Pumpkin Patch Kid

This weekend Pamela and I took Kali to her first pumpkin patch. We ended up at a place in Valley Center called Bates Nut Farm. Originally, I was going to take her to a fly-by-night parking lot operation but another friend told me that I just HAD to go to Bates Nut Farm because it was THEE place to be for pumpkins and kids. So in an effort to wow her with her first experience, I decided to go all out and head out to Valley Center. Well, I'll just say it didn't disappoint. I don't know what I was expecting but what I wasn't expecting was to see the massive amount of cars in the parking lot when we arrived! There were thousands of people at the farm and soooo much to do. Face painting, petting zoo, corn maze, hay ride, bounce houses, pony rides, games, a marching band, etc. etc. etc!

I thought it would be fun for Kali to have her first pony ride and at first, she did too! We stood in line for a good while and she was laughing and smiling at all the litle ponies going around in the carousel. When it was her turn, I put her on the pony and she was still all smiles but then, panic set in and her facial expression turned to fear. As soon as the pony took one step, she lost it and I had to tell them to stop so I could take her off. Awwww...a little disappointing but she is only two (sometimes I forget that fact)! I'm sure next year she'll be ready for that poopy pony (that's what she called the ponies because they kept pooping *lol*)!

We could have made an entire day of it, but Kali didn't get much of a nap beforehand so after a couple of hours, she was starting to get testy and we got out of there before it got ugly. *lol*

We all had a great time at the farm and it was definitely worth the drive. We're not a "Halloween" celebrating household, but pumpkins are for Thanksgiving too so....this just may be a new family tradition!

Oh No She Didn't!

Oh yes she did!!! Yesterday, I took my baby to the mall with me where we were minding our own business and enjoying the 80 degree weather. Kalissa played in the water feature for a while, then she sniffed flowers, danced around, and was just being her happy little self. After we finished shopping, I took her hand and began walking back to the car. At some point, Kali became aware of this little, old lady walking very slowly about 10 feet behind us. This lady had to be 85/90 years old or maybe a little younger but just appeared older. Well, Kalissa loves seniors! If she comes into contact with a woman who appears to have some age on her, she will automatically call her "Grandma". She thinks that's the name of all older women. So automatically, Kalissa starts smiling at this lady. Every few steps, she would stop and turn around and just give her a million-watt smile. I did notice that the woman would look directly at Kali but not smile back, but I never expected what happened next. After about the 3rd time of Kali stopping to smile at her, she glared at Kali and in a mean voice said, "What is your problem little girl?" Ohhhhhh, but no! I was completely shocked and blurted out something that was not nice (I won't repeat it because I'm not proud of it). If you don't like children, fine...just ignore her. But she wasn't doing a thing other than being kind. Of course after I thought about it, I should have said nothing other than, "God bless you." I'll never know her circumstance and clearly, at her age, she should have had some help with her and yet there was no one. Maybe life has left her bitter, drained and without joy. And although I took it as an attack on my baby, I'm sure her reaction had nothing to do with Kali at all. She would have probably kicked a puppy if she saw one. No, that woman didn't deserve my response. But, it's another lesson that I learned from and that I'll teach Kali to do better from.

Welcome Back

Last week Oma got back from Alaska and Kalissa was thrilled to see her. She'd been talking to her on the phone for the past 5 months so Kali definitely still remembered her. When Oma came over on Sunday, Kalissa just kept smiling at her and before long she was showing off all the new things she's learned. Matter of fact, she was so comfortable that when it came time for her to go potty, Kali told me, "moooove Mommy! I want Oma wipe me." At first, when she told me to move I just figured she had to poop because that's what she says when that urge comes (or she will say, "I need a moment" *lol*). But nooooo, not this time. She just wanted Oma all up in her business. awwwwww....now that's love. :)