Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 1 year and 42 weeks old!!! This week was all about fall. We tried to squeeze in as many fall activities as possible. Well...there were really only 2 fall activities but it seemed like that was all we did!

We went to the Wootten's on Friday morning for a little pumpkin...decorating??? We weren't brave enough to attempt carving pumpkins without fathers present. A 1:1 ratio is just not safe enough when you have 3 toddlers in one place. I am not even sure a 2:1 ratio would have been safe enough for that matter! So, we thought about painting the pumpkins but thought that might lead to a huge mess. We opted for put stickers on our pumpkins this year! Sounds good in theory. It is just that sweet Crosby...yeah...he's not much for crafts. Most of the kiddos in his class have art work in their boxes at the end of the day to be picked up by the parents. Crosby's box is always empty. And when he has chosen to participate in the given craft of the day, it is apparent he prefers the "less is more" approach. I will have to take a few pictures of his "crafts" to prove my point...

Any way, just as I expected, Crosby put about 4 stickers on 1 of his 2 pumpkins and I finished the rest. He was more interested in the trains and trucks! Don't let him fool you, just because he is sitting by a pumpkin doesn't mean he actually decorated that one...

His was the pumpkin to his left...

And unlike Margaret and John Christopher, he did not want the stickers on his skin...

Maybe he wasn't feeling it because I dressed him in nursery rhyme apparel as opposed to fall apparel...

I dressed him in seasonally appropriate clothing for our first trip of the season to Gentry's Farm. We practically got there when the gates opened. The sun was up and there were no clouds in sight! It was a beautiful day except for being a little too warm for a fall activity. We'll take the sunshine for sure!

We have recently learned that we should take pictures at the beginning of events rather than waiting until the end. The end is usually the result of meltdown and not suitable for photography! We took a few pictures while waiting on friends to arrive...

So they weren't looking, but they WERE sitting! That was a huge accomplishment...

Sitting on an old piece of farm equipment. Loved the farm equipment...

He was getting antsy as we continued to wait so we let him run free in the maze. It was the prefect height to see his little cotton top bobbing around all over the place...

This was the absolute highlight of his day. And it is what I used to bribe him into good behavior. Initially, that is. "If you are sweet they will let us ride the tractor..."
He was so excited to be on board that he wanted to take a self portrait. I was pretty impressed with his blind focusing skills!!!!

He was mesmerized by all he was seeing...

Taking it all in...

A slight break from the sun...

Loved this sign...

And how well our crew obeyed...

Or not so much!!! The tractor was a big hit for all. Crosby kept it together until we got off. Of course he wanted to go back and ride again. The line had doubled at that point and we had a lot left to do. Needless to say, this led to meltdown #1. Fortunately we were able to distract him will lots of animals. Goats, chickens, sheep. He thought they were pretty interesting...

He also loved the mini tractors...

But any time we changed the direction in which he was moving in, meltdown after meltdown occurred! Nice! He did not care that the Gentry's had ropes up to keep visitors from entering certain areas. I suppose he felt the rules did not apply to him! At least he composed himself for one decent family shot...

The group wandered into a barn that was full of activities for toddlers. He was not interested in visiting the barn initially. Then he found toy tractors in the back!!! Let me tell you he was ALL about the tractors. He found them so fun that he did not want to leave when the time came. As much as he denied fatigue, I have proof that he was tired...

I am fairly confident that we experienced our worst meltdown yet at Gentry's Farm! I have no pictures of that part. But believe me, it was pretty rough. Luckily, we were parked close to the entrance...

Despite the meltdowns, I say it was a good day. Blake, on the other hand, thought the trip to the farm was a complete bust. I am thinking that has something to do with the SUPER high expectations he has of our near 2 year old. I am thinking he is going to have to lower those a tad if he is going to make it through the next...ohhhh...1 and a half???? Yikes... Good thing I can just smile about it 95% of the time!! ;-)

Earlier tonight, I thought I would give it another try. I love the way the front door looks with all the fall decor. The only thing that could make it look better was my sweet toddler in the middle of it...

All I did was ask him once to sit for a picture and he DID!!! But of course I thought he looked a little awkward, trying to avoid putting his hands on the ground. And the focus wasn't great and the composition was off. So I pushed for just onnnnnnnnne more...

I think it was the outfit, right? Not "fall" enough? Maybe I can try again tomorrow...