Pumpkin Spice

My neighbor from Australia told me that one of the things she and her family have found amusing since moving to the United States is the absolute obsession with pumpkin spice during the fall season. She said in Australia pumpkin is a "potato like" vegetable. That's it.
There's no spice to it.
It's not sweet.
And it's definitely not made into a latte.

It's true. There seems to be an obsession with pumpkin spice; and, every year this "little spicy orange potato" seems to pop up in more places. This year I've seen it in facial scrubs, breakfast cereals and protein powder. There are no limits to what  pumpkin and spice can be added to.  😀

Speaking of PUMPKINS....

We had the most picturesque afternoon at the pumpkin patch last weekend. It was one of those moments where I just stood back and remained fully present; I soaked  every aspect of that experience in. I didn't want to miss one moment of this gorgeous, pumpkin day.
My kids are all enthusiastic about pumpkin patches and all the activities that are included with such a trip.

Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors dotted the expansive field with Mount Hood in the background.

It was a perfectly clear fall afternoon.
Overhead, flocks of geese flew in an organized arrow formation against the blue sky.


The  canopy above us was absolutely illuminated in full fall glory.
The air was a bit chilly, yet patches of sunlight gave a comforting warmth.
Families played and enjoyed being with each other.

 That is what I love about pumpkin patch time. It is simply an opportunity for families to just play together, something that I don't do enough with my kids.

I love seeing dads act goofy with their kids in the hay.  I love seeing moms take a pause from the rigors of keeping a neat little family and simply embrace the mud. It is truly "good old fashion fun."

We visited our favorite pumpkin patch, Fir Point Farms. I love this particular patch because there are farm animals and lots of room to roam and play!

And play we did!

The cow train, a painted milk bucket line pulled by a crazy tractor driver, is always a very anticipated activity.

He really gave us a ride to remember as he pulled us all over the farm, through mud puddles, around trees and bumpy corn fields. He chuckled and smiled the entire time, delighted that he could provide such thrills.
Evie and Levi wedged themselves in one of the little carts together.
 I sat in front of them with Caleb ; I kept turning around to make sure they were ok, and the smiles and giggles of delight reassured me they were having a good time.
John and James sat in front of us.
Everyone was a bit cramped but cozy; and by the end of the ride, we were all bit sore too.

Then there was the giant potato sack slide.
 I stood at the top, trying to maintain order as herds of anxious children threw themselves down the shoot on top of empty,  itchy potato sacks.
My kids couldn't get enough of it! Over and over they rode the slide.

A perfect afternoon to play in the hay maze.

Then it was pumpkin picking time! Each of the kids wandered the field and picked out a pumpkin; I realized  that each of their selections perfectly aligned with who they are.
Caleb confidently held up a white bumpy pumpkin. He insisted this was the perfect pumpkin, and that was that.

Levi on the other hand, went back and forth between pumpkins. His sister's influence had him second guessing his selection; he finally settled safely on a traditional round orange pumpkin, just like Evie.
James immediately gravitated to the small greenish warty pumpkins. I voiced my opinion that I thought they were ugly; James thought they were perfect.

It is the middle of October already. It truly has been a gorious fall here in the Pacific Northwest. We ended our pumpkin themed weekend by shooting off left over fireworks from the Fourth of July. 😃😃
And of course, indulging in some pumpkin spice ice cream.