What a weekend!

Sarah practicing for "Band Stand Boogie"

The surprise we saw when we checked on the girls---that's a hair band over her eyes!

Dave with the scarecrow

Our silly crew!

Into the corn maize we go!

Yum, marshmallows!

Don't you just love the look of happiness!!

Try not to burn the marshmallows

So many pumpkins!

Cows, pigs, donkeys and horses--Oh My!


It's been a crazy but fun weekend. On Saturday morning we started out with a dance performance for Sarah at a local fall festival. Immediately after the performance we had to go to midtown Atlanta for her Nutcracker practice and photo shoot. By the time we arrived home it was after 5 PM.

But, the day wasn't yet over. We had planned to go to a local farm to ride the "haunted hayride" and walk through the corn-maize--all at night to make it more exciting. So, off we went to the country (about an hours drive).

We had a blast! When we arrived at the farm, at about 6:45, there was hardly a soul there. I had a sinking feeling that I had made a poor choice and the night would be a bust. With a smile I rounded up the kids and headed to the barn. When I purchased our tickets for the hayride I was told it would be an hour before the ride!!! It seems they had already sold out of the earlier rides!

So, we went and purchased a pumpkin (an overpriced one at that!), and roasted some marshmallows while we waited. For most of the kids, except Sarah, it was their first time roasting marshmallows. I had to do most of the roasting but the kids had no trouble eating them! Matthew had a blast setting his on fire and then eating the inside.

It finally started to get dark and we went to go through the maize with our "tiny" flashlights given to us. Funny Dave tried to scare the kids. I had all 3 girls hanging on me out of fear and Matthew asking every minute, "What was that", I had to put a stop to his antics! We made it through the maize even though the kids never thought we'd get there. It was fun, the corn was high and it was dark enough to make it spooky. Maybe next year Dave can shake the stalks and "boo" all he wants!

The kids were anxious to get on with the hay ride. When it was finally our turn we were told the story of 3 armed Sam and the woman with 2 heads. Our task, we were informed, was to bring back the head and the extra arm so we could give it the rightful owners. Off we went. It was so dark in the woods and the "toot fairy" (make a wish every time you fart) was hysterical, as was the pirate who told us to bring him back some treasure. There were some scary parts, when unexpected people would jump out from the trees but tempered by everyone on the ride trying to get the head from the young lady running around and sing-songing, "I know you want my head" and the candy and treasure being thrown onto the cart.

By the time the ride was over the kids (and adults) were laughing and enjoying themselves. Even sweet Analiese, who normally is fearful of the unknown, could not stop talking about how much fun she had. Hopefully the farm will do this again next year because we sure will go again (Yahoo Farm in Jasper).