It may be Halloween but I'm thinking about Christmas

Right after I got home from work I realized that tomorrow is Halloween and if we were going to carve the pumpkins, tonight would be a good time.

In case you couldn't tell, that's a "big spider pumpkin" on the right and a "baby pumpkin" on the left. Requested by Biscuit, interpreted and created by mom.  Not bad for 30 minutes before dinner.

Actually, getting the pumpkins was more fun then carving them. This was Biscuit's third visit to this pumpkin patch. We took her at 10 days old dressed as a pumpkin for a photo shoot ;)

This year she wore a dress that I *think* my grandma made but I'm not sure if I ever wore it or just my sister.  There's a homemade, ruffly, orange blouse too but we opted for the t-shirt underneath.

It doesn't look like she's enjoying it but apparently the hay ride was a hit. We were there over a week ago and everyday since she's told me about the "pumpkin catch" and, "my ride tractor." Which translates to, "I went to the pumpkin patch and I rode on a hay ride pulled by a tractor."

She also fed a goat.

Tomorrow, she'll be dressed as a chicken for trick-or-treating. I'll try to snap a photo.

And, about Christmas, I was reading Parent's magazine yesterday and found their holiday gift guide slightly annoying. So I'm planning my own little alternative gift guide to be posted on this here site (you know, once I transfer it from my brain and a collection of sticky notes to an actual, organized format!).

If you have ideas for gifts for children (or parents) let me know. I'm trying to focus on creative play toys and activities that can be made from recycled or common materials. Also toys/gifts from small producers (like folks on Etsy). I have a good list going and would love your ideas: mdhaworth at gmail dot com.

Merry Christmas! Happy Halloween!