Pumpkin Patching 2010

Time for one of my favorite annual excursions with the kids:
The Pumpkin Patch!

Here is a boy who loves the pumpkin patch,
and has since he was teeny.
His sisters are fans as well.
Here are some ways to enjoy a pumpkin patch.

Pumpkins have a good weight and shape.
It feels nice to pick them up and hold them.
At our local patch, you can search around
until you find one that is just right --
rather like finding the right rock.

Pumpkins are good for working on balance.
Who needs fancy adaptive equipment!

Pumpkin patch dirt has an excellent texture,
especially after a rainy weekend.
It feels good to rub it all over your hands.

It feels less good -- on your ears -- 

when you put your dirt-loving hands in your mouth

and your mom shrieks "hands down!"
 (Keep holding on to your pumpkin, though.)

Pumpkin patch-goers live by their own code,
which does not require making nice for the camera, 

and allows for multi-sensory pumpkin interactions.

Jumping off hay bale pyramids is not mandated, 

plus it may lead to exhilaration
as well as post-jump displays of bravado.

If you are a child who excels at lining up and following other kids, 

especially in activities that require neither physical nor verbal interaction,

and you are nimble and fearless,
hay-bale-pyramid jumping is highly encouraged. 

Please repeat as many times as you like, 

or for as long as you can tolerate your mother's mother-henning.

Nothing beats an afternoon at the pumpkin patch*.

*I recommend click-zooming in on this pic. It's pretty cool.