Ready for Fall

We celebrated the beginning of fall with a trip to the splash park. As much as I am ready for the cooler temperatures and all of the fun that happens in autumn, we are taking full advantage of the warmer weather while we can.

Proof that Sophia was with us...she was having so much fun running around and playing, that she is just a blur in most of the photos I took.

 Before leaving the park, Emma showed us how brave she was by climbing to the top of the castle.

Sunflower Festival

Last month I was so excited to head to the Sunflower Festival at Gorman Farm, but things did not go as I had planned. Sophia didn't want to wear the outfit I wanted her to wear. I was hoping for pictures with the girls, but rain left the ground muddy (although the weather was beautiful the day we visited). It was crowded and part of the lure of the sunflower festival is picking your own sunflowers, so the majority of the 'photo worthy' sunflowers had already been snatched up. 

However, if you eliminate my expectations of what our visit would be like, we enjoyed ourselves. The children's garden had lots of opportunities for Sophia to explore. The farm animals were out and Sophia enjoyed getting up close and personal with them. Sophia took a mini pony ride. Pumpkin chucking was also a highlight.

Next year I will be visiting the farm the week before the festival to get some pictures with the sunflowers...and again during the festival to enjoy all of the other activities offered.

Visit to Gorman Farm October 4

Weekend Happenings

We had no plans for this weekend and it was glorious. The temperature dropped and it actually felt like fall.

I asked Sophia what she wanted to do on Saturday and her response was "Wear my doggy dress and walk across the shark bridge." Done. (I am not sure why she thinks this is a doggy dress...maybe cheetah print looks like dalmation spots to her.)

We have never been to the aquarium on the weekend and we will never go again. Way too crowded and impossible to see anything in the tanks. Sophia did enjoy touching the starfish, horseshoe crabs, and sea anemones. We watched scuba divers and clean tanks and then she got to walk across the shark bridge. I would have gone with her, but everyone who crosses has to be able to walk independently, and they won't let you carry or wear a baby across. Fortunately, Sophia has crossed a few times with Dave and has no fear, so I knew she would be fine on her own.

Stepping off the shark bridge.

The rest of our day was pretty low-key. We baked a gluten free version of smitten kitchen's pumpkin muffins, played in the leaves, and hung out at home.

love this shot by the three year old

Dave was off on Sunday and we crossed some things off of our to-do list. Luckily his football team didn't play until the evening game so plenty of time to get things done. The highlights of the day were when I had a mini vacation at the grocery store without kids and even found time for a nap. Dinner was successful too. After numerous failed attempts, and with assistance from the chef, I finally made a pork loin that did not dry out.

Maybe we will get around to bagging up some of the leaves this week.

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!
Linking up with April, Christina, Darci, & Natasha for another Five on Friday!

one

I am so thankful for the warmer fall days that we have had recently. I am not a huge fan of cold weather so I will take all the warm days we can get (even though I know they are numbered).

two

I always procrastinate when it comes to sending out holiday cards, but unlike last year when my cards arrived late, I am determined to send them out on time this year.

I placed an order with Shutterfly and they gave me a promo code for ten free cards if I share with a friend.

via

{You have to be new to Shutterfly to qualify.

Good through November 26, 2014.

I am eligible to get free prints if you use the link.}

Click here to take advantage of this offer!

three

I bought my first pair of boots and they are not quite what I was looking for, but I love them. I had my heart set on riding boots, but could not find a pair that fit the way I wanted within the price range I wanted to spend. Just for fun I tried on a pair of BEARPAW boots and fell in love. I was also thrilled that amazon had them at a fraction of the price than I found in the store, I can't wait for them to arrive!

via

four

I have always been a breakfast person. Usually I eat cereal, but Baby Sunshine has requested baked goods in the morning. My new favorite fall breakfast (and dessert) is apple crisp.

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Recipe from Barefeet in the Kitchen

4 cups apples (thinly sliced)

1/3 cup butter, soft

2/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (I used Trader Joe's)

1/2 cup gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a small baking dish with butter. Spread the apples evenly in the pan. Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium sized bowl until crumbly. Sprinkle the topping over the apples and bake for about 30 minutes, until the apples are tender and the top is golden brown.

five

Please tell me I am not the only parent whose entire week has been turned upside down thanks to Daylight Savings Time. Baby Sunshine has me up early and hungry all day long. The toddler has given me a few rough spots every day. Thank goodness she still takes an afternoon nap so I can rally for the evening fun. Things are getting a little better, but I miss our version of normal!

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Leaf Love

Sophia has hit a point where she doesn't cooperate when I have the camera in my hands. Luckily she loves to run and play. I try to position myself so I can capture the perfect shot, which rarely happens, Having leaves all over on a warm day made for some fun pictures.

The best part was covering Baby Sunshine in leaves. She was quite pleased with herself.

Thrilled to be linking up with Jess and Ashley.