I love pumpkin picking

Saturday morning, we met up with my sister-in-law and her family at our house.  We drove down to Wall, NJ to visit Atlantic Farms, which has a small petting zoo.  We’d been here before back in October 2008, and I t hink Josh has been to another one recently on a school field trip.  Still, I don’t think kids ever get too tired of petting zoos.

When we got down there, there were no long lines or crowds of people, so we were actually a little nervous that there was no petting zoo, but there was.  I guess today wasn’t a specifically promoted day. Kids had a good time, and I saw basically the same farm animals from last year, like that cow with the big tongue that wants to lick my face. Josh had a good time, as his cousin Sophia was here.  Lily had a somewhat more trying time.  She went “baaa” at a sheep, the sheep returned the “baaa”, and she got scared. She eventually calmed down, and got into the whole petting zoo thing by throwing corn in the general direction of an animal.

Dinner with Doug & Kathy

In the evening, we drove up to my NY to drop off the kids to my parents for the evening.  After that, we immediately drove up to see our friends Doug & Kathy to hang out and dinner.  We ate at a surprisingly good Greek restaurant — “surprisingly” good not related to the quality, but that it was situated in a strip mall on Rt. 17 in Ramsey, NJ. I know Greek cuisine is big on seafood and lamb, but I stuck with a great tasting chicken platter. 

Worst present you can ever get me?  Seafood and/or lamb.

Last night, the Jacobs (Paul & Biji) arrived from Michigan. We “officially” inaugurated the stove Friday night (unofficially with pasta & meat sauce Thurs night) with t-bone steaks, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable medley. The gas range worked out great. 4 regular/power/simmer burners, and a large 5th burner that can be used with the included griddle. Fun fun fun.

Saturday night, we are heading to a BBQ at Doug & Kathy’s. I hope the weather holds up — there is a severe thunderstorm warning in the area.

Doug and Kathy came over for dinner and brought the fish tank and all the paraphernalia.  We are now the proud owners of 8 freshwater guppies and other assorted fish, plus a fish tank and stand, etc.  It’s sitting in our living room now.  The last time I had fish, I was 3 years old, and living with my parents in an apartment in the Bronx.  As my parents tell the story, I went into the fish tank, and put all of the fish onto the floor to play with them.  We never had fish again.

Joshua is 3, and is very excited to have the fish.  So excited, he keeps trying to put his hands into the fish tank.  Why do I feel as if history will soon be repeating itself with the latest generation of Ipes?