A Visit To The Pumpkin Patch

A couple weeks ago we headed out to the Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch. We have some small local patches but this is the big one that only comes once a year. It sets up for a weekend in October at Peacock Park. We try to go every year and always have a good time. Our pumpkin patches are not like the ones you might be used to. Like I mentioned, they are at a park, not a farm or field. There is only a portion that not under tents (because it's scorching hot) and it's really a marketing free for all.

We did one nice family picture, thanks to Jet Blue, and yes our next big family vacation is to the Bahamas next year!!

Taking a picture of these two is like trying to take a picture of toddlers. They complain, they squirm, they barely smile. This is the best of about 25 that I took of them.

These two sit, pose and smile. One or two pictures and I get what I want. 

We tend to do much better when all four are int he picture together. 

Picking pumpkins....

There's a big pumpkin decorating tent where you pay $5 per child and they get a mini pumpkin and can decorate it.  It's totally worth it to get out of the sun and the kids enjoy the craft time.

 Meanwhile, I went on the hunt for an alcoholic beverage, pumpkin beer! Let's face it, I'm not as crafty as JC!

Of course there was an Elsa, because why wouldn't Elsa hang out at the pumpkin patch?

It made her day!

These two are always camera ready! 

After pumpkin crafting came the rides. There was a giant slide, swings, a rocking boat and some bouncehouses. The lines were about 45 minutes per ride so the kids chose the slide and the boat.

This might be my favorite picture of the day. The boys were all gung-ho about riding the boat but when it swung high, the brave ones ended up being the girls! Look at Adrian and Gian's faces!

We did have a wonderful time together. One day we will get to go to a proper pumpkin patch with lots of pumpkins and hayrides and apple cider. Maybe next fall!

5 on Friday

Happy Friday!!! I'm super excited that its Friday. It's been a long week and I need a break! I'm all linked up at Oh Hey Friday and ready for the weekend!!
ONE
The kids went back to school this week and oh man, has it been hard. Amberly, Adrian and Gian started third, second and first grades respectively. Early wake-ups aren't fun and we have been late or near-late every day! Next week will be better!

TWO

I'm so super duper excited that my dear cousin is coming to visit on Saturday with her girls. She has the most adorable 3 year old twins you have ever seen. I'll make sure to take lots of pictures so I can show them off next week! 

THREE

I'm in the cooking mood so this weekend I'm going to try some variances on my all-time favorite bread pudding! I love bread pudding and I have blogged about it before, sharing a basic recipe but I'm going to kick it up a notch this weekend!

FOUR

I need new reading material. I want some fun reading. The last book I read was a tough one. It was a true story and just hurt my heart. I need an uplifting story. Does anyone have any books they recommend?

FIVE

It's almost here! Football season! Yes, I am one of those women who gets overly excited about football. I love the sport. I love the man candy. I love the food. I have ordered all new Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins shirts for me and JC. We are ready!!!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy every last minute because two days is definitely too short, in my opinion!

June Happenings

This post is going to be a start of a new monthly post, mostly for me to remember what happened during the previous month and because I love to share our lives with you. I don't want to miss out on sharing family moments with you!! Today, I'm going to recap the month of June 2014!!!

June started off with the end-of-school!

Gian's Kindergarten graduation

The kids will now move on to first, second and third grade for the 2104-2015 school year.


The kids perfected their tree-climbing skills:

My sister and I took Adrian to a friend's birthday party at Gametime. It's basically a huge arcade and they had a red cup game where kids have to toss ping pong balls into cups, I remember it being called "beer pong" in college, for kids! Insane!!

Spring basketball ended...

and I hosted an end-of-season pool party at the house (so much fun!)

Amberly's piece exhibited at a gallery in Wynwood!

We took the kids to a roller skating party! Amberly is a pro but Adrian and Gian had never skated before. Gian got the hang of it but Adrian hated every minute!! Sorry for the blurry pics, I have no idea how to take action shots on my  phone!

Adrian, Ivanna and 2 of their cousins got together to say good-bye to Ivanna and their grandmother who went to Houston, TX for the summer. We all miss them terribly!!

Basketball practice continues!

So do the rainy days. I think it rained at least 20 days in the month of June.

A BJ's Wholesale opened up down the street from us. We were super excited to check it out. We've been 4 times in a month!

Father's Day was fun for all except me, I was in bed all weekend with what I think was the flu!

Last, but not least, we welcomed a new pet into the family! Meet Raphael:

June was busy, busy, busy but so fantastic!!