Glorious Fall at Eagle Creek

We took a break from all the household chores that love to ensnare us on the weekend, and went on a fall hike.  You just have to put it on the calendar sometimes, like you would a doctor appointment, or it simply won't ever happen!  

This is the time of year I wish would last for at least six months but, alas, it's over all too quickly.  We are lucky to get three weeks of it!  So we try to savor what we can.

It was a three mile hike and so we had to bribe the kids with hot chocolate (mochas for the adults) and chewy ginger cookies.  It worked!  They made it!

Happy Autumn!

Meandering at the Zoo

One of the best things about getting a zoo pass is that you “have to” go so you get your money’s worth!  And you don’t have to see everything in one day, of course, because you’ll be back soon.

Yesterday we went to the zoo.  We had been studying really, really hard and I felt the kids deserved something fun in their life as a reward for all their hard work.  (I'm a Work Hard, Play Hard kind of person.)  We were out running an errand and decided at the last minute to go go the zoo.  

I let the kids each pick one thing to see.  We meandered lazily, spending a long time watching the flamingos stomp in the mud with their webbed feet and use their beaks to filter food they found in the mud.  It was actually very interesting to spend a chunk of time observing the flamingo.  This is the type of thing that never happens when you're in a hurry to "see it all."  

Fall at the Art Museum

The only problem with autumn is that it's over too quickly. Here in the eastern half of the United States, weeks are spent anticipating when the peak of color will happen. Then a week later, it's past. The trees are now bare, but I'm so glad for the beauty of fall and the times we took to take those drives and those walks, to enjoy all the splendid color. I'm a romantic at heart and I'm a sucker for fall in Indiana.

We often visit the grounds of the art museum in the spring to see the daffodils and tulips and flowering trees. This year we went when the trees were changing color, just before the peak of the fall season, and I'm so glad we did. Tuesday afternoon is always marked off on the calendar as "play time" with my kids. Some days we stay home and do something they enjoy, but usually we go someplace fun. I love that the Indianapolis Art Museum has such beautiful grounds, but admission is also free. After exploring the grounds, we looked at some art galleries (and I told the kids all five things I know about art, wishing their dad was with us, because he knows so much more than I do), and then the kids played indoors at the "Star Gallery" which is a hands on exibit for kids. What a fun day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bird Lady

When we were at the Indianapolis Zoo this summer and saw the interactive bird exhibit, we just knew we had to bring Granny there. Granny loves her bird feeders and has provided nourishment to many birds over the years, as well as lots of entertainment for all who chance to see the beautiful birds that come to take their meals in her backyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful fall day at the zoo!

 

Fall Frolick

Apple picking day means that we drive our mini-van up and down the hilly orchard alleys, looking for the most loaded Jonagold trees we can find, until we settle on the perfect spot.

 

 

Sampling the sweet, crunch fruit is definitely part of the experience.

 

What a fun day, made even better because there were cousins to share it with!

 

Baby Lillian seemed to enjoy the day too! ;-)

 

I love my crazy, adventure-loving girls.

 

 

Apple slushies and fighting off the wasps are part of the experience too!

 

The younger kids and I made it to the pumpkin patch twice this year. Here we are at a preschool program, with my mom's group. What's not to love about a hayride? (Oh, maybe itchy hay finding its way into your socks and other unmentionable places?)

 

And then the whole crew went last Saturday for our annual Pumpkin Day celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Clara's favorite part is the kettle corn. We all enjoy it, but she is CRAZY about kettle corn. I must say that sharing this treat, while listening to the live music and taking in all the visual beauty of the pumpkin patch with the people I love, makes for a great time. We often feel so busy. It's important to take these times as a family, to just relax and enjoy being together.