Days With the Duerksens

Our family had not made it to a pumpkin patch this fall, so I was happy to accompany Delaney on her pre-school field trip to Papa's Pumpkin Patch.  We are so fortunate to have a great family-run pumpkin patch right outside of Goessel!  In fact, one of Delaney's favorite friend lives at the patch! This is definitely one of the perks of staying home - joining my kids on their field trips! snack time with Quinli! Such attentive pre-schoolers! On the hunt Delaney and her friend, Lydia. Last weekend while our beautiful tree was losing ALL of its lovely leaves, I tried out the fast action setting on my camera.  The kids sure enjoyed that experiment!

I look forward to fall every year, and it may have something to do with this tree in our front yard!  It is beautiful - every year!  But it doesn't last long.  The first windy day comes along and those leaves are gone.  We have to enjoy it while we can.  It's not only for looking at.  It's the kids' favorite climbing tree.  The girls have enjoyed making leaf art, and, it's fun to play under its yellow/gold/burgundy canopy, too.  Thank you, God, for beautiful fall colors! I think this game was "campfire."  Delaney had gathered leaves in a pile for her "fire."  They were roasting "marshmallows." Poor Biscuit! Delaney's leaf rainbow picture.  I'm always struck at how the leaves really are not that pretty by themselves.  On the tree, however, they blend together beautifully!

Last Friday, I got to go with Cambry's class to the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina.  It wasn't a typical zoo day - it was quite chilly, quite rainy, and quite empty!  We did have a good time, though.  And thank goodness the whole morning was INSIDE in their museum. Cambry's favorite part of the field trip wasn't even the animals, it was the traveling exhibit about the Jamestown Colony!  The kids traveled through a maze, of sorts, as a colonist.  The goal was to make it through a year in Jamestown without dying - achieved through choosing correct answers, spins on the "wheels of misfortune," and completing tasks.  I was pretty impressed with it.  Cambry survived the year!  Her friend, Alyson, was less fortunate and ultimately "died" because of a bite from a Cottonmouth Snake!  :) We did stroll around outside during the afternoon.  There wasn't too much activity from the animals, but there was enough to keep the kids interested.  And on the way ho