We picked up an extra pumpkin this year at Tanaka Farms pumpkin patch! And a cute one at that.
Our trip to the pumpkin patch this year was pleasant enough, although, (SPOILER), the only truly content one was Meredith. Samantha and Amelia decided they were not putting up with any picture taking shenanigans that day and adamantly refused my requests pathetic pleas to smile at the camera. “FOR GOODNESS SAKES!” I kept yelling. “I BIRTHED YOU, I WIPE YOUR BUMS AND FEED YOU THREE SQUARE MEALS A DAY… THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS FREAKING LOOK AT THE CAMERA.”
Despite my frustration, the twins knew that they had me right where they wanted me and alternated between being cute and laughing whenever I didn’t have my camera out and looking away/frowning/screaming when I did have the camera. They can be positively diabolical sometimes.
I get that it’s nice just enjoy the moments without recording them ad nauseam sometimes, but what they failed to realize is that it’s not easy getting three three-and-unders dressed, pottied, snacked, packed, and out the door, coordinating napping, pumping and mealtime schedules in between. In other words, this was our one family fall pumpkin patch trip and I would stop at nothing for that quintessential fall picture. I mean, objectively speaking, is that so much to ask? Apparently, yes.
I eventually just threw up my hands and walked away from them all in a huff, storm clouds and lightening following me. That seemed to get their attention and the girls tried to make up for it by being sweet the rest of the trip. I agreed to put away the camera and stop forcing smiles and in turn, they agreed to stop smacking each other and use hand sanitizer. Sometimes I feel like I’m negotiating with terrorists. But I’ll take it.
The girls placed votes for their three favorite scarecrows.
Meredith was thrilled she got to go on her first trip to the pumpkin patch.
THREENAGERS.
In uncharacteristic fashion, Meredith was screaming during the entire wagon ride around the farm. We thought she would love the bumpy ride, but she seemed scared, poor thing!
Pumpkin cannon. 
My, how they’ve grown.
On a playdate with Grace to the patch, last year.
Can’t get over Amelia and Grace’s cuteness last year.
Kisses for the baby.
CRINKLY LEAVES. IN MY MOUTH. BEST. DAY. EVER.
HAVE YOU TRIED THESE? THEY’RE EXCELLENT.
Fascinating!
The cutest pumpkin in the patch.
Flashback to the pumpkin patch last year with Noah. I’m seeing a trend in moods for Samantha.
They couldn’t resist having fun sticking their heads through the various photo ops.
Meredith thought the whole poking her head through a pumpkin thing was hilarious. 
Samantha was just not having it– even for Dora.
We finally got Samantha to smile by switching places with Amelia. Apparently, all she wanted to do was be the red pumpkin?
After waiting an eternity at the food stand for some sketchy tacos and hot dogs (note for next year– pack a lunch), the twins picked out pumpkins for themselves and Meredith. At first, they scanned the field for the biggest (and, hence, most expensive) ones they could find, until we revised the criteria to be limited to what they could pick up themselves.
YOU CAN’T HOLD ME BACK.
The three amigas.
We went home with a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins, pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter, which never fails to get everyone in better spirits.
Lots of love,
Oh man, I FEEL your pain with the pictures of kids. My kids simply go deaf every time I so much as touch our camera! It’s maddening, because they don’t know how fast they’re growing and how different they will look next week and how distraught their mother will be if she does not have at least ten pictures of them from every single week of their childhoods! Meredith has an AWESOME, darling wide smile. I love it.
Hahaha YES, exactly!