it as possible while I can.

11.30.19 - joy statuses

11.30.19 - Kid snippets: and don't poke Calvin's eye

We put the girls to bed awhile ago but Jane kept fussing so I went in to check on her. She was fine but when I walked in I saw the Christmas lights I've told Clara not to touch mysteriously swinging while Clara sat too innocently on her bed.

Me: Clara, I told you not to touch these. Don't touch them again.
Clara (slightly forlornly): Okay.
Me: Clara, you know what else? ...I love you.
Clara: I love you. AND...don't pick your nose. And don't poke Calvin's eye.
Me: Yes, that's true.

Christmas lights make the nursery so bright.

11.28.19 - Thanksgiving day Kid Snippets

Jane and Clara are pushing/pulling Calvin's rocking chair to bring him into my room, but it gets stuck.
Jane (2.5 years old): Dammit!
Me: Um, no, can you say "darn it"?
Clara: Darn it!
Me: Good job.
Jane: No! DAMMIT!

Calvin was happily cuddling a burp cloth.
Clara: Mom, we gotta get this blanket so he can see us.
Me: No, leave him alone. He's cuddling the blanket. He can still see you.
Clara: Calvin, can you share? [pauses, uses a different voice] "Yes!" [back to her normal voice] Mom, Calvin says he can share!

I made the mashed potatoes and asked Clara if she wanted to try some. She looked at my mashed potato-covered finger uncertainly, took the tiniest of licks, raised both eyebrows and said "Yum!" and then ate the rest eagerly.

Clara liked how her plate separated the food.

11.27.19 - Kid snippets: cheewios for Thanksgiving

Last night Jane listed everything she thinks we're eating on Thanksgiving: "mashed tatoes, con on cob, chips...waisins...cheewios..."

Also last night I asked Clara if I could have a hug. She ran up and gave me a big hug and, even though I hadn't said anything else, she whispered in my ear "I love you too."

11.25.19 - (Early) Thanksgiving in Colorado

The travel day was not bad at all. Calvin slept on the way to SMF and we made it through security no problem. At the gate he hung out with me watching out the window while I messed on my phone. Once we boarded Neil and Emily were already on the flight because they very graciously left Portland early so they could help me with him from SMF to DEN.
Emily slept most of the flight and Neil and I visited and did crosswords together. He helped me a lot by holding various items while I adjusted Calvin. It makes a big difference. Once we landed they helped watch my stroller and things while I changed Calvin and got readjusted. We met up with Everett, then Henry, and all drove back to COS together chatting happily and driving carefully because it was snowy. Calvin slept the whole way. What a good traveler.
It was great to get to Tejon and not be concerned about gluten. Matt made a bunch of pizzas in the brick oven and we enjoyed those with some wine. Miss Kristin took Calvin and we all went to early karaoke (we arrived about 7pm). It was also great to go out and know that I wouldn't have to wake up, move, and try to get back down two toddlers at the end of the night. Getting a little baby to go back to sleep is a bit easier. So I really enjoyed the karaoke night. I just had a few Angry Orchard's and tried a few new karaoke songs (some worked (Ruby Baby) and some didn't (Written in the Sand), but it was good to try), and just generally enjoyed myself.
Afterward, we all traipsed to the Air BnB. Actually we drove because it was pretty cold out, but the place is so close by (half a block) that we probably could've walked just as easily. The Air BnB was adorable - a little cottage with a cozy bedroom downstairs and several more beds in the A-frame attic. We set up the pack and play in the downstairs bedroom and Calvin and I slept there peacefully. And because it was just me, there was plenty of space to bring Calvin in bed through the night and nurse him while half sleeping, which is something I always really enjoyed with Jane and was glad to get a chance to do with Calvin for once. In fact in general it was great to get to spend so much time with Calvin, just the two of us. Now that I'm back at the lab I don't see him as much during normal weeks and it was good to get lots of cuddles in. It doesn't hurt that he's mostly very easy and cheerful and everyone else also enjoys seeing him.
It was great to stay at an Air BnB so close, because I could just walk Calvin and me back and forth whenever I needed to without impacting anyone else's schedule or needing to borrow a vehicle.

[This as far as I was able to write at the time, the rest are just my quick notes.]

--Our Air Bnb is adorable and cozy, with plenty of space for Calvin and me to have our own room. Plus it's less than a block from Dad's house, so we can just walk back and forth.

