Monday, Jia and I took off for my 110th visit to a pumpkin patch! Honestly, I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve been to a pumpkin patch. I would say that in the last 12 1/2 years, I’ve been to a pumpkin patch at least 7 of those years, maybe more. This was a unique visit, though. We did go to a working farm, only they don’t grow pumpkins. As we entered the “pumpkin patch,” it was an area with pumpkins spread out all over the ground, not growing from the ground. Evidently, Colorado doesn’t have a long enough growing season for pumpkins. The lady who hosted us at her farm purchased pumpkins from a store and spread them out for the children to search for their prize pumpkins. Interesting…..

The kids had a blast, though, and don’t really know the difference anyway, I suppose. Afterwards, there was a wonderful area set up for them to decorate their pumpkins with awesome foam stickers and paint pens. Rice krispy treats and juice topped off their morning. Jia and I had a great time, and I’m hoping that I won’t be making too many more pumpkin patch field trips until my children start having children of their own!!

Jia with Her Freshly Picked Pumpkin

Jia’s Class

Jia Decorating Her Pumpkin

Yesterday, I laid in bed with my two girls cuddled up to me having some sweet mommy time. Since the three oldest were staying home from school because of Halloween parties (yes, we’re weird - we don’t celebrate Halloween), we had some extra time to snuggle. I was asking each of the girls what they would like for Christmas, and they were excitedly coming up with ideas for me. We were giggling and having a good time. Then, it happened! Kitty reached over to hold my hand, and as I was holding her hand, Jia reached over to remove Kitty’s hand so that she could hold my hand. In a matter of seconds, we went from a happy family to major division. Kitty kept explaining to Jia that I was her mommy, too. Of course, she would have died before letting go of my hand as she explained this fact to her little sister. I told Jia that I could hold both of their hands, but she would have none of it. She proceeded to show me with her body language just how unhappy she was to have to share her mommy with her big sister.

A little later in the morning, little Kitty and I took Jia to school. She was in a program during chapel that I wanted to see. Since we were early, Kitty and I found a seat and watched the preschoolers practice. Jia was so animated as she sang and did all of the motions that went with the songs. She smiled and waved at me and posed for picture after picture.

Jia Posing for the Camera During Practice

About halfway through the service before Jia had sung, Jia noticed that little Kitty was lying over on my shoulder and that I had my arms around her. Jia immediately changed. All of a sudden, she was no longer the happy little performer. Once again, her body language made it very clear that she was unhappy that I was holding her sister instead of her. She didn’t sing or do any of the hand motions. Her teacher kept encouraging her, not having a clue as to what had happened. Still, my little stubborn princess wouldn’t perform. Ahhhh…..little girls!! The rivalry has already begun!!

Jia “Wearing” Her Feelings