Everyone headed straight for the slide, first thing.  I stayed below to capture the festivites on “film” and Honey took the three kiddos up to the top.

Next up was our brave little KB. . .

then our studlet, Bubba. . .

and then Honey, realizing there was only one way down, grabbed a sack and went for it.

There was a mini obstacle course,

swings (powered by Honey),

and another slide with a ladder right in the haystacks:

This pumpkin patch is super fun.  We had never been here before and there was so much to see and do; like this crazy animal made of pumpkins:

Look at these cute kiddos just sitting there holding pumpkins and waiting for their photo to be taken.  They lasted 1.5 minutes like this and were off running once again.

Where did they run off to? The zip lines, of course.  Here they are.  It looks like they are waiting patiently but, I’ll tell you what, they were itching to swing on those ropes.

 One of favorite litte bits of the day was measuring Little at the “How Tall This Fall” sign.  We measured her at the sister patch by our seminary apartment when she was just eight months old.  See how much she’s grown:

There was a “hay” ride we should have skipped and a pirate ship to crawl up down and around in.  It was a super fun afternoon.  We rapped up the day at Sonic and had Happy Hour slushies all around.  A great way to cool down on a hot Autumn afternoon. 

Seven days without a post.  Wow.  I didn’t go back to check and see if I’ve ever done that before, but it feels like first.  Not only have I not been writing, I haven’t been reading either.  My blog reader had 296 posts when I came upstairs tonight.  Everybody has holiday ideas to share and Halloween photos. . .

You are wondering where mine are, aren’t you? Well, you’ll have to wait a couple days.  For publishing sake, I am going to continue to go chronologically as I play catch-up.  Keep coming back – the Halloween photos are worth the wait and KB’s birthday party was precious.

I know an explanation is not expected (in regard to my long absence) but I feel I must let you in on details.  Our life is so much like a sitcom at times.  One of those plots that makes you so uncomfortable with the “tragedy” of it all, that you have to laugh.

SO, I got my double ear infection diagnosis and the next morning Honey woke up with fever and a sore throat.  He went to the doctor and tested positive for strep.  KB came home from Toddler Time that same day and within the hour felt a bit warm herself.  I took her temperature, called the doctor, and a couple hours later she tested positive for strep.  Then my mom arrived.  Then Little felt a bit warm so I took her and Bubba to get swabbed and she was. . .fine . . . but Bubba had strep.  There are a LOT of antibiotics floating around this house. 

Basically, I have had my hands full with sick kids, cleaning out with mom, and party fun.  But I am glad to be back.  My fingers miss the typing and my heart misses the writing.

So, I’ll post a little something in the morning and we’ll go from there.  Hopefully I can keep up and another deluge of sickness won’t pull me under.

Helen – could you email me your personal email address so I can ask you a couple questions about your last comment? I am itching to know who you know in Marietta and when you will be in the States.

October is so full.  Seriously – people talk about December being a busy month, but I think October is really full.  So, I am behind posting photos for family and “fans” *wink*.  I told you it would be a bit before I’m really back,  but I thought I would pop in for a photo:

and a couple fun . . . facts? Whatever. . .

1.  I have a double ear infection.  Three year old birthdays are not so fun when one is in that kind of pain.  I’d rather have another c-section that a double ear infection.  I am officially a pansy.

2.  My children sang a round of “Little is a wacko yes she is, yes she is.  Little is a wacko yes she is, yes she is.  Little is a wacko.  Little is a wacko.  Little is a wacko yes she is.” at Chick-fil-a tonight.  They did a verse for Bubs and KB too.  Equal opportunity mockers.

3.  We had a terrible storm last night – really strong winds.  Our neighbor lost two pear trees.  As we drove out of the driveway this morning, I slowed down so Bubba and KB could see the broken tree, this conversations ensued:

Bubba – “Mommy, will you fix it?”
Mommy – “I wish I could, Bubs.  Trees can’t be fixed once they break like that.”
KB – “What about God?”
Mommy – “Well, KB, God is the only one who could fix that tree, but He doesn’t really do that kind of thing very often.”
Bubba – “God could fix it.  He would need sticky tape.”

4.  I took KB to MMO on Friday and there was no MMO on Friday.  That didn’t make it to my calendar somehow.  What good IS a calendar if one is not going to use it?

5.  Bubba had a minor concussion yesterday.  A fall on the playground led to a nice round of throwing up and a visit to the doctor.  He had a headache for most of the afternoon but he is fine now.

6.  Honey started his second class this week.  They changed the class time to Tuesday nights instead of Wednesday nights.  I feel safe saying a man did that.

7.  My mom is coming Thursday. 

8.  I need to dye a leotard and tights yellow for Little’s Halloween costume.  I am paralyzed by fear.  What is THAT about?

9.  One of my best friends in college lost his dad today.  I am so very sad for him. 

10.  KB turned three on Sunday and today (yes, TUESDAY) she asked me “Why??” 15+ times.  That girls has a great sense of timing, eh? I actually laughed out loud after one long spout of “why?”s.  Game on, chica.