October 10, 2009: Shaffner Farms Pumpkin Patch

Saturday, October 10, 2009

We figured we had better take advantage of the nice weather and venture out to the pumpkin patch before we were only faced with rainy weekends! We went to Shaffner Farms, just up the road in Montesano. The kids were SO excited ALL day to go. They couldn't stop talking about picking out a pumpkin!

We got there and were loaded up into a tractor-pulled hayride out to the patch. The kids both ran from pumpkin to pumpkin trying to pick out the perfect one. Allen based his decision on which ones he could pick up, which meant most of them were not options. Chris kept trying to talk him into various pumpkins, but he was bound and determined to pick one himself. And for Corrine, there were just too many to choose, she would have gone home with 5 or 6 if we had let her.

After finally picking our pumpkins, we rode back into the barn/farm stand where we washed and paid for our pumpkins and enjoyed some hot cider. They had turned the hayloft of the barn into a hay maze for the kids. Allen was a little scared of the entrance tunnel, so Chris got down and worm wiggled through the tunnel, Allen was quick to follow. The kids wandered through the maze several times. Outside there was an old tractor the kids could climb on and a hay "trampoline" (old mattresses that they had built a hay wall around and covered with hay). The kids had a blast playing and playing. Chris kept their family lab entertained by playing ball.

It was a great day. We ended up with two great looking pumpkins and lots of fun memories.

October 2-4, 2009: Children's Museum & Conference Weekend

Friday, October 2, 2009: Hands On Children's Museum, Olympia, WA

The first Friday of every month the Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia is open in the evenings for free. The last time we went, Corrine was probably about Allen's age and Allen had never been. So I decided to brave the crowds of other frugal families and take the kids.

They had a BLAST! They have a farmers market, a garden, delivery truck, store, house, doctor's office, ambulance, vet's office, treehouse, construction zone, craft area, dress up stage, play trains, etc.

After we saw everything, I let the kids pick where they wanted to go back to. Corrine wanted to play in the market and stores. At first she wanted to shop, but after a short time, she said "Mom, I think I'd rather work here." Then she went to work organizing and putting away everything that other kids were getting out, making sure the fruits & veggies were in the right bins, etc.

Allen wanted to drive the "bus" (delivery truck) and play in the garden. He replanted and watered the flowers over and over and over. At one time he had all 3 watering cans and wasn't too happy when we told him he had to let other kids do some watering too.

We were exhausted by the time we left, but had a GREAT night! :)


Saturday, October 2nd & Sunday, October 3rd: Conference Weekend Adventures

We were thrilled to have Mom & Dad Allen come stay the weekend with us to enjoy General Conference. They also brought us a few more "thrift store treasures". For those who don't know, my mom has become a Goodwill junkie. The Goodwill just down the road from their house has some GREAT items, usually for great prices. So when we need something, she keeps an eye out for us- we have aquired shelves, a headboard for our bed, a kitchen island, George Foreman grill, dishes, blender, rice cooker, kids picnic table and probably more things that I'm completely forgetting. This weekend they brought down a buffet (found for $15!) for our dining room.

They arrived Saturday night, Mom & I hung out with the kids while Dad & Chris went to Priesthood Session. Then of course we enjoyed ice cream and games late into the evening.

I woke up early the next morning to find that Mom & Dad were already hard at work restaining the buffet! So we all pitched in to help. The one downside was that it took FOREVER to dry! We literally sat around the next couple days "watching paint dry"! (And enjoying Conference of course). :)

But in the end- it turned out gorgeous! Here are the before pictures taken at the thrift store, the during pictures and the final after pictures once we had it back in place. Thanks mom & dad for the great find and for helping us make it look so good!