--Emily took Calvin so I could take a much needed nap. I slept peacefully on Dad's huge bed for probably 1.5-2 hours and the other adults just took care of Calvin, feeding him and keeping him busy. It made a huge difference in the overall day.

--It was the most relaxed Thanksgiving day we've had, probably because there were fewer people, especially children, and because Matt did all the cooking so Dad wasn't stressing about it.

--And so of course the food was especially amazing, including bacon wrapped turkey stuffed with rum-soaked fruit or something.

--Calvin fell asleep right before it was time to eat dinner so I got to eat the whole dinner in peace. In fact I specifically remember sipping lavender wine (weird but delicious) and telling the room in general that I was in such a good freaking mood because I felt well-rested and was about to eat an amazing meal and Calvin was being very easy and I got to hang out with everyone.

--Then I got to sit on the couch and cuddle and play with Calvin while most of the other adults cleaned up the mess of a kitchen.

--Everett took Calvin so I could play the Paper Game, and I got through almost the entire game before needing to tend to him. When it was time to read our cards and I was taking care of Calvin, Rocket was very happy to read my cards for me, which was sweet.

--Henry went ahead of me to the Air Bnb to set up the pack and play, so when we got home I was able to sing to Calvin to calm him enough to nurse him lying down (my favorite, and something I've really enjoyed on this trip) and then put him to bed.

--Then I got a good 2.5 hours sleep before I needed to pump again, which is when I took the chance to write all this out real quick. And of course then go back to sleep.
--We made no plans for Sunday so we were able to lounge and play games and pivot at our leisure.
--I got to play a game of Catan while Emily and Henry kept Calvin busy/happy.
--I laughed a lot at how one-sided the game was and, actually, how good Rocket was and how he kept accidentally trash talking.
--I enjoyed Thanksgiving leftovers all day, especially cheesy potatoes.
--I got to visit with Ellen for awhile. I don't get to talk to her as much anymore because she's so busy with residency so it was good to chat one-on-one while we unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher.
--We rewatched all of Dad's 60th Birthday video and then decided to watch the 50th one as well.
--I got to play two games of Quiplash while Calvin leaned against Emily and happily hung out with everyone. I laughed very, very hard, especially when Everett answered "What should the next Lucky Charms marshmallow be?" with "Hot sog mmmm burger meat so good marshmellow." Seriously. Laughed until I cried.
It was such a fun and relaxing trip.

11.18.19 - Kid snippets: Chawwy Bwown!

Jane is looking at a book with Snoopy on the cover.
Jane: Mama eee S N O O Q Y? What it spells?
Me: Snoopy
Jane: No! Chawwy Bwown!
Me: Okay

11.15.19 - Kid snippets: Calvin coos between eating & Clara just don't do it

After every few sips from his bottle, Calvin will pause to coo a few times, then continue. Jack thinks that, like himself, Calvin does it because he enjoys drinking really cold drinks (his bottles usually come straight from the fridge).

Jack : How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?
Clara: 14 times.
Jack: Okay, well...that's very specific.
Clara: Dad, how many times?
Jack: One time. No, zero times! I shouldn't have to tell you at all.
Clara: ZERO times?! What???
Jack: Yes, the opposite of Nike. Just don't do it!

11.11.19 - Kid snippets: kids helping clean

I was having the girls help clean up the nursery. Jane was in charge of putting the fake food back in its purple drawstring bag. She was doing an excellent job and I kept complimenting her. After a while I sat down with her and put some of the food in the bag myself and she immediately said "Good job Mama!" So encouraging.

Meanwhile instead of wanting to help us clean up the million toys all over the nursery floor, Clara mostly just wanted to dust the bunk bed. Less helpful but I guess her heart's in the right place.

11.8.19 - Kid snippets: treasure pocket

If we try to put clothes or shoes on Jane that she thinks are too small, she'll get a desperate look on her face and say "Not big! NOT BIGGG!"

Today Clara wore camo pants with a side pocket. I asked her if she wanted to take anything in her pocket to school, and we chose one of the clear flat marbles that fill one of my candle holders. She ran to the living room to show Jack, brandishing her entire leg and asking him to ask her "What's in there?" Then she proudly pulled out the marble and said "It's a treasure! It's a treasure pocket!"

11.2.19 - Kid snippets: that hurts me BUDDY

During an ABA therapy game, Clara hid under the covers in my room. The therapist pretended not to know where Clara was and decided to lie on the bed. Clara didn't like that and in a high-pitched but fierce voice said "HEY! That hurts me! That hurts me, BUDDY!"

