Pumpkin Picking, Halloween Bunting & Autumnal Delights

This weekend was a welcome break from the mad rush of the school run. I’m actually happy that Halloween is approaching so we can have a longer break from running around 🙂 Firstly, I’d like to announce the publication of my new book “Mortified: A Motherhood Memoir.” It is available on Kindle right now and in paperback. You can buy it here and it is free to read on Kindle Unlimited https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJC86XXB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2H51BB9REWZBC&keywords=keelan+laforge&qid=1665996514&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjMxIiwicXNhIjoiMi4yMiIsInFzcCI6IjEuNjYifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=keelan+laforge%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1 It’s a light and funny read about all the ridiculous things that have happened to my kids and me. I decided to celebrate its release later with some fruity cider and a party for one 🙂

On Saturday, I took the girls to a Pumpkin patch on a farm we had never visited before. They loved it so much and I’m not surprised it was sold out! We were lucky to get dry, crisp weather for it. First, the girls had to pick a pumpkin each. I encouraged them to get smaller ones to make them easier to carry 🙂 They had all different colours and sizes though. I saw some people that had brought wheelbarrows and mini trailers to carry their pumpkins in, so they were incredibly organised! The girls scooped their pumpkins out and drew designs on them and then the staff carved them for us 🙂

They had made a cute little haunted house tour out of a barn. It was perfect for kids because it was spooky without being scary! We did a couple of tours of it because the girls enjoyed it so much 🙂 I did too 🙂 It was such a simple idea, but it worked really well. They had a barn filled with games for kids. The girls loved the space hoppers/soft play area. They also had fairground-type games and a pop-up cafe. It was freezing outside so I was very grateful for a cup of coffee to warm my hands 🙂 It was very Wintery and cold that day, but bright and beautiful outside too. I enjoyed just staring into the distance and watching the girls playing.

They also had go-karts outside and a little track for the kids, as well as a bouncy castle. We found another barn with a huge sandpit in it too. The girls held a rabbit called Peter and a Guinea pig called Frappuccino 😊 There is also a maize maze. They grow corn on the farm and a maze has been made for visitors to find their way through. We had to find the scarecrow pictures along the way and the girls really enjoyed it 🙂 We took lots of wrong turns, but we got out in the end 🙂 Sometimes after a busy week, you just need to spend time outside, play games and stare at the sky. The book I’m reading at the moment “What Falls from the Sky” is a great reminder of that.

After the farm, we went to my sister’s house for the afternoon. The kids and I made some Halloween bunting. My younger niece seemed to enjoy making it too. It was straightforward – they just had to glue facial features onto Halloween characters and then we threaded it onto ribbon to make the bunting.

On Sunday, we set out to the playground on the way to my parents’ house. I brought some hot chocolate and mini marshmallows with us. (It might have been a mistake bringing the bag because the girls got carried away when they helped themselves!) Thankfully we were in the perfect location to burn off some of their excess energy. I just watched the colourful leaves on the trees, listened to my kids’ jokes and laughter and enjoyed the warmth of the hot chocolate 🙂 I love sitting in the park in the morning, reading a book and pushing the kids on the swings. It always uplifts me. What do you like to do at the weekend? Feel free to comment below and share your ideas too!

We went to my parents’ house and my mum had made a black bean soup and a tomato and basil one. I loved the black bean one; it was really addictive. It had a curry kick to it, and it was perfect after being out in the cold. We started a new one-thousand-piece puzzle. We finished the 500 piece one the last time I was there. There’s something about doing a puzzle that just slows your mind right down and relaxes you, even when you’re struggling to piece together more than a small section (like I was yesterday!) For dinner, my dad made a lovely chicken and mango curry which I might try to recreate later 🙂

Last week, my dad and I also tried a French bakery/cafe that we had never been to before. The croissants were the best I’ve ever had outside Paris. They had so many delicious-looking pastries and the coffee was lovely too. I would definitely return for the croissants alone 🙂