pumpkin patch

We took Jack to the "Pumpkin Patch" the other day. Really, it's just the front yard of the neighborhood Catholic church, but I'm pretty sure he didn't know the difference.

The sign on the door explained that pumpkin prices were listed on sample pumpkins, and payment should be made by dropping money into the mail slot. It was totally the honor system. I mean, who is going to steal pumpkins from church, right?

Jack and Daddy picked out a really good big pumpkin, and I chose two smaller gourd things. One looks like a pumpkin with tiny goiters and the other is a green squash of some kind. I think we're planning on carving the big pumpkin with John's new Dremel tool bits. That should be manly fun.

Maybe next year we'll venture to a "real" pumpkin patch with hayrides and goats and apple cider. But for this year, low key and close-to-home was the way to go.

birthday

 I had such a lovely birthday today. The Boy slept until 9:30, which allowed me to wake up on my own and enjoy some coffee and quiet time before it was time to get him up. We took a little trip down to the local fabric store to get the rest of the fabric for the nursery. We had a nice late lunch and a long afternoon nap. John had a gorgeous bouquet of flowers delivered to our house. My parents brought over a pot roast, and my aunt and grandparents joined us for dinner and cake. And the Boy was extra super snuggly before bed.

It was a much needed day of love, and gratitude. A chance to slow down a bit and reflect on the things in my life that I'm truly grateful for -- the people and the things that make me happy. It's easy to forget about those things when you're in the middle of the fifth diaper change before lunch, or the tenth tantrum before breakfast. It was just lovely to love and be loved, and know that for today, that was enough.