Pumpkin Patch Picnic

We have a yearly tradition of gathering our Mommy group friends together for a picnic in the pumpkin patch every October. This was our 3rd annual pumpkin patch picnic. I made pb&j's and cut them into pumpkin shapes for the occasion. Cute and delicious (if you like peanut butter). Last year I was only up to bringing fruit snacks so I felt really good about my sandwiches. I can't believe they're all 3! We met when we still gave these kids ages in weeks and now...well they're growing up.

I think traditions are important. Many of my fondest childhood memories are centered around our annual adventures and goings on. When I met these ladies and their then very tiny babies we saw each other once a week at least. Usually more frequently since everyone was still "home with the baby." As they've got older we still all keep in touch, but it's harder now that the kids have busy schedules as well as the moms. This is the event every year where all the kids are together at the same time. It's a wonderful and simple little event.

This year was really special for me just as a benchmark in my healing process. I shopped in the morning, then made sandwiches and then successfully enjoyed the picnic. It was a vast improvement from last year. Don't get me wrong at the end of the day I was feeling it, but it is progress. I just love my friends so much and being around their kids makes me happy. They really are a sweet, smart little bunch. I hope they stay in touch when they're too old for pumpkin patch picnics.

We even learned a song this year. We happened to be there on a day when classes were visiting and in between groups the nice lady came over and taught us "I'm A Little Pumpkin." It goes like this:
I'm a little pumpkin (point to yourself)
Look at me (point to your eyes)
I am as happy as can be! (smile big and sway with your elbows bent and hands bent at the wrist facing up)
Put a candle in me (hold an imaginary candle)
Light my light (light your imaginary candle)
But don't be afraid on Halloween night (shake your finger)

Boo!

At that point the audience says "AAAAAHHHH!" and everyone claps. It's great fun. They had sandwiches, cheese, fruit, crackers and then cupcakes in cones. They explored and even measured pumpkins. They gave each other wagon rides and sang. It was an amazing time. It was totally worth a late nap. Until next year, pumpkin patch.