11.1.19 - Hobby Lobby with the girls

Took the girls with me to look for Halloween/fall decor discounts and they had a wonderful time. They were so excited about all the beautiful crafts and decorations that we ended up walking slowly through the entire store just so they could look. Jane's favorite part was all the fake pumpkins and pumpkin-based decor. Clara's favorite parts were the large artificial Christmas trees and an oversized Rudolph doll.

And while the three of us got out of the house and took our time exploring, Jack got to enjoy some peaceful one-on-one time with Calvin, who basically watched Jack clean and offered emotional support in the form of smiles and coos. And that in turn means *I* got to return to a much cleaner-than-usual apartment.

Oh, plus I bought one new Halloween decoration and a couple things for a Thanksgiving craft I'm making, all for less than $10. So yeah, win for everyone involved. :)

Those red flowers? Hobby Lobby sale.

11.1.19 - Kid snippets: is it Halloween yet?

Last night I was taking down Halloween decorations and putting up Thanksgiving/fall decorations. Clara asked why and I explained that Halloween is over until next year. Just now Clara got home from school and asked "Is it Halloween yet??" Guess she enjoyed it this year.

10.31.19 - joy statuses

 

10.31.19 - Kid snippets: Calvin's pacifier falls out

Just now I was singing The Rainbow Connection to Calvin and he grinned so much that his pacifier kept falling out of his mouth.

10.27.19 - Witches Tea and Trunk or Treat

real time notes I took about Sunday (10/27):
Jane didn't wake until 730am, cuddled awhile, I felt nice and awake
pancake breakfast with jack Johnson
Calvin was easy going, happy while we worked in kitchen
Clara used the potty, got ice cream
Girls ate pancakes
Girls got along playing together well
Jack didn't have to get up until 845

Enjoyed making Erin laugh at witches tea
happy to win bingo (twice) and get a cute fall decoration
talked to Neil to and from on the drive

Girls both wanted to be witches for trunk or treat and looked adorable
Clara played several games, Jane even tried a few, but the bouncy house was the big hit
Kept saying 'Get you!' at my girls plus a couple others including little girl with dragon face paint, really fun, laughed a lot
Both girls ate enough pizza dinner to get a piece of candy each for dessert and they were psyched
After they went to bed Jack and I stayed up and sorted gluten-free candy from the rest, Jack googled a lot of candy to make sure and he and I hate most of the gluten candy together

10.27.19 - Kid Snippets: bossy 2-year-old

Jane: Mama, more singing!
Me (singing): There were ten in the bed and the little one said--
Jane: No! Two!
Me: Oh, ok. (Singing) There were two in the bed--
Jane: No! My turn!
Me: Ok...

And then she sings the rest of it without me.

10.26.19 - Pumpkin Patch Day!

This weekend was full of Halloween festivities: Saturday was the Pumpkin Farm followed by painting/carving pumpkins and eating pumpkin seeds. Today I went to the Witches' Tea with Erin and then Jack and I took the kids to Trunk or Treat at Arden Church of Nazarene. I tried to take a lot of pictures and videos, but here are the points I want to remember (some of which we didn't capture):

Pumpkin patch (10/26):
Saturday morning Clara woke up grumpy (possibly because she woke up alone--Calvin and Jane were already in the living room wit me). She joined us with a scrunched up face and when I said "Today is the day we go to the pumpkin patch!" she responded "NO! I don't WANT to go to the pumpkin patch!" Of course later she warmed to the idea. Just a rough start for a little girl.

Jane chose three other previous Halloween-based shirts before we settled on the Nightmare Before Christmas one. I was pretty happy she wanted to wear the "princess skirt" (the gray tulle skirt that had come with Clara's elephant costume) all day. It was adorable. I originally was going to wear my Jack-o-Lantern shirt, but it was a bit too small and definitely too warm. However for the brief time I had it on, it inspired Clara and she too wanted a pumpkin shirt. I tried the black Jack-o-Lantern shirt (which is only 3T) and it just barely fit her. She's had it since 2016.

Henry arrived right on time, of course, but we still had to get the kids ready. We got to the pumpkin patch maybe 10 minutes late, which I am pretty sure is less late than years past so progress.

