Pumpkins

Sunday we went to look at pumpkins, at a patch down in Fremont. The most important aspect of this particular pumpkin patch was the pyramid of hay bales, good for climbing.



This pyramid of hay bales had been in place for at least a couple of weeks, and it was showing its age. There were collapsed areas all over it that your foot would sink in to, and the wires were at the surface and loose, providing perfect opportunities to trip. None of this bothered Parker, of course.



Fatherhood and the utter fearlessness of my 22 month-old son caused me to view this pyramid with great apprehension and disapproval, tailing Parker in panicked circles around the top two levels. The thing was every kids dream, a wild climb and a splendid romp, and kids were having the time of their lives on it while we were there. But I saw nothing but fun and games turning to tragedy. Sure, everyone loves the hay pyramid until some poor kid trips on baling wire and knocks the next one to his probable broken neck four or five bales of hay down. This was a very bad pyramid of hay bales.

But Parker had a blast, enjoying one of his new favorite activities: jumping.





But we were there to see pumpkins, and see pumpkins we did!






Some pumpkins are also good for the jumping game.




Also, we saw dirt clods.



And tried to eat them.



There was also a hay bale maze, which was another big hit with the kids, but had the added dad-friendly bonus of not being an instrument of probable injury and death.




We also walked over to adjacent Ardenwood historic farm. Our East Bay Regional Parks membership got us in for free instead of the 12 bucks it would have cost. And I must say, for 12 bucks I'd have felt a little underwhelmed by Ardenwood, but for free it was great.



Along the way, we met up with Rachel's friend Amity, and her son Mac, who is just absurdly cute, and sweet and good tempered.




And that was enough fun for one day.