Pumpkin Time!

This past weekend we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.  We visited the same farm as last year--Sharpe's at Waterford Farm, and it was perfect.  Just a simple, sweet, pumpkin farm.  We fed the animals, took a tractor ride out to the patch, and checked out lots of pumpkins.  After the farm we headed to a nearby park and had a wonderful picnic.  We were in the company of our good friends the Ambalu and Gratz families, which made the whole day that much more enjoyable.

On our drive out to the farm we drove through lots of "tree tunnels" as Hersh likes to call them.  The leaves are changing, and the scenery all around us is truly picturesque.  Hersh is quick to notice the different colors, and often reminds us the leaves are changing because it is fall.  He has let us know that in the winter he wants to go ice skating.  Also, he has a book called "Snow Day Dance" which has him looking forward to come snow, which I can do without!

Hersh has also been very into the book, "Five Nice Mice."  This book is about a group of mice that stumble upon a Frog Concert, and feel inspired to start their own band.  "Over the Moon" is the song the frogs sing, and Hersh has taken to singing this song as well.  When he sings it is with passion and delight:

"Gleaming beams of silver carry our tune,
Farther and farther up over the moon.

The melody was lovely, a voice behind them boomed.  Can't you read the sign? FROGS ONLY!  So they left."

Feeding the baby goat.

Taking in the scenery.

Hersh and Simon discussing the pumpkins.

Farm foliage.

Hersh with Danny and Jonah.

Family in the patch.

Beach Weekend!

This past weekend we headed to the beach!  And, as with any weekend spent at the beach, it was amazing! We rented a condo right on the beach, which meant that we could cook our meals and then head out to explore and enjoy the ocean and sand without any hassle.  We drove down on Friday afternoon, which was a bit painful as Hersh was not keen on napping in the car like we had planned.  On Saturday we woke up, walked to get coffee, and then headed to Assateague Island.  The water was beautiful, the sand was warm, the sun was shining, we saw wild horses and amazing birds.  There were other people out, but we had plenty of space to relax and enjoy.  On Sunday it was rainy, but we did not let that faze us.  We headed back to Assateague, explored the marshes, and the beach.  Although rainy, it wasn't too cold, and we were just so happy to be outside, and be so close to the freedom of the ocean.  Jacob and I definitely feel like this weekend was exactly what we needed.  So many times before we have escaped to the ocean, and it is so nice to know that we can do that here :)

Hersh had a great time as well.  He is so easy going and enjoys whatever life brings him.  A highlight for him was at the marsh we saw a white seagull catch a crab.  A brown seagull proceeded to follow the white seagull around and caw at him, which Hersh has determined sounded like, "please."  He now keeps talking about how the brown seagull said "please, please, please" to the white seagull because he wanted some crab.  Hersh was also fascinated by the park rangers who greeted us each time we entered the park.  He liked the wild horses and rolling around in the sand.  He has also started to write the letter "H," which he did in the sand and later with three pieces of shredded cheese.

Love.

Sunrise view.

Wild Horse.

Shells.

Digging!

Ta Da!

Discussing the marsh.

Snail.

Cozy.

Heading to the wild water.

Family!

Horseshoe crab shells.

Handprint.

"H"