Holland Farms...

So, it is that time of year when you go to the pumpkin patch and pick that one pumpkin to paint, carve, or decorate. Well, here in Florida there are no pumpkin patches. So, all of the places I found have advertised patches, but they have brought them in from the North and put them in a field...that is until I found this place. Holland Farms grew their own pumpkin patch!!! I was so excited, I couldn't contain myself. The kids didn't have school on a Monday for "planning day" so I made a picnic lunch and we headed out. This place was very home grown foods. They are actually a peanut farm, but have a pumpkin patch and a sunflower field. We watched them boil and roast peanuts and went on a 30-40 minute hayride that even went through the woods. It was fabulous. The kids enjoyed themselves and we will be back in the summer/spring for the watermelons!!! Oh, and peanuts grow above ground...I didn't know that!!

10th Navarre Car Show...

After getting up early Saturday morning for the 5K and then a birthday party we walked a mile up to the High School to check out the car show. It was a great time. The kids were in AWWW! We walked down one side and headed back up the other. When we got to the end we noticed a man sitting by a pool in the grass. The kids, of course, are in total wonder?!?! He asked if they wanted to pretend they were hamsters....

So...this is what happens. Grace gets in the bubble and he blows it up with air and seals it. She fussed a bit when he sealed it but once we pushed her in the water she was in heaven. It was hilarious. Then it is Seth's turn and they were off!! They had races from one side of the pool to the other. They spent about 10 minutes in them and I will tell you that they slept VERY well that night!! But then again, so did mama!!!

Run for the Reef 5K...

As most people know I am NOT one for running. I am much more comfortable in the pool swimming laps where I don't have aching joints. But I know that when I would walk for exercise I would walk at least 5 miles. So, when we moved to Florida, I picked up this flyer for a 5K run/walk. I am by no means a fast runner. I figured I would sign up to run, that way if I wanted to walk some of it I could. I got there around 630am and walked around and talked to some people that have done this before. Everyone was super nice. Race time was 730 and the horn blew. We were off...45:17 (minutes) 14:35 (average mile time) later I crossed the finish line with Grace and Seth yelling for me. I felt great that I finished under the alloted time and wasn't the last one in..LOL

After the race we walked up to The Pier and had a snack. The kids were all over the fruit and bread. How awesome is it to be able to finish a 5K and then go sit in the sand and enjoy the view. They had give-aways on the beach and The Pier was supplying the free beer...hahahaha!!

Bedtime...

We have a bedtime routine, like I am sure everyone does. Ours is simple, but the kids usually won't go to sleep unless the entire routine has been completed. I will read to the kids and then Richie sings each of them a special song. Grace wants, "I Love You" from Guys and Dolls and Seth wants, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". The other night was a little different. I read to Grace and Richie was reading to Seth and singing. I asked Grace if she wanted me to sing and she said NO, she would wait for Daddy. I think she wanted to wait for Richie because she will hide from him before he comes in the room. When Richie finished reading and singing to Seth, I was in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner and when he walked into Grace's room this is what he found...an empty bed!!

No worries, he thought, since she is usually hiding from him. He checked all the usual places and came out frantic. He asked me where Grace was and I said in her room waiting for him to sing. It was seriouly no more than 30 seconds from the time she was yelling for him to hurry up! I walked towards the room and Richie came back out of the room laughing. He found her...I will say that if my children are tired they will sleep anywhere!!

Trying to get her out from under the bed was tricky, she was so tired, she probably would have slept there all night...What a trooper though, she tried to stay awake :) BTW: this is only at 715pm...

Writing Letters to Friends back home...

The kids have been very excited about keeping in touch with their friends back home. Grace has been practicing her writing lately and loves to figure out how to spell words. She just finished a letter to a dear friend back in Aviston!!!
They both recieved letters from their best buds today in the mail and already they are figuring out what to write back.

Monarch Madness...

This past weekend was jammed packed full of family goodness. It started Saturday morning with the last soccer games of the season. Grace and Seth both played and have loved it. They have made a lot of new friends and are really getting used to living in Florida. Once soccer ended, Grace had an end of season pool party!!

Later, after the party, we came home and being married to A.D.D husband, there is never a dull moment in the house. We took the coffee table to the garage and stripped it to bare wood and started refinishing it. Seth was outside riding his bike and Grace was in tears because she didn't have anyone to play with. She is having a hard time understanding that she can't do everything Seth does. She is younger and I know it is hard. She and I walked over to Abby's house (Abby is 5) and she was supposed to be napping, so Grace was in tears again. BUT...along came a van!! The ice cream truck pulled down the street and every child in the neighborhood (including Abby, the nap thing didn't work out her mom said...hahaha) came out of the houses. It is amazing to live through your children. After snacks Abby asked if Grace could come over to play. Grace was thrilled and Abby's mom said it was fine since she could let Abby outside right now because Logan was sleeping. About an hour later, I went over to Abby's to check on Grace and talk to Jodi and when I got to the door, Abby was opening to ask me if Grace could go to the Butterfly house with her.

Grace and I followed them up there, and it was incredible to watch Grace meet and talk to new people. The girls had a GREAT time.

Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze...

I love fall...the cool breeze, the fresh air smell and all fall festivals. Moving to Florida has been hard to find fall festivals to go to. We did find this one in Milton, FL, about 45 minutes from us. It was worth the drive though. We had a blast. They had a 5 acre corn maze and it was tricky. The kids were the leaders and have no fear, we made it through without getting lost. :) There were lots of activities for the whole family.

You must ring the bell when you exit the maze.

We practiced our roping skills, and rode on the hay ride, the kids went on pony rides and shot corn out of a cannon!!!

We are still looking for a pumpkin patch around here, but since pumpkins don't grow in the South, we have to find somewhere that the pumpkins have been transplanted :)