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.

Uphill and Onward!

Our neighborhood is called Fox Hill, but it never really occurred to me how much of a hill we are on until I had children trying to ride bikes.

Biker gang is on the loose!

The boys are really into their little plastic red tricycle bikes, but oh man, a mere trip around the block can take well over an hour with all the assists, screaming, crying and frustrations that comes with trying to pedal uphill.

One of the things I love about our neighborhood is that it's right next to a river path. However, when you go down to walk on it, there is a steep uphill on the way back, no matter what way you go.
 Evie and I have managed to make it down to the riverside path, and we barely make it back up again.
Between tears, sweat and the intense labor of hauling our bikes up the hill, I coached Evie step by step.
Trying to be intentional and embrace the struggle, I tried to infuse it with life lessons which may or may not have penetrated through her agony. I, in this moment, was determined to be her "life coach" and get her through this struggle whether she liked it or not!

"In life Evie, there will be trials, and hardships and so many hills! You need to preserve, keeping going, never give up! Onward! Upward!" 

Through sobs and tears and, "What are you talking about mom.....I can't do this....I'm too tired..."
we did make it to the top and the feeling of accomplishment made it all worth it.

Riding next to Evie one lovely fall afternoon I had a moment when I had to pinch myself to believe it was actually happening.  How is it that I actually have a little person next to me on a bike, talking to me and enjoying life with me?! Where did this relationship come from?! Can this really be my little girl?!! 

There have been so many moments lately where I have stopped and just soaked in the present moment because its surreal, and its passing quickly. Maybe it's this whole starting Kindergarten thing but Evie just seems to all of a sudden be truly a little person who thinks deeply, shares openly, helps willingly and engages in life and relationships.

 I have the urgency to make all these family memories and enjoy all these moments, like really enjoy these moments. Soak them in. Throw my phone across the room. Stare and just absorb and feel my children and who they are. I'm obsessed with just being present.

I've been drinking too much coffee and eating way too much chocolate because I want to be alert for everything! I'm running poor John around, planning these family outings and experiences...
I think I am so enthusiastic about all this because we can finally do it! For so long I feel like I've just been keeping my head above water and getting through moments (and I still do get through many moments!) but all of sudden I'm enjoying, really enjoying, my family life.

 

And I'm realizing how fast seasons pass, and how precious life is, and how we are not guaranteed next year, or next week or even the next hour!

Our fall so far has been packed with memory making opportunities.......

We watched the swift birds swirl and dance in the sky above Chapman school downtown Portland and dart into the chimney to nest.

We had our first family Salt n Straw ice cream experience with friends on 23rd!

We played on the beach!  John was the master sand castle builder while I encouraged the kids to chase sea gulls.

We've been loving watching and cheering on Evie during her Saturday morning soccer games. She scores goals and has so much fun. 

I chaperoned Evie's pumpkin patch trip to Sauvie Island (on the most gorgeous fall day I can remember!) 

We met other families and kids from Evie's class at a picnic in the park!

We had our annual family photo shoot at the park. Most fun one yet!

We've been enjoying our friends and community. 
Despite the hills, we do live in a great place. ;)

Life is precious, and beautiful and too magnificent to just pass through.

                      The trees are too radiant to just drive by.

And my kids are growing up too quickly to just get through it. 

End of Summer...and FIRST DAYS!

 Well, I just sent my little girl off to kindergarten. 
                                                             😀😂😄😊😥😙

             It's totally bitter sweet.  I am excited for this new chapter and Evie is so ready for it.

But I also recognize the closing of a chapter-a very difficult, grueling, all consuming chapter of her being at home with me; we are launching into a school schedule that will dictate and organize her daily life until she leaves our home as an adult.

I couldn't be more excited for this season of elementary school years. I am thrilled beyond thrilled.

Quick celebratory breakfast after
first day drop offs!

SO much has taken place over the past month or so here in the Patton household. I haven't been very good keeping updated, but here is a recap of the last month of summer, and then the beginning of the school year!

August: We took our first family trip to Chicago in three years! I never thought this day would come when I wouldn't be stressed out by airports and flights and delays and packing. But I really wasn't!

The flight was delayed going out of Portland but the boys thought the "people walker" at the end of the airport was just a best thing ever and they could have played on it all day!

The flight was great! Going up beyond the clouds was completely thrilling for the kids. James sat right up next to the window, marveling at the mountains, the tiny cars and lakes.
Caleb sat in the aisle, marveling at all the people, smiling and making joyful, friendly eyes at everyone who passed.

Levi sat next to Evie, so those two were happy playing on the iPad, a luxury they never get a chance to explore, unless we are flying. ;)

We landed in Chicago and were greeted by excited Grandma and Grandpa, who picked us up in two cars, all set up with borrowed car seats.

