Pumpkin Patch: Part I

As the heat slowly fades (and in Houston, we mean very slowly) to give way to fall, it can only mean one thing - pumpkin patch time! We have been picking out our pumpkins from the Clear Lake United Methodist Church for years and this year would be no exception. Last year was Sadie's first visit to the pumpkin patch and while she seemed to enjoy it, we couldn't wait for her to get older and be better able to meander around the giant orange orbs. As she walked up to the sight, she exclaimed, "WHOA!" She then walked over to the first little area and pointed, saying "punkin!" She seemed very interested in the texture and really enjoyed picking up the smaller ones and placing them in an adjacent wheelbarrow that was pint size - just like her. 

After a bit of trouble figuring out how to get the wheelbarrow to move, Sadie had the ingenious idea to convince Daddy to help her. He gladly obliged and the screamed with glee as they pushed the small pumpkins all over the hay-covered ground.

After patting several pumpkins, we took a few pictures sitting on or with pumpkins. We also figured out that Sadie is much harder to pose now since she has entered toddlerhood. :) She was so intrigued with the pumpkins that it made sitting her atop one without wiggling or crying "down!" almost impossible!

Gammy, Granddaddy, and Sadie

Mommy and Daddy

Sadie and SuSu

before we headed out Sadie hugged the scarecrow. She has a special interest and affinity for all scarecrows due to her love for the Wizard of Oz. The scarecrow is probably her favorite character; she enjoys watching him dance up and down the yellow brick road and can even sing along to parts of the song and do a tiny toddler version of the choreography. Sadie also loved Gammy's scarecrow hat.

Bye, scarecrow! Bye!

Gammy, the scarecrow!

Instead of having Mexican food (somewhat a tradition before Mommy's gall bladder got too bad), we opted for Pink Berry frozen yogurt. Sadie loved tasting the samples in the small paper cup and was delighted when she realized we were getting more. Her favorite was the mango and the peanut butter - not together, of course. After we left, Sadie ran outside and played chase with James in an empty Staples parking lot. She screamed and squealed as they took turns running after one another and people walking bye seemed to smile - either remembering what it is to be so joyful as a child or perhaps remembering when their kids were small and those happy squeals filled their days. :) What a fun night.