The girls, Ryan, and I had the opportunity to go to a local produce farm with some friends for a homeschool field trip. We had a great time. Or at least, we did until we got a little muddy going through the corn maze (Elise) :-/ We chose to change our attitudes and make the best of it though.

She absolutely loved the hay ride over to the corn maze



A confused Viviana with her favorite babysitter, Faith. Her family lives just around the corner and she is always so happy to hang out with my kids. Faith actually has a sister who sometimes helps us out, too, and the kids adore her as well. Her name is Naomi and I love that Viviana calls her "Kai-omi".



Corn maze! (Before she got muddy and a little grumpy)





"It's real corn!"



Ryan has been very, very hesitant to walk and we've been taking every chance we can to get him to make some effort :)



Ducky races!





Planting strawberry plants











Since Matthew was at school when the younger kids and I went to the produce farm, we took the kids to our usual patch on Saturday. Viviana was completely uncooperative with the camera, but Ryan was loving life. We opted not to put him in the stroller and forced him to hold our hands and walk through the pumpkin patch. I think he's slowly realizing that independence is not entirely bad.



The sun was too bright?

I really hoped that I would do a better job of updating, but seeing as I'm pretty sure that only a handful of people still check this on a somewhat regular basis, I really don't feel that guilty :-p

August wound up being A LOT busier than I anticipated. After the zoo, the only adventure I got to take my boy on was a day trip to Dallas where we had In-N-Out (glory, glory, HALLELUJAH!) and visited Dealey Plaza. Jason and Vanessa's wedding was beautiful and while we were so, so excited to be a part of it, we are happy to not be so busy anymore :)

Matthew started kindergarten at the end of August. His first 2 weeks did not go the way we anticipated. My poor guy had a really, really rough time. He's such a social boy that I was really thrown. He cried, had nightmares, clung to Mommy. It was rough. However, I am happy to report that things are much, much better now.







My dad was here for 4 weeks between Jason and Vanessa's wedding and Matthew's birthday. The kids loved it!



We celebrated Matthew turning 6 at Chuck E. Cheese's with our friends and some Lego Star Wars cupcakes! We had initally planned to have a pool party at Grammy's house, but in a moment of sheer genius Gilbert suggested Chuck E. Cheese's. The day after we booked the party the rain chance went up significantly. Then is proceeded to rain for most of his birthday. My husband is a genius, I tell you.





Matthew didn't want to get in the ticket blaster. Gilbert was more than happy to take his place :)



That's the quick catch up! Up next: pumpkin patching!

As part of my plan to take Matthew on a few outings, I renewed our zoo membership and took them to the zoo for a couple of hours this week. It was HOT, but well worth it because we got to see some Lego animals! Matthew is all about Legos right now and it's fun to see what his incredible imagination comes up with.

Happy to be at the zoo!





The sea lions are always a big hit with the kids



Lego gorilla!



My frog with Lego frogs







Matthew insisted that I needed to take a picture with the Lego penguins. I love my boy.









After making our way through the Lego exhibit we decided to pay some of our favorite spots a visit.

My Lion with the lions. This was actually the first animal that seemed to hold his attention. I found that amusing.



Trying to get a better view of the grizzly bears.



Elise loves taking pictures with this giraffe





Cooling off in the mist



Elise having fun in the gift shop



I'm glad we got to go for a little bit. The Lego exhibit is only there through Labor Day so I'm really happy my boy got to see it before it's gone. It's always a good time taking my zoo to the zoo.