Sleeping arrangements were an adventure too!
 Levi and Evie thought they were excited about sharing a bed. This arrangement ended up lasting one night, as Evie dominated the covers and pushed Levi out.
 Levi ended up being very content sleeping on a mattress next to the full bed that Caleb and James shared together in a back room. Caleb and James had a heated negotiation every night over the covers.
They eventually fell asleep every night but in strange positions, sometimes upside down, across the foot of the bed, under a pillow.....as long as they were asleep, we were all happy. 

Celebrating Grandpa's birthday!

During my time there, I was able to go into my parent's storage space in the basement. Neatly packed were various boxes containing artifacts and toys from my childhood. Memories and happy feelings flooded me, and it was so much fun remembering my years growing up in that house. 
Every spot in that home and in my yard sparked  little brief memories of a single moment of a former life. I tried to share these moments with my kids, showing them the locations of forts, toys and hiding places.

Riding the train ride at the park with Grandma 

My parent's house was consumed by mess and noise constantly. Even after we left, my parents said they made a game of finding marbles all over the house.

After two weeks of daily extraordinary outings and WAY too much ice-cream, we bid farewell to Chicago.

 

Upon take off to Portland, the kids exclaimed in unison as we lifted off: "Good bye Chicago!" Caleb greeted every fellow passenger who passed his way, double checking they too were  indeed flying to Portland. James was glued to the window again, totally fixated on the miracle of flight. He then declared he was hungry and ate his cheeseburger we bought for the journey; then he told me he was tired, grabbed his stuffed bear, curled up on his seat and fell asleep peacefully until we landed.

THE Little Man knows how to travel!

Resuming our life in Portland was a sudden onslaught of  Evie's soccer practices, back to school socials and organizing life for the rigor of a school schedule.

Enjoying ice cream at big sis' school

She made me a soccer mom!

Labor day we took the kids to see waterfalls in the Gorge, which as we drove there, realized it was on fire. 
As the air became increasingly hazy and the sun a dim red orb in the sky, we questioned if we should be venturing this direction at all! 

We arrived at the first waterfall to a parking lot packed with tourists, all a little concerned over the ashy atmosphere. We hiked the short way to Latourell falls and the kids were absolutely amazed by the power and beauty of the water. 

Our second stop was to the popular Multnomah Falls. We hiked to the bridge. Little did we know a few hours later the whole highway to these waterfalls would be closed as the fire consumed the area and threatened to destroy Multnomah falls entirely!

Our third stop before heading home was Dairy Queen. What better way to end the summer than with a chocolate dipped ice cream cone. 

On the morning of Wednesday September 6, I walked into Evie's dark bedroom at 7:00 am. I gently rubbed her shoulders. Without opening her eyes and seemingly still asleep, she simply reached down and grabbed my hand, holding it tightly.

Excited and nervous, John and I drove our little Kindergardener to West Hills Christian, the place she will, Lord Willing, spend her next nine years.

I haven't really been back to West Hills since I stopped teaching there seven years ago. Walking those hallways and running into old co-workers warmed my heart, and I have such a peace that we are in the right place for our family.
The students were not allowed to line up outside before school as they normally would at drop off because of the air quality from the forest fires. So, we entered a noisy, crowded gymnasium and it was completely overwhelming to Evie. She suddenly started crying and hugging me tightly.
This reaction was a complete shock, as I thought she could have gone to  kindergarten last year!
Her sweet teacher calmly walked over and offered her hand and the front of the line, which of course made Evie better.

Being a former teacher at this school, it was strange going to parent night. This is the night I dreaded every year as a young teacher. I was so intimidated by making small talk with parents so much older than me! 

Parent night this time was wonderful. We heard from our the new principal and Evie's teacher explained her curriculum. Writing! Reading! Computers! I love it all! I love school!

And, I'm an official "Room Mom." I'm not quite sure what that means, but I was approached and I accepted the job. Let the adventure begin! 😃😃😃😃😃😃

The boys started their 3 year old preschool which meets on Mon, Wed and Fri mornings! It feels good be back at such a wonderful place.

They couldn't be more exited! They have the same teacher Evie had when she was three. The teacher remembers them as babies when I'd bring one with me as I dropped her off. 

Super excited to be back at BCP!

                                    

Overall, the summer was the best one yet with the kids. I am finally recognizing how much life moves forward and that things do change.

I love these kids. 
Sometimes I look at them and I just can't believe they are my kids.
 They drive me absolutely crazy.
But I feel honored that I get to raise them and love them each day.

And time is passing.