An equestrian

A butterfly 

And Mary Poppins

The weather was rainy all day, but for two hours the rain stopped and these girls trick or treated with the neighborhood kids and had a great time.

They all came up with their own costume ideas this year!  Pretty proud of them for not only coming up with their own ideas, but sticking with their original idea.  Happy Halloween!

What Fall Festival to visit this October was the Saturday night question?  After scouring the internet for our options, we decided this was the year to head back to Cox’s Farm, after having last visited when Harper was two-months old.  It was a pricey admission fee at $20 per person so we were planning on spending much of the day there.

As we got closer to the farm via the one-way road, the traffic was at a standstill and it appeared as though we would be waiting an hour to at least just to get in the farm.  We made a U-turn and quickly came up with a new plan, which was to go to another nearby farm, Tichondria Farms, which I had also seen in my Saturday night research.  It wasn’t nearly as grandiose as Cox’s Farm, but it was close in proximity and sufficient, and not in high demand.  I attribute the low demand due to the sky-high prices (nearly the same as Cox’s).  Honestly it was ridiculously overpriced, but being so, small crowds and no lines.

We started out riding these tractors as a family.  Holy leg workout!  They were so fun to ride and I couldn’t stop laughing the whole time I was riding.

The pony ride was next.  Oh wait we skipped that….that was an extra $5 a ride…it wasn’t included in the $17.95 admission price.  On the way to the pony ride, we walked by a firepit for roasting marshmallows and making smores, also not included in the admission price!  The seesaw…that was included in the price and next!  Again, no lines…it was great and we had a fun time taking turns.

The jumping pillow was a welcome surprise.  The girls loved the jumping pillow from Great County Farms last year and were thrilled to see one at this farm.  Unlike Great Country Farms, adults were allowed on this pillow!

A walk through the Bamboo Maze.

Taking turns going down the slides.

We walked on the rope suspension bridge.  Followed by yoga on the hill.

With a view of goats.

Taking turns on the rope swing.

Waiting for the cow train ride.

The kids go on the cow train..

Meanwhile Justin and I had a few minutes together.

And last but not least, a hayride, which was 15 minutes and 15 minutes too long for the girls.  It was a nice touch but they were not terribly impressed. 

High prices = low crowds and a good time.

Happy happy heart!!!!

Routine.  When the girls were younger, we established routine with everything…all with the goal of creating good behaviors. Those routines become habits, which overall have served us well…i.e…limiting screen time and eating healthy.

Last night before bed, I was doing some planning for Saturday, which included needing to eat a very early lunch for us to accommodate back to back soccer games for which we needed to leave the house at noon.   With an early lunch, the last thing I wanted was to be in kitchen all morning making breakfast, then cleaning it up, only to repeat less than two hours later.   Justin was going to get the oil changed early in one of the cars in the morning….so Dunkin Donuts (being near the gas station) for breakfast seemed like the perfect idea

Harper was the first to see the donuts when she woke up and her excitement alone made it worth it.

Eight years later and our first Dunkin Donut morning!  I told that to the girls and then they reminded me while this was our first donut morning at home, they had for sure eaten their fair share of donuts at school, swim team, and with our au pairs.

Harper, are you sure about that?

As she was getting ready for school this Friday morning, Harper asked both Justin and I if we were working from home that day or in the office.  Both of us replied working from home.  After taking them to the bus stop, Justin and I both entered our offices to begin our workday.  She had left each of us one of these on our desks.

My Harper….my heart:)