The Pumpkin Path

Our Little Pumpkin

Halloween is one of my most favorite Holidays! ​But this year I wasn’t sure what we would do for Halloween. Since we live in a mountain community I talked a friend of mine, who lives in more of a neighborhood setting, into hosting a trick or treat party at her house in Auburn, After we asked her to host a trick or treating party, we found out that the Waldorf school where we have been attending a weekly parent/tot class hosts a Pumpkin Path on Halloween Night. So we signed up. I was so excited that we had several activities to do on Halloween! We would start the evening by doing The Pumpkin Path and finish by going trick or treating with some friends!

​Darrin and I did not know what to expect in regards to The Pumpkin Path and we were both pleasantly surprised. It was basically a story that we were led through by an angel guide with several different stops where the actors told their part of the story and passed out gifts to the children. The entire path was lined with jack o’lanterns. The theme of this year's story was that the king and queen were hosting a party for their sixteen year old twins but the venue had been changed so we had to go to each area in the village and let everyone know that the venue had been changed for the party. The villagers then thanked us by giving us small gifts. The pumpkin path ended at the twins' birthday party. It was beautiful and very well done and Charley loved it. She kept saying afterwards, “I saw queen.”

​The Pumpkin Path took us a bit longer then we anticipated so we ended up being a little late to my friend’s home but we managed to get there and went trick or treating as a group. My friend, Kirsten, did a wonderful job hosting and made lots of fun treats for us to snack on, but I was a bit disappointed with the lack of participation in her neighborhood. The kids had a fine time but it just seemed like many of the homes were dark and the few that did participate had a few decorations scattered about. It made me wonder, “Where has the Halloween Spirit gone that I remember?” Or perhaps this is the norm and the Halloween that I have memories of was a complete anomaly? After we returned home Darrin and I both agreed that although trick or treating was fun we all really enjoyed The Pumpkin Path. Perhaps this is the start of a new tradition for our family!

Me and my little pumpkin!

The King and Queen asking us to spread the news!

 

Following the Pumpkin Path!

One of the stops along the way

Happy Halloween

 

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Charley's Second Birthday!

Charley's Second Birthday!

 

For Charley's birthday we decided to have a Pumpkin Party! To keep things simple, we decided to have the party at our house since we have lots of room for kids to play. About a week before her party we visited a local pumpkin patch where they had a straw bale structure for the kids to climb. I thought it would be fun if we could build something like that in our backyard. But how would I get straw bales to the house? When we got home from the pumpkin patch I happened to find a man who was selling 16 bales of straw on Craigslist and he would deliver them to our house for free! So on Sunday 16 bales of straw were delivered to our home! Moving the straw was a much bigger chore then I expected. But, after a bit of cursing, Darrin managed to move them and build a wonderful play structure for the kids to enjoy!

Moving the straw bales

Our Finished Product! (After much blood, sweat, and tears!)

Some of our friends enjoying the straw bale structure

 

In addition to our straw bale structure we had a pumpkin painting table which Grandma helped supervise, leaves to jump in, and a parachute to play with (that Grandpa Allen brought over.) Plus we had Grandpa in the kitchen baking up pepperoni pizza's that were in the shape of a pumpkin, and Darrin bought some pumpkin beer for the parents! And to finish off our pumpkin party we of course had Pumpkin Pie!

Pumpkin Painting

Our Friends Wyatt and Ryan enjoyed playing in the leaves!

The sandbox was also a big hit!

Playing with the big parachute was lots of fun!

Running under the parachute!

We were blessed to have so many family and friends who could celebrate with us!

Gaga and Grandpa Allen helping Charley with her pumpkin

Giving a hug to Pop!

Hanging out with Daddy!

Charley was a little nervous when everyone sang Happy Birthday but luckily she had lots of friends to help her blow out her candle!

Enjoying her pie with her friends!

 

Later that day, after her nap, Charley opened her presents with

Grandma and Grandpa and Grandpa Allen and Marilyn

Looking at the recordable book that Grandpa Allen gave her

 

One of her favorite presents was her Curious George monkey. She is insisting that I nurse George in this picture. Silly Monkey!

 

On Sunday morning when Charley woke up she had one more present waiting for her, a bike that grandma and Grandpa gave her. She was very excited about having her own bike and got on it right away!

Charley and her new tricycle!

She had to start riding it right away!

 

On Sunday afternoon we took Grandma and Grandpa to the park so Charley could ride her new bike!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Charley had a wonderful birthday and we are so glad that so many family and friends were able to help celebrate with our little pumpkin!

 

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Fall Pics

Here are a few cute fall pics. We went to a local pumpkin patch with our moms group and they had pony rides. Charley wasn't up to riding the "real" ponies. But she really liked this one!

Riding "Poppy" the pony at Poppy Lane Pumpkin Patch

 

Another activity Charley really enjoys is helping to feed our chickens!

Charley loves to help with the chickens. The chickens aren't too sure what to think of her! But she likes to feed them and helps me collect the eggs. Her main job is to chase them off the grass when they get too close. She is a big help!

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Our Week At The Coast (Part Two!)

(One of Charley's favorite expressions right now is, "Oh goodness." I just realized that it's been a good while since I've updated our blog and that definitely deserves an, "Oh goodness!" )

During our week to the coast we had the chance to visit several pumpkin patches! Charley loved walking around and exploring each of them but her favorite activity was to attempt to sit on each pumpkin and pretend it was a bike!

Exploring a pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay

Her favorite activity, pumpkin riding! :)

We couldn't resist we all had to get pics in the pumpkin patch!

On Friday afternoon our good friends Jennifer and Sheldon came and spent the weekend with us. We had lots of fun exploring the beach, visiting the little town of Pescadero for dinner, and on our last night we even had a bonfire on the beach and Charley got to experience her first roasted marshmallow!

Exploring the beach with Auntie Jennifer (who Charley named Tippa during their visit)

 

On Saturday afternoon after the tide went out we found this great cave on the beach!

 

In the cave, Charley found a rock that she enjoyed pretending was a bike. Darrin got a couple of really sweet photos of Charley on her "bike".

On Saturday evening we went to the beach town of Pescadero and had some wood fired pizza at the General Store. Behind the store was a pumpkin patch with picnic tables. It worked out perfect we got to eat our pizza while sitting in the pumpkin patch! Two of Charley's favorite things!

On Saturday evening we wrapped up our week at the beach by having a big bonfire! We also introduced Tippa and Charley to roasted marshmallows.

Thanks for coming to visit us at the beach Tippa and Uncle Sheldon we had lots of fun!

On Sunday morning we packed up and said goodbye to the beach house. We had lots of fun and we will definitely be back!

On our drive back home we stopped in Berkeley to visit our friends Lee and Cherie and their daughter Amalia. Amalia is four months older then Charley and the last time we saw each other was when Charley was two months old.

Playing in Amalia's water table

Amalia showing Charley her bike!

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