Getting two kids to look at the camera is quite the challenge!
Just keeping Amelia upright is quite the challenge! She is all about the crawling right now!
Our littlest pumpkin!
She was a little frustrated because we had her all bundled up in a warm one piece jacket to keep her warm. She wasn't happy about the built in mittens that kept her from exploring (although I didn't mind because it kept more stuff out of her mouth).
She was a little frustrated because we had her all bundled up in a warm one piece jacket to keep her warm. She wasn't happy about the built in mittens that kept her from exploring (although I didn't mind because it kept more stuff out of her mouth).
The bib Amelia is wearing is the same one William wore here. I'm quite proud that I could actually locate it again.
Some fallish...gord? Squash? Vegetable items.
A family picture of a HUGE pile of HUGE pumpkins. Also, not the best picture of the family - you have to take what you can get with two uncooperative kids.
See? Grandma and Grandpa were here!
Amelia charming Grandma and Grandpa
The pumpkin patch had horse rides (for a price, of course) - Grandma, William and Amelia watched the horses together.
Grandma decided it was part of her spoiling grandchild duties to get William his very first horse ride. I wasn't sure how he would do...
He was very serious. Grandma got him to gently pet the horse's mane and pat its neck. We learned the horse's name was Sammy (Sammie? Sammi? my apologies Horse if I got it wrong). We're still hearing about the wonderful Sammy and the soft mane.
Taking it all in. I don't think he cracked a smile the whole time. He was too busy watching and taking in everything that was happening. Only later we found out how much he enjoyed himself based on the amount of time he spent talking about it. And talking about it. And talking about it.
A full action shot! How exciting! Do you see the speed? 
William checked out the giant pumpkins. Carefully, because just one of these big babies cost $55.
William is tired. Poor guy!
Amelia taking her turn with the pumpkins! They were huge!
The pumpkin patch also offered a tractor ride (also for a price). Grandma and Grandpa (in the name of spoiling), took William for a ride.
While William was on the tractor ride, we tried to get some cute pictures of Amelia next to the fall mums. But, a)the ground was wet, b) Amelia likes to crawl c) the mums were in a high traffic area, d)the sun was super bright conspired to get only this so-so shot above. Maybe I'll get motivated and try to get us out again another time. Or this will have to be it.
Instead, we got some cute pictures of Amelia and her daddy. I love the 'tude in this picture. I can almost hear the "Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad! Not in front of all these people!" and John is saying "I don't care how many people, baby girl..."
Yes, he is already wrapped tightly around that little finger...
And one with the Mama
After the tractor ride, William was motivated to brush up on his own tractor driving skills with this older model.After the pumpkin patch, we hit up Red Robin for lunch. Turns out it is Fire Safety Week, and Red Robin had several fire trucks parked in their lot for kids to climb on and learn about.
William was a little apprehensive about getting too close. They are really BIG in person! Grandma helped him get a free hat they were giving away.
Then we checked out the tires.
I wanted a picture of him by the truck with the hat on. He wasn't interested. He finally cooperated with the hat on backwards.
Checking out the inside. Again, it is hard to tell, but he is having a good time. He just really focuses and takes everything in (like his daddy?). It isn't until later when he talks about things you can figure out if it was something he enjoyed or not.
Also, he is tired and hungry. But still, having a good time!
Ready to be done. I think?
He wanted to wear the hat in the restrauant again. Backwards of course!
Our school district had a kids' day at the St Louis botanical garden in the new Children's Garden exhibit.
William enjoyed talking to a naturalist about water bugs for a long time (really!). I think he listened for roughly 20 minutes to what this woman had to say. It helped that he was really the only kiddo there, so he had some great one on one time.
Checking out the water bug from a safe distance
There were education programs and some fun stuff! Like this BIG slide! William is sliding near the top and John is catching at the bottom.
There was also this big climbing structure. I think William could have stayed here for another few hours. He is sorely missing out on park time this fall. The weather hasn't cooperated very well lately and it is too hard for me to take them myself (it is not safe!).
A
Also fun was this great big rope bridge. I thought William wasn't going to try it - he usually doesn't jump right in a try stuff. He likes to sit back, watch and decide whether it is something he wants to do.
So I was surprised to turn around and find this!
So
Sometimes a daddy makes you a little braver. You still need to check and see where the daddy is though!
After seeing that, I had to try it out myself!
Also fun was this great big rope bridge. I thought William wasn't going to try it - he usually doesn't jump right in a try stuff. He likes to sit back, watch and decide whether it is something he wants to do.
So I was surprised to turn around and find this!
So
Sometimes a daddy makes you a little braver. You still need to check and see where the daddy is though!
After seeing that, I had to try it out myself!
Miss Amelia tolerated the stroller pretty well. Thank goodness we had the tag team of Grandma and Grandpa with us to help push, chase and spot our kiddos!
Close up of Amelia bundled up in her stroller.After all that, we were TIRED! We all went home and hung out for the rest of the evening!
