All-Things-Fall Dinner

Every year we go to Pa's Pumpkin Patch. The means buying tickets for rides and pumpkins that are usually more expensive than at a store. This year we're learning to live within our means, so no Pa's Pumpkin Patch. We were going to go to Disneyland with our annual passes to enjoy the rides for "free", but since Brad took several days off of work to take care of the family while I was sick, we decided to skip him having to take yet another day off.

Instead, yesterday, the kids and I enjoyed Halloween festivities at a friend's house. Then we came home and prepared for a special dinner highlighting all things fall.

Brad came home early and got started right away on the pumpkin carving. I bought our family pumpkin at Sprout's for $3.00-something. I splurged and bought a small pumpkin for each of the children. They were $1.99 a piece. While Brad and Kaeley worked on the family pumpkin I gave Alynna and Nathan the Sharpie markers. Alynna was hungry already and, as you can see from our picture, she didn't quite get why there was a pumpkin on her high chair.

Our appetizers were dried apple rings, dried apricots, and raisins to look like eye balls. For dinner we had chili cheese dogs and potato fries. For dessert, of course, was a pumpkin pie with real whipped cream.

The dessert was a bit disappointing. I overcooked the pie. It's edible, but ended up a bit on the chewy side. The cream I over-whipped and curdled! I had to call my mom and ask what the heck happened. I tried again using a few of the tips, and as always, Mom fixed it. Mom fixes all things kitchen, which I love. If you have a cooking fiasco, call my mom!

After dinner we surprised Kaeley with a rented movie: Ice Age 3. She was so excited! All three children watched the movie in happy peace with many giggles in between. Even Alynna happily played around the living room for a good half hour!

It was a very fun night. I think I might have liked the night better than going to a pumpkin patch, because we made it our own on our own price. The weather even cooperated. Here in Sunny California it's been in the 80's. Last night it dropped to chilly and windy, so it was very appropriate.