A JAM-PACKED, FUN-FILLED FALL WEEKEND

I'm referring to two weekends ago because that's how long it has taken me to get this post together. Where does the time go? But what a weekend it was! It was filled with fun and I'm still exhausted from it. ;)

Friday was Mac's first field trip with his Kindergarten class. It was also Reid's first field trip with his Kiddie Kollege class. Both were to the pumpkin patch... DIFFERENT pumpkin patches of course. Reid's was to Clanton. Mac's was to Union Springs. Mac's has been in the works since the beginning of the year, and his teacher knew my going was a given. As much as I would like to clone myself and be in two places at one time, I had to tell Reid's teacher I couldn't make his. I asked if I should get someone else to go with him and they assured me he would be fine. The director said he could ride in her car along with his teacher, so he thought he was big stuff. There are only seven children in his class, so I knew they had enough hands. I still wanted to be there, though. :( Mrs. Rita was very sweet to keep me updated via text and picture messages throughout the day.

Making his "smash" cupcake

Nothing was going to take away from the fact that it was Mac's very first field trip since starting "big school." It was also his first ride on a school bus. 

I'm not sure which he was most excited about. 

After driving for what seemed like forty forevers, we finally arrived at Dream Field Farms. I cannot say enough great things about DFF. It was great. They operate like a well-oiled machine, so as soon as everyone got off the bus we were whisked away to the hay ride and pumpkin picking.

Mac & Mrs. Schweers

Then it was on to the animal farm.

Next stop was "shaking" cream into butter.

Where they had to sing, "Shake, shake, shake. Shake, shake, shake. Shake you're butter." :)

They all got a kick out of it. It took a lot of shaking, though, so most of them turned to their parents for help when their arms got tired. It made all us mommas keenly aware of the fact that we probably should do some arm-toning exercises. ha!

You can tell from Mac's face it doesn't look too appetizing. But some of them were lapping it up.

A short stop for a bite to eat and then it was on to one of Bueller's favorites:

It didn't stop there. We still had more fun to go.

Remember when I said he prefers hanging with the ladies??? Yeah.

Group shot

Other than it being a bit windy, it was a beautiful day for a trip to the pumpkin patch and was a sweet start to the weekend spent with my sweet Bueller.

I said START to the weekend because it had only just begun. As soon as our time at Dream Field Farms came to an end, it was a mad dash back to Wetumpka to hand Mac over to Chris so the two of them could get in line to pick up Grant from school. Then it was another mad dash to Clanton to pick up Reid. Their field trips always run LONG because Hazel is in her own world. Which I love (most of the time) because she puts so much into making things great fun for the kids. Think decorating cupcakes for dessert then letting them smash them into each other's faces. Yes, Hazel's a bit nutty. ha! But that's why we love her. I arrived in Clanton just as they were finishing up. He was covered in dirt from head to toe and his hair was sticky and stiff from the cupcake smashing so I think it's safe to say he had a great time.

That wasn't the end of our day either. After picking up Turbo, we made our way north to Decatur to watch Bethany cheer in Decatur's homecoming game. Most of her games are during the week, so I haven't gotten to see any of them. Football games are one of her favorite things about being a cheerleader. I was a happy momma watching my baby girl do her thing.

After the game we stuffed our faces and ingested a little caffeine in hopes of catching a second wind for the 3 hour trip home. Reid slept most of the way and B was very sweet to stay awake the entire way, talking and playing DJ, while I tried my best to safely get us home. Although I will admit the last 45 minutes I probably shouldn't have been driving. I swear my eyes were crossing. We finally pulled  into the driveway around 1 a.m. which is so past my bedtime it's dangerous. 

It was a great, great day - crazy busy - but great nonetheless. 

We managed to get a few hours of sleep before we were up and at 'em again Saturday. There's nothing to get you going like a trip to the Central Alabama Fair, especially on a beautiful day. We live about 25 minutes from the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery, but there's just something about the Central AL Fair that makes it worth the drive to Selma. Maybe it's that I grew up going to that fair. Maybe it's seeing friends I only see at the fair. Maybe it's the cozy dogs. These aren't your typical fair cozy dogs. These are special. And they're just as wonderful as I remember. I think I ate 3. And now I must add to that list fried oreos. 

Have you ever? If you haven't you must. They're oreos. Breaded in pancake batter. Deep fried. Covered in powdered sugar. Who cares that they're terrible for you! Oh my goodness for the deliciousness there are just no words. No words. 

I think most of all I love that I can share with my children something I always enjoyed and looked forward to when I was growing up. They've come to love the "Selma Fair" as they call it, and all four prefer it over the "big fair." 

Our first stop was RaRa's house where the Halloween Fairy had visited and left lots of happies. Poor GaGa and Mags. I'm so sorry, girls, that y'all don't have a RaRa. AA really needs to step up her game. Martha, you're making me look bad.

Then it was on to the fair.

Grant was FINALLY tall enough to ride the "big rides." He and Claire are on this one.

I wish I had gotten a picture of him on the turtle cages. Claire broke him in on that one and didn't give him a choice in the matter. HA! I think after he rode that he decided he could do it all. 

Professor, Sissy and Claire

Am I the only one who thinks it's a bit unsettling to put your children on rides where the people who put them together don't even take care of their teeth??? Scaaaarrry. 

Sissy rode about three rides. Cozy dogs + fried oreos + fair rides do not = a happy stomach. All the more reason to sit and enjoy watching the Tiny and Little Miss pageants.

Reid had no interest in the big rides and poor Mackey just wasn't tall enough

Truth be told I think Mac may have been a bit relieved he wasn't yet tall enough for the bigger rides. ;) It's crazy how Grant is so serious but is the little thrill seeker, and Mac is so rough and tumble but is fearful of these type things. :)

After the rides, a few games, the winning of a couple of goldfish (which may or may not still be alive in Granddaddy's aquarium), and a couple more cozy dogs on the way out, our fair day came to a close. We already decided next year is a must.

On Sunday... well, on Sunday we did absolutely nothing. And it was fabulous.