Pumpkins at Jubilee Farm

Our friends recently invited us to meet up for a pumpkin hunting mission, and they're chosen destination was Jubilee Farm in Carnation.  We were most surprised to find a farmstead full of activities tucked away down a rural road.  The girls enjoyed the hayride (some are even pulled by great big horses!) and the pumpkin hunting almost as much as we did, but I think they're favorite parts were the pony rides and the chance to shell beans.  The Christmas beans they had on the shelling table were a beautiful mottled purple, and I was amazed at their patience in shelling one long bean after another.  We came away with a monster of a pumpkin and a real desire to go back again soon.

Babies and TV

Oh dear.  Here are two articles about children and screen time that dovetail in a disturbing way.  The first is about the renewed plea by the American Academy of Pediatrics to limit screen time among children and especially among babies younger than two.  Speech delays, cognitive delays, etc, etc, etc.  The second is about all the extra tech time kids are getting, and the forms it's begun to take.  It seems that poorer kids are much more likely to have a TV in their bedrooms where they often watch as much as they like.  The richer kids, by comparison, tend to use computers and handheld devices at much higher rates.  There is great debate about the pros and cons of each form of entertainment, but one thing is certain: kids are spending lots of time in front of screens.

18 Months!

Please inform the town crier; Delphinium is eighteen months old! She's the sweetest little "wobbler" (though she doesn't wobble much anymore. now we're more about running as fast as possible) that there could ever be. She loves baby dolls (especially Bess) and stuffed animals and books, books, books! She also loves to play in the backyard, go for walks, visit the park and the library, and play with her friends. She especially loves when Dada comes home at night, and when her cousins and grandparents come around.


She gives the best snuggles and knee hugs you can possibly imagine. Most of the time she's very sweet and easy-going, but she does have opinions about things, and does her best to let you know what she needs. In the hour before bedtime she often becomes the silliest little person. I'm celebrating Thanksgiving a little early this year.

Get Yourself a Pumpkin

Do it right now today.  Trader Joe's is selling them for $3, so trot yourself down there (or some other grocery place) to buy one.  Why?  Because it will make you think of fall even if it's not very autumnal where you are.  Don't say "I'm not a kid" or "My kids are grown" or anything like that.  You don't even have to carve it if you don't want, but just buy a small sugar pie pumpkin, put it on your porch or your dining table, and enjoy it for a couple of weeks.  They keep very well as long as the shell is washed clean and not allowed to get wet thereafter.  When November 1st rolls around, you can chop it up for soup or pie, and it will still be sweet and delicious.  Halloween is not just for kids and costumes (though those are nice traditions) everybody deserves to have a taste.

School Search Part 4

Well this will certainly not be a very long post. Schools number six and seven were nothing to write home about. Okay nothing GOOD to write home about. The first was an old place with an ancient director, and I'm sure it was lovely once upon a time. Like perhaps in 1987 when it was last updated. It was tired, grubby, and outdated, and the people who worked there looked like they were completely uninspired. The oddest part about it all was the price. This was the most expensive school we've seen so far.


The last school of the day was also the best deal of the whole week. For only $1000 (har!) they will watch your child for ten hours per day (as limited by law) five days per week. They will feed your child three meals and three snacks, put him or her down for naps, change diapers, arrange hair cuts, and in every other way take over the job of parenting for you. In fact, you only need be responsible for getting them there in the morning, and putting them into bed at night. Some people actually want that situation, but most are probably forced into it by circumstance. Either way, it's pretty sad for the kid.

The facility was open, airy, and even clean, but I still do not want to send my girl to a place that specializes in warehousing kids. Also the teacher yelled across the room at one child, and that was when she knew we were there listening. Can you imagin what she would be like when there was no one around but the kids? Thus far we are not overly impressed with the schools on offer. Only one seems like a real prospect to me. It shouldn't be this hard to find quality care.

Baby Sings

As I've mentioned before, our baby is quite a fan of her Kindermusik classes.  She's been bopping along to the tunes and dances since she was only seven months old, and now she's really able to participate.  One of the songs they've been using a lot lately is "Ring Around the Rosie."  She loves the way you hold hands, dance in a circle, and then all fall down. 

She demands that we sing and dance with her (and at least one babydoll) several times a day.  Then I noticed that she was actually singing along!  She can't make the actual words yet, but she is definitely setting her babble to the tune.  I know, I know, one day I'm going to wish she would just sit down and be quiet but not yet. 

Halloween Prep

Most years, October 1st means a shift into Halloween mode. I love the holiday, and I'm so excited to decorate (a little at a time starting with autumn things) consider costumes, and sometimes plan a party. The last two years however, were not so festive. Two years ago I was greenly pregnant at this time, and not feeling up to doing much. Last year I had a little baby and was newly returned from a major trip, so that was a wash as well. This year, finally, I get to indulge my pumpkin passions once again!

I know, I know Martha and her ilk have already been working on this holiday for weeks if not months. While I love to look at the ideas from those over-achievers, I am not that organized. Two weeks before the holiday is all I can manage. Besides, My Dear Husband (MDH) would not be pleased with me if I filled the house with velvet bats and black tulle in late September. Thus I have a big job to do in a short space of time.

My secret weapon is Grandma. My mom is an amazing gardener and seamstress, so the costumes and pumpkins are fiat accompli (if you know what I mean). In fact, she brought us not only six regular orange pumpkins, but also one massive knobbly green monster.  I think all these beauties will have to grace the front of the house because they will stay so much fresher that way.  That means decorating the front door area is practically half done already.  Add our friendly scarecrow, a spooky "welcome" sign, and a string of lights in the window and you're all set. 

The trend these days (in our neighborhood) seems to be these very elaborate outdoor scenes of graveyards or dungeons or other scary things.  While I applaud the enthusiasm, I can't get behind such over-the-top displays.  Not only are they expensive and time-consuming, but they are also often very scary for the small fry.  I prefer to keep my house looking fun and halloweeny, but still warm and welcoming as well.  I guess maybe this is partly dependant on how old your kids are at the moment. 

Now that outside is pretty much done, I will turn my attention to indoors and also party planning.  I have some things I can use from past years, but I will need to either make or buy other items.  As I mentioned before, Martha is a great inspiration, so I'll certainly be perusing her site.  Another one I like is this blog; which is a complete resource for Halloween party planning.  I love the way it has suggestions for the whole party and not just one or two items.  Hopefully I'll come up with a theme and some activity ideas within the next few days.  I'll keep you posted.