In case you are wondering, we do still see our children occasionally. In fact, our travels are over for about two weeks, and the next time we leave town, we are bringing the entire brood with us.
October is here, and the kids are thinking about Halloween. Last weekend we headed out to harvest pumpkins.
Big tubs of pre-picked pumpkins were available, but that’s not our style. We headed out to the far patch to see what we could find among the rows.
No, we did not suddenly acquire two more kids. Apparently, our friends Owen and JoJo needed pumpkins, too.
Somewhat contrary to her usual spastic tendencies, Alden is a patient and discerning pumpkin selector.
It was only after a great deal of hunting and inspecting that she made this selection.
Neither was Kato willing to pounce on the first pumpkin he found. He made quite a sweeping survey of the patch before finally settling. And, in his search for the perfect pumpkin, he was unwilling to be hampered by pants, which, as everyone knows, slow a fellow down.
In keeping with a preference established last year, Kato selected a green pumpkin. He is fond of the color orange in most other contexts, but when it comes to pumpkins, Kato walks on the wild side.
Recognizing that both August and I were limited in our ability to hunt by the fact of being attached to one another, Alden selected pumpkins for us. I think she did a fine job.
Finding pumpkins is only half as fun as attempting to balance them on one’s head. This, according to Alden.
I can confirm her findings.
With Halloween still three weeks distant, Christmas is already creeping into the kids’ imaginations. Alden and Owen decided to make a “pumpkin snowman.”
And what is a pumpkin snowman without a healthy head of hair?
In spite of my obvious handicap, I was able to choose my own pumpkin, this gorgeous deep green fellow on my left shoulder. I think Kato is onto something.
If you aren’t in the know, Lockbriar Farms sells delicious, homemade ice cream. We sampled pumpkin, s’mores, and caramel apple, all delicious. Or so says Kato.
August did not disagree.
Of course, when at the pumpkin patch, it is important to sit on hay bales, either by oneself…
…or in the company of others.
But the real fun of hay bales is to jump from them (sans pants, if possible).
And the real purpose of papas is to catch you when you do.