Unfortunately I'm too tired to write out all the details, but the kids loved basically everything. Clara saw the bouncy castle from the entrance and couldn't wait to get there, but we had arrived just after the place opened and there were literally no other kiddos using the bouncy castle yet. Clara got inside but sat very still and said she couldn't do it. Jane wouldn't even go inside in the first place, but just wanted to watch Clara closely from the safety of the outside. Fortunately the kid who had punched their tickets said they could just come back later when there were more kids to model the behavior for them. In fact staff told us more than once that because we were there so early when it's not busy, we can try some of the attractions more than once or longer than is typical.

I was worried we'd wasted our money buying kids passes for each of the girls (events are $3/person piecemeal but you can save a little money if you get the passes to cover a bunch of events--assuming your kids actually participate in each event). However once Beth, Jake, and Hunter arrived, Hunter also couldn't wait to go in the bouncy castle and he got Clara to join too. At this point there were only 2-3 other kids so it was not at all crowded or too intimidating. Clara watched Hunter closely and soon was bouncing around herself, and he even got her to go down the bouncy castle slide. One of my favorite things about this entire day was watching what good buds Hunter and Clara are. <3

Jane saw Clara enjoying herself and eventually decided it was probably safe for her too. She went inside and even though she never actually stood up or tried to bounce at all, she seemed to love the feeling of everyone bouncing around her because she was not a quiet girl: loud squeals of sheer delight over and over.

Normally one ticket is supposed to be 6 minutes in the bouncy castle, but because there were so few people around he let us stay indefinitely, so the girls enjoyed it at least 15 maybe 20 or more minutes.

When we took both the train ride and the hay ride, Henry ran ahead to get a bunch of pictures of us approaching. The kids would get excited to see him and wave at him. We joked that he's even faster than a train because he could easily run alongside it. When the train circled back and we were disembarking, Clara darted off back toward the bouncy castle and Henry was quick enough to catch her before she got too far away from the group. So helpful having him around.

--This is as far as I got recording everything when it actually happened, and now it's a month later so I'll write what I can remember.--

Erin, Jake, and I took the kids (except Calvin) on a hay ride and they loved it. It was slightly longer and a slightly different route than the train ride, and it included an intercom recording explaining a lot of the weird and creepy statues around the pumpkin patch and what they were supposed to be.

When we finished we went over to the actual collections of pumpkins. Henry grabbed a wagon and I told the girls we could pick one large pumpkin (to carve) and two small ones (to paint). But they basically just kept choosing pumpkins and adding them to the wagon as I kept removing the extra ones. That lasted a while, then I let them actually get in the wagon (with the pumpkins we settled on) and I pulled the wagon while Jack pushed the stroller and we all caravanned to the corn maze. I pulled them through that for awhile. I think around there is when Jake, Hunter, and Beth joined us. Hunter also got in the wagon to be pulled around the corn maze.

After not too long we emerged in a playground made largely of haystacks but also with a few slides and tunnels and things. The kids loved it. There was even a small house made of hay stacks and corn stalks that they kept running through - it was just right for their height. There were also some fenced in chickens they were checking out.

By now we had actually been at the patch for over two hours, a record, and I was getting tired and figured Jane would need a nap soon.  So we went and bought our pumpkins (plus a mini pumpkin for baby Calvin) and got our now traditional family photos in front of the Pumpkin Farm sign. Then we drove home and, amazingly, the girls didn't fall asleep.

When we got home I tried to get Jane to take a nap but she was genuinely too wound up. She didn't throw a fit or anything, she just hung out in her room awake and after 20 minutes I let her come back out. Jack scooped the large pumpkin and then found a pumpkin seed recipe involving olive oil and Parmesan that was excellent. Meanwhile we set the girls up to paint their pumpkins but Jane actually only wanted to color hers with crayons. It really didn't work at all but she seemed happy with it and it was a lot less messy than paint, so okay. Clara did paint her pumpkin a bunch of different colors and it turned out really well, like a tye dye pumpkin.

I carved the larger pumpkin Jack had scooped, and the girls were pretty interested in watching me. When I was done we went ahead and lit a real candle so they could check it out, and Henry helped teach Clara how to blow the candle out. She was very excited.

We spent the rest of the evening just hanging out. Henry went to get Costco pizza for us and frozen gluten free pizza for the girls, but Costco was so packed we had already put the girls to bed before he returned. (After we kissed them good night, they told us "Happy Halloween!" So adorable.) We still enjoyed pizza and visits with him before he had to leave.