Wandering Wednesday: The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze

I'm sure anyone who ever taught with me would be completely unsurprised by the fact that all of our family outings are strategically planned by me. I used to get teased for always have my lesson plans done early; it wasn't so much that I was conscientious as it was that I really enjoy planning. Since I no longer have lesson plans, I have to get my jollies where I can - family outings and vacations.

Hot Guy cheerfully indulges me and I like to think it's not just because I become an unhinged freak if I don't have a plan.

Anyway, my latest plan involved finally going to The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze. I have been dying to see the 5000 hand carved pumpkins on display at Van Cortland Manor since we moved back to the area, but it wasn't until this year that I thought all 3 kids could handle an evening outing without it getting ugly.

First we went to dinner at the Umami Cafe. Actually, first we picked up the kids from school and got our flu shots, but I didn't take any pictures of that. Which is probably good, seeing as this year Hugmonkey totally flipped out.

Anyway, the cafe was very kid-friendly, casual and had really interesting food.

They look so sweet and well-behaved here. 

I don't know the story behind the fish. 

The kids were very pleased with the menu. 

I have no idea what Hugmonkey was looking at. 

Homemade potato chips. Totally puts a breadbasket to shame. 

What Lovebug does while waiting for his food. 

What Hot Guy does while waiting for his. 

The place if very "Blaze" friendly, so they made sure we got to our 6:30 start time with plenty of time to spare. 

First there was pumpkin-inspired art. That one was made out of Lego. 

Loved the lights on this. 

I don't really get the pumpkin in this sculpture. 

Pumpkin/Chicken house! 

Every light you see is from a hand-carved pumpkin. 

Awesomeness. 

Stacked pumpkins. 

Pumpkin/flower garden. 

Van Cortland Manor. 

Graveyard. 

Pumpkin spiderweb. 

Witches. 

Tunnel of love. 

Dragon. 

There were also dinosaurs, but my camera decided to die just then. And my pictures really aren't doing the Blaze justice. If you get a chance to go (they are open after Halloween too), it's totally worth it. 

Wandering Wednesday: The Town Festival

The first time we attended our small town's fall festival we pushed a double stroller.

This time, we didn't even bring a stroller. And we actually knew people - lots of people. Though I think the kids knew even more people.

First up: The obstacle course. Well, actually, first we had to get hand stamps and chat with some friends, but you know what I mean. 

Ironflower won the obstacle course race. 

Probably not the best photo of Hot Guy I've ever taken, but this is the only picture that didn't have too many random strangers in it. Also, if you squint you might be able to see the bunnies. 

Decorate a pumpkin craft! I felt bad because I think they were trying to recruit people for their preschool and I'm totally not looking for a preschool, but they were nice about it. 

Pony rides! Lovebug rode one last weekend and apparently he's know over it. HugMonkey refused to try, but Ironflower had a good time. 

There was also a long-but-unphotographed section where they were in the Bouncy House. This year (finally!) there were actually two Bouncy Houses - one for big kids and one for little ones. Hugmonkey was so happy.

Paint pens and pumpkins! We have done this craft every year, but I have to admit I missed the stroller when we had to carry them all home. 

Ironflower at the trivia contest, which was new this year. 

HugMonkey did not want his picture taken while we watched the trivia contest. 

Lovebug also did the trivia contest; he was much more into the dance section of it, though. 

We stopped by the farmer's market section. 

And the car show. This van - which I now realize you can't tell from the picture - was totally decked out like The Mystery Machine from Scooby-Do. 

I think my favorite thing about our town's fall festival is that it's so small. It's crowded, of course, but it's not intolerable. It's less crowded than the local mall on an average Saturday, actually. I mean, apparently the guy who's running against my Twitter buddy Cory Booker  was there on Saturday and I didn't even get to trip him.