PICKIN PUNKINS
Mark and I took Gracie to Schuh Farms - it has sort of become "our place". Every year we discuss trying somewhere new but inevitably we end up there... which is perfectly fine, since it's so much fun! Gracie had a blast this year and like always, there were a few 'Gracie moments'. Here's the one that topped the list for the day:
On the farm they have a small train pulled by a tractor for the little kiddos to ride on. We asked Gracie if she'd like to ride it and she looked at us and said, "Umm... choo-choo!" I think it was her way of saying "Do bears poop in the woods?!" We let her pick a car to ride in and then she waited patiently for the train to fill up with other passengers...
Just as the train was preparing to leave a little girl ran and hopped in beside Gracie. Gracie's eyes lit up! She absolutely LOVES making new friends!! We noticed Gracie eyeballing the little girl's babydoll and as the train pulled out Mark said, "I bet Gracie ends up holding that doll!" I said, "I think you're right." We then decided to walk behind the train (it was going like 5 mph.) As the train was rounding a field of pumpkins we decided to cut through the field and meet up with the train on the other side. As we were nearing the train I could see Gracie dangling the little girl's babydoll overboard - just a few feet from the ground which unfortunately was a nice batch of fresh mud. I looked at Mark and said, "Oh please Gracie - whatever you do, do not drop that doll!" and before I could finish my sentence she had dropped it!! Mark and I looked in horror as this poor little girl's doll was getting pushed deeper and deeper into the mud with each passing tire - thump! thump! thump! Six cars ran that doll over before Gracie was able to get the attention of the man driving the tractor. She was standing straight up in the car just hollering as loud as she could at him and pointing to the "victim" under tire #7.
Mark caught up to the stopped train and was able to retrieve the doll and brush it off. Gracie said "I'm sorry" - here's a photo of her right after it all happened -she's still in shock!
Mark and I apologetically recanted the story to the little girl's parents. About a half hour later Gracie wanted to ride the train again. She picked a car and lo and behold that same little girl came running up and sat right next to her again - she must have forgiven Gracie! We decided to sit the doll out during 'round two'.
JACK O LANTERNS
This year we decided to go "old school" and carve traditional faces in our pumpkins. Usually we have a contest with one another to see who can do the most intricate design but we just weren't 'feelin it' this year. We we're a little bummed that Gracie wanted nothing to do with the pumpkins - she just sat (from a distance) and watched us. Every time she came near us she would cover her nose and say "Yucky!" I think we had anticipated her loving it even more this year than she did last year - oh well... Parker had a great time! He kept eating the little scraps that "accidentally" hit the floor and by the end of the night he had probably eaten the equivalent of a small pumpkin! It sure did look like it the next morning when he left 4 large "harvest piles" in our backyard!
"MAKE A WISH!"
On October 24th we conspired with Mark's dad to surprise Mark's mom at the Olive Garden, in celebration of her birthday. We then went back to our house for cake and icecream. It's always nice when we get together with Lynn and Suzanne. Growing up I was able to spend a lot of time with my grandparents and I think it helped shape me into the person I am today. It is such a blessing that Gracie gets to experience this as well.
Gracie is one lucky little girl to have a grandma like Grandma Francis! Judging by the look on Gracie's face, I'd say she already knows this. :)
A PIRATE SAYS 'ARRRRGH'
Every Wednesday I take Gracie to our public Library where they have "story time" for 2&3 year olds. Also, every Halloween they host a "pirate party". They ask that every kid dress up like a pirate and then they read pirate stories, play games, and eat snacks. Gracie was a "pirate princess" this year for Halloween so it sure did make finding a costume for the party super easy!
(Gracie with her friend Gabe)
"A pirate?" you might be saying to yourselves... yes, a pirate. When we went shopping for halloween costumes Gracie's first pick was "Buzz Lightyear" - I said, "Really? Are you sure?" Gracie said, "Yes mom." I said, "How about we look around some more?" Gracie said, "Okay." and for the next 15 minutes I tried selling her on princesses, ladybugs, flowers, and fairies but she held tight to her Buzz Lightyear costume. Then out of nowhere she started singing "A pirate, a pirate, a pirate says arrgh!"(It's a song from one of the episodes on the 'Backyardigans'). I started singing with her and she said, "No mom. Stop singing. Look!" then she pointed to a 'pirate princess' costume. I grabbed her size and quickly exchanged it with "Buzz" - she was tickled pink and I was too - it was a win-win for the both of us. :)
HALLOWEENIE
This year we had my mom, her fance', his two kids and my little sister over on Halloween. Gracie waited all day to see her aunt Maddy and was eccstatic when they finally showed up! My sister dressed up as a pirate to match Gracie. As they walked out the front door my sister locked hands with gracie's and they never let go all night!
This year was Gracie's first time trick or treating (she was sick the last two years) and I think she really enjoyed herself! She had a continual smile on her face and her legs seemed to float from one house to the next. I wasn't sure how she would react to the "scary" houses and costumes but she was completely fearless!! That's my girl! :) Here's Gracie with my mom (Grandma Jack) upon returning home from trick or treating - look at those rosie cheeks!
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