Another Day At Ellms

Today was our last trip to Ellm's for the season.  Even though I've been feeling a little Ellm's-ed-Out, I am so glad we went because today was definitely the best of the season.

It started out rainy and miserable, but as soon as we pulled into the parking lot the sun was shining and the sky was blue.  It warmed up quickly, and soon we wished we were wearing t-shirts.

Since it's a weekday, Ellm's doesn't open to the public until 10 and even though there were field trips, most didn't arrive until 10:30 or 11, so for a couple hours it felt like we had the whole farm to ourselves.  No lines for anything and the kids could do whatever they wanted.

Starting with a few (or ten) trips down the zip line:

Some roller coasters, animals and jumping:

The jumping pillow all to ourselves:

A Moo-Moo-Choo-Choo ride:

And then as we were walking back up the hill from the moo-moo-choo-choo, the skies opened up and for the next hour we huddled in a barn eating cider and donuts and watching the rain pour down in sheets.  By the time it cleared, MiniM.E. had had enough for the day and we headed home.  Even with the rain, it was a fantastic day.  See you next year Ellm's!

Fleece Pajamas

Enough said:

Pre-Halloween Trick-or-Treating

Yesterday we excitedly dressed up the kids to go trick-or-treating at the Skidmore College Campus. Students in the apartment housing were giving out candy to hundreds of children affiliated with the school.  

And what kid doesn't love an extra chance to dress up and trick-or-treat?? And what parent doesn't love to see their kids dressing up, having a great time and getting lots and lots of candy that they beg to eat as soon as the sun comes up every day for the next three weeks? Well, maybe that last part isn't my favorite.  And I have a child that somehow memorizes the number and type of candy received so that I can't even steal pieces when she's not looking share.  All worth it for how excited she was.  LittleL.G. wasn't excited at all, likely because she had to wear a ridiculous dalmation hat, but she was a trooper- stayed in her truck the whole time, waved at people, and happily munched peanut butter crackers.

It was a great evening.  To be honest, I'm not sure actual trick-or-treating on Halloween can top this. At least MiniM.E. is excited to try!

Bye-Bye Baby, Hello Toddler

It's finally happened.  LittleL.G. isn't a baby anymore.  Over the weekend she decided to start walking (more than a few steps at a time).  While she still prefers a hand to hold, especially over unfamiliar terrain, she now always attempts to walk before she resorts to crawling.

I really shouldn't say finally, because though it is exciting that she can walk I am really enjoying the more relaxed parenting of a second child and I would have happily kept her a "baby" a little longer.

She is a master of standing on her own (and is so proud to do it) and it is adorable to see how excited she is with her newfound skill.

Playing Outside

On days like we had yesterday, it's hard to believe that in just a few short months (and hopefully no less) it will be too cold to play outside for more than an hour or so at a time (and even if it is not too cold, unlikely that we will last outside for longer than an hour).  

On days like today, it definitely seems a lot closer as we bundle up with hats and mittens and the wind drives the cold into fleece lined sweatshirts and we try not to play in the shade.

Regardless, since there is no snow and it isn't freezing YET, we are going to try to spend as much time as possible outside as long as we can.  It's going to be a long winter indoors!

Ellms Field Trip

Yesterday was MiniM.E.'s field trip to Ellm's Farm with school.  Just like last year, it was a cold, rainy day.  As we were driving separately (this year no one rode the bus), MiniM.E. informed me that she didn't want to go to Ellm's with school.  Even though it is one of her favorite places.  We arrived in the cold drizzle of the morning and between trying to get two kids' winter attire on, wrap the baby and remember important things from the car like the probably necessary snacks, drinks, and dry gloves we were the second to last family to arrive.  Not my usual pecking order.  But no matter.  

MiniM.E.'s teacher did a great job getting the kids excited to be there despite the weather and as the drizzle subsided and it warmed up a little, we all had some good soggy fun. We picked pumpkins from the pumpkin patch:

Rode on the hayride, pulled by a tractor with GIANT wheels:

Saw some animals:

And did the corn maze and the zip line.  It was a pretty short field trip, but we stayed after for a while to do the jumping pillow and the zip line a few more times.  We even met up with a friend on a field trip from her school!  It was all going well until MiniM.E. slid off the jumping pillow because her socks were wet and hurt herself, claiming she couldn't even walk anymore.  As much as I would have liked to carry her, my smartly chosen bag that fit a water bottle, snack and extra diaper left me carrying three jackets, two hats, five sets of mittens, and two pumpkins (one that was the biggest in the patch!).  Definitely no room for a 35lb. 4 year old.  The injury turned out to be less intense than I thought when MiniM.E. insisted she was okay for a few more times on the zip line and she was also able to make it back to the car (not without whining and dragging and clawing and hanging the whole way there).  I didn't think it would ever happen, but I think I am just about ready to be done with Ellms for the season!

More Ballet, Walking Practice and Playground

Yesterday MiniM.E. had ballet after a week off because of Columbus day.  Like anytime we have a break from something a little stressful (usually involving not being with Mommy), MiniM.E. was not overly thrilled about going even though she almost cried last week when we didn't have it.

But even though she was anxious as we arrived, she bounced into the room with the other girls and had a great time.  With LittleL.G. to entertain while we wait in the hall its tricky getting photos without a baby banging on the door distracting the dancers, but they were too cute not to watch for a little while.

Back in the hallway while we were waiting, LittleL.G. was practicing her walking.  She's getting pretty good! (Ignore my ridiculous grin and clapping!!)

Today, we wanted to enjoy the nice weather and went back to the new playground in Milton with our friends.  LittleL.G. practiced some more walking and the big girls climbed and swung and went down the huge slides.