Oliver's Kindergarten Field Trip

Yesterday was Oliver's kindergarten field trip to Deanna Rose and Pumpkin Hollow.  We've been to Deanna Rose Farmstead a few times, and Oliver knew the first thing he wanted to do: the pedal tractors!  He's been riding these things for several years and his knees about hit the steering wheel now, but that doesn't make it any less fun!

 At one point, we had quite the kindergarten traffic jam with the tractors!

 He was assigned to be buddies on this field trip with his good friend Liam, and these boys had such a fun day together!

After the pedal tractors, we hit the big barn where Sally the cow was preparing to be milked.  Wow, could she put out a ton of milk!

The boys got to try their hand at milking a more cooperative cow.

Then the boys tried to pet every goat in the petting zoo as fast as possible.  It looked like a massive game of "Duck, Duck, Goat!"

Next, some fun on the playground with the diggers. . .

. . . and then we checked out some of the animals, like the koi fish. . .

. . . the buffalo. . .

. . . and Oliver's personal favorite, the red-tailed hawk.

Why was the hawk his favorite?  This picture is a clue.  (He remembered 'his' hawk from his preschool trip here.)

Next up, lunch!

Then we found our way to the horse-drawn hayride that would take us to Pumpkin Hollow.  These boys were so cute.  I just love this innocent stage when they are still comfortable holding hands with their friends.

The horses that took us on our hayride were so pretty.

They had some really cool haybale creations for us to see on our ride.

Getting closer. . .

We've made it!

So much to do in Pumpkin Hollow!

Oliver went down this slide every way you can imagine.

There was pumpkin bowling. . .

. . . and pumpkin hoops. . .

. . . and another cow to milk.

They got to ride on the Pumpkin Hollow Express. . .

. . . play in the corn box. . .

. . . and of course, pick out that perfect pumpkin!

After they had had all of the fun they could handle for one day, Oliver and the fearless Mrs. Unruh lead the pack back to the busses for the ride home.

It was a perfect fall day for a field trip, and we had so much fun!

While the Parents are Away, the Kids will Play!

As you might imagine, I was a little worried leaving the kids last week while Russ and I went on vacation.  Thankfully, we had free calling back to the U.S., so we were able to call at least once every day.  Russ and I tried not to get our feelings hurt as the kids never seemed too interested in talking with us, and instead were eager to continue whatever fun activity they were doing with their cousins and grandparents.  I guess that's good, right?  When we got back, the boys tried to pretend that they missed us, but I could see right through it.  While we were on vacation, I think the kids had just as much fun on their staycation!  Here's some proof. . .

Grandma took the boys to meet some friends at Lego Club on Wednesday at the Library. . .

The girls had fun getting spoiled by Grandma Jo. . .

Violet had a great day at therapy with Miss Erin and Grandma Cheryl. . .

And the culmination of their fun week was getting to go to Late Night on Friday night with Grandma Cheryl! Thankfully they got there early, as thousands of people were turned away!  Only the KU Jayhawks would have ~20,000 people show up to watch them practice.

This picture doesn't even begin to portray how HOT it was inside the fieldhouse.  I don't think they were planning on a nearly 90 degree day + a completely packed house and no air conditioning.  That Grandma Cheryl is a real trooper!

The boys and Grandma were sitting just above the big flag spread across the bleachers.

I didn't mention it in the previous post, but our vacation was actually "extended" by a day when our Friday night flight was cancelled after we had been sitting on the tarmac for an hour in Houston.  I was bummed, to say the least.  I had been doing pretty well as far as missing the kids, until the pilot delivered the news about the cancelled flight.  So I called Mom as they were leaving Late Night and asked if she could keep the kids for one more night as we attempted to re-book our flight.  We found a hotel for the night and ended up coming home Saturday afternoon.  My philosophy on Saturday morning as we were eating breakfast, "When life gives you lemons, make Texas-shaped waffles."  Only in Texas.

Of course, we brought back some fabulous souvenirs for the kids.  The boys each got a t-shirt and carved turtle.  (The back story is that the last time we went to Mexico, Calvin picked out a turtle and HAD to have it.  That turtle has since passed on, so we figured we'd bring home a replacement.)  These boys are so crazy; I asked them to take a nice picture and this is what I got.

For Violet, we found the perfect gift: this perfectly petite purple guitar.

 

And last, but not least, Miss Evelyn got this precious little silver bracelet with mother of pearl.  I just couldn't resist the tiny size and beautiful design.

 This bracelet goes with everything!  And nothing, as Evie is modeling here.

 For the record, we got a silver bracelet for Violet as well, in purple and a size larger.  She lost it the first night home.  I'm sure it will turn up eventually, and in the meantime, she can fit into Evelyn's still, so no harm done.