Family Pumpkin Patch and Sausage Fest

On the last beautiful weekend in October we were able to all hang out as a family.  There were plenty of things going on that we thought of doing and the winners were hitting up one of the pumpkin patches and the Sausage Festival.

Saturday we decided to hit up the pumpkin patch.  We have so many up in the North end we decided to try one of the new ones, Thomas Family Farm.  After deciding on what package we were going to get for all the activities we headed on into Kid Land.

The weather was beautiful this day and warm.  Our bundled up selves weren't really prepared for the sixty degree weather that it turned out to be.   First up was the water duck races and then the miniature golf.  Knox loved this part and would have been happy staying here the rest of the time.  Then they hit up the corn pit and Alyssa went into the play house where she wrote her name on the chalk board to let everyone know she was there.  Of course you can't hit a pumpkin patch without riding the cow train, I think they did this twice at this visit.  After that was all said and done we headed on out to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins.

We each were able to find one we liked.  Alyssa I think would have taken them all home if she could.  It was such a beautiful day out we decided to head on out to Fred's in Snohomish for some lunch.  The kids love it down there and after our lunch we walked along the river.

When we got home we all had some down time before our babysitter arrived and Cory and I headed out for dinner.  We wanted to try something new so we hopped the ferry and headed to Kingston for dinner.  It was a great evening out!

Sunday we headed on over to the Sausage Festival.  The Catholic school in Everett puts it on for their fundraiser to help raise money for the care of their grounds.  It's been a hit with the family since we started going.  Of course there are carnival rides and yummy food!  Alyssa was so excited because she is tall enough now to ride the Ferris wheel, unfortunately I had to ride it with her.  I hate this ride.  You can throw me up side down at high speeds but put me on that thing and I freak out!  I sucked it up and rode it with her while Cory was with Knox doing the cars.

The big hit besides the elephant ear was the roller coaster.  They went on that about five times and we were smart and got them bracelets so they were able to ride the rides multiple times.  What I found fascinating was that since the end of August both kids had grown two inches.  I knew they had just by eating/sleeping/clothing habits but didn't think two each!

It was a perfect way to spend what will probably be the last nice weekend of the year!

Preschool Field Trip

Last week Alyssa had her field trip to one of the pumpkin patches up by our house, The Farm.  It's one that I have been going to for the last four years now and it's pretty cool. 

We really lucked out on the weather.  It was a beautiful foggy morning and after an hour or so it lifted and was a crisp fall day that turned out to be perfect!  The ground wasn't wet so there was no need for rain boots, unlike normal fall weather around the PNW.  There was also really no need for jackets.

Alyssa and I met up with her class for a nice three hour trip.  First up was the hay ride out to get our pumpkins.  On the way she sat next to her friend Miley and Mason.  She actually snuck a kiss into Mason.  It was so cute.

Once out into the field Alyssa picked out several pumpkins we were allowed two for free and any others we had to pay for.  She really wanted to bring some home for Knox.  It was very cute.
When we got back to the farm our next stop was the barn for the hay maze and slide. 

It's funny because I mentioned that I have been going here for the last few years with Alyssa.  This year was a whole new experience for both of us.  Meaning the shy girl she once was is blossoming into this little girl that at times I don't even recognize.  She was probably the first one in and running all over climbing up the hay barrels and heading to the slide.  It was fun to watch all the kids fly down that thing!

Next up were the duck races...literally!  I will post a video so you can get a look at that!

Then we headed over to the play area and the kids ran around playing on the slides, swings, corn pit, and another hay maze.  I got to chat with a couple of moms and that was nice.

After we were done there we headed over to see some of the new baby animals on the farm.  Alyssa loved the kittens.  She wants a cat soo bad!  Thankfully Cory is allergic so I don't have to worry about getting one, plus I dislike cats.

Next up was the ice cream which Alyssa let her teacher know was her favorite part when asked at school the next week.  We were waiting for that to start and were excited to learn that the pig races were beginning to start so we headed on over there to have our ice cream and watch the races.

After all was said and done and our good byes made we headed down to pick up Knox who was hanging out with his friend Cal at the Children's Museum.  They were having a blast and we hung out for about an hour before we had to pack it up and head out.

Dentist Appointments

The kids had another dentist appointment.  For Alyssa it was just a routine appointment but for Knox it was his first.  Alyssa was so excited to go and talks about it all the time, she loves brushing her teeth and does such a good job.  I wasn't sure how Knox would do but surprisingly he did ok. 

Alyssa went back by herself and did amazing and with good results no cavities!  That always surprises me because I stress about them cleaning their teeth good.  It's such a huge part of being healthy, good hygene.

Knox was no different, no cavities, he let them clean his teeth and was a pretty good sport.  He wasn't a huge fan but let them do it and enjoyed watching Cars on t.v. while doing so.  He would stop screaming and only to start again because I think he realized he wasn't doing it anymore.  He cracks me up.

Until March all is good!

Zoo Day

We hadn't made it to the zoo at all during the summer and decided that we would wait until school started back up and go then.  My good friend and her kids were going with us and she picked her birthday for us to go.  It was a beautiful day, we have been fortunate to be having such great weather for so long, and there was absolutely no one there to boot!

Our plan was to try and get there by 930 and head to the giraffes so we could feed them.  We didn't make that but were able to cone in on the feeding and they are just amazing animals.  Both my kids loved it and thought it was fascinating.

When we got to the monkeys one of them saw us started "talking" to his friend who then decided to come out and they put on a little show for us.  It was pretty funny.

Around noon we had our picnic lunch and Knox and Calvin decided that they were birds and doing some bird calling.  They were pretty cute and loud!  After we finished up we had a few more animals we wanted to check out.  We made our way over to the bears, elk, and leopards.



When we were looking at the Komodo Dragon Alyssa said "Mom, that is so cool he has a pool and a beach!  He is so lucky!"  I laughed and told her it wasn't exactly a pool or beach and she said it is for him.  Good point!

The bears were very active that day.  We were watching them for awhile before we went down to the viewing area by their pond.  The kids were both checking out the fish in the water when one of the bears came and got it.  Knox got a little frightened by the bear because he came up and stood up against the window.  It was pretty amazing to see.

This was one of our last stops and the kids were all starting to reach their limit.  I had one more stop to make before we headed home.  Since it was Michelle's birthday I took everyone over to Trophy Cupcakes in Wallingford.  I don't get the cupcake craze at all but I know my kids love them, hers had never been and it was her birthday so you need dessert!

The kids all enjoyed them as did we.  I would have thought the kids would have fallen asleep on the way back but no such luck.  They were all being crazy and making up stories etc.  It was a fun day had by all!