Princess

Costume Components

Overheard

"Pill bugs are kinda hard to keep as pets."

Zoe corralled two of the little guys, and was coaching her brother on how to gently pet them with one finger. "They're fragile."

Thankfully, she seemed prepared for the possibility they might choose to leave the lovely accommodations she prepared for them. "We'll set it down and see if they're still here tomorrow."

Moonstone Beach

Jack'o'lantern

Pumpkin Patch Reprise, With Pat!

Cowboy

Pumpkins

Last photo by Zoe. Like my salad dressing vas? Hee.

Warren Creek Farm

Tramp through the corn maze, then sit down for a short lesson on pollination.

Then pick a pumpkin! Vincent chose his immediately, and remained true.

The kids didn't really want to pose for a photo. Busy checking out the pumpkins!

Zoe finally settled on a 'Winter Luxury' that seemed just the right size and shape. Also, it didn't have dirt on it.

We stopped to admire a pile of squash that included all the kinds grown on the farm. Zoe was tempted by a tiny 'Baby Boo,' snuggling it close, but she decided to stick with the more traditional round orange one.

At home, trying on pumpkin hats. Vincent's little guy has been tumbled and tossed and rolled and is covered in scratches and divots.

We all had a great time on the pumpkin patch preschool field trip, and are planning another trip back with just family.

Hugs And Pumpkins Are Good

Zoe occasionally invites Vincent to sit on her lap, though she notes that she can't see much when he does. Both kids are super snotty, and Zoe told me this morning it felt like someone was holding onto her head very tight. Poor girl.

Still, the snots don't slow down these children or their peers, who are also mostly snotty. Good thing, because all of them and their hankies are going to the pumpkin patch this morning. It's an event not to be missed!

David gets to go, too. I wish I could marshall my thoughts and write articulately about the government shutdown, but I can't seem to do that. In short, our family is one of the 800,000 affected by the mandatory furloughs. Furlough - such a delicate way of saying "No paycheck for you, buddy!"

Happily, we do not manage our household budget in the same way our nation's budget is handled, so we'll be able to ride this out. You know, as long as the debt ceiling crisis doesn't send the entire world into an economic tailspin. In the short term, we do worry about some of our friends and coworkers who live closer to the edge of financial security, or who rely on programs such as WIC to feed their children.

Gah.

Okay, now headed to the pumpkin patch to forget the worries of the larger world. Be well, all.