some do’s and dont’s on pumpkining with toddlers

DO go with some of your very favorite people.  Ashley and Nathan invited us!  DO go in the same car….much more fun to be had by all that way.  DON’T get lost on your way there, cross the Mississippi River three times on two different freeways, leaving and entering Illinois twice like a confused immigrant, or take an hour and 45 minutes to do a 35 minute drive.  (However if you do find yourself in this situation, DO call you husband, who is at home and make him look it up on the internet and tell you exactly where you are and what you must do to get back on track)

Once you’re at the farm, DO shake off all that driving and charge right into the festivities by feeding the fuzzy cows and goats some carrots.   DON’T be scared, it only tickles! DO try driving the tractor.  It will make your day.  Really.  You won’t stop talking about it all day!Then, DO ride in the hay wagon to the apple orchard.  It is bumpy and fun! To pick apples, DO grab the apple tightly and pull with all your might.   When the apple finally comes off the branch, DON’T fall over! DO try a bite out of every apple you pick.  Otherwise how will you know if it is a good one or not?  DO make sure you get enough to make a pie when you get home! “Yep, this is a good one!”While in the orchard, DO run and see how far you get before Mama notices you have left her side!  Nathan concurs, DO eat apples while you’re in the orchard.  They are juicy and crunchy and every so sweet.  You won’t regret it! After apple picking head on over to the pumpkin patch. While you are there, DO give your friends some hugs, but DON’T knock them over in the dirt while doing so.  It has a different effect when that happens!If you accidentally knock your friend over, find him a seat where he can rest a bit, and show him how to sit down. He will be feeling better in no time at all!After you discover that you can sit on pumpkins, DO sit on every pumpkin you can find.  I realize this may take a while in a large field of pumpkins, but it is important.  Remember, determination and hard work make any task achievable, but  DON’T sit on a rotten pumpkin!    DO try to find just the right pumpkin.  Not too small...Not too heavy….  Just right!!!To complete the outing in a pleasing way for everyone, DO fall asleep the minute you get into your car seat, and continue to sleep on the 30 minute drive home.  Continue peacefully sleeping while your mom searches frantically for her car keys, finds them under your seat, transfers your car seat into her car and drives another 20 minutes home.  In fact, DO stay asleep after you park at home, while she works on her knitting and listens to her fascinating book on CD.  Go ahead, DO take a long nap…after all you DO have some apples to make into an apple pie to make this afternoon!