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A Pumpkin Patch with Papa

written by Melissa Kaylene

Confession. Right now it’s nearly midnight, I’m sitting here editing Halloween photos, and am currently listening to Christmas music on Pandora. Every year life in general just seems to be going faster and faster, and while I’ve never began sneaking in Christmas music this early in the past, perhaps it will give me more time to get “in the spirit” and enjoy the season…and extend it, so it doesn’t seem to just whiz by like everything else has this year.

My Dad finally left our house yesterday after staying 9 days with us (the longest he’s ever visited) and you bet that while he was here I tried to cram in as much celebrating and holiday related stuff in as possible. Soccer games, wrestling practices, raking leaves, stuffing Halloween candy goodie bags….we did it all together. He also happened to carve his very first pumpkin with us as well. We never celebrated Halloween when I was a child, so we didn’t do any of the traditional activities, but now that I’m an adult my kids love Halloween, so my Dad actually carved pumpkins and handed out candy with us. He also went to the pumpkin patch with us as well.

It was the first time I have ever visited a pumpkin patch with my Dad, and we all ended up having a blast. We all rode on a hay ride, went through a corn maze, picked out pumpkins together, and then participated in all of the activities that we offered.

The kids loved the rope swing and slides. There were large tubes that the kids (and adults) could roll down a hill.

It was a good afternoon and a new experience for dad.

Even though he has just left, he is already planning his next visit up for the next holiday.

~Melissa

November 4, 2015 0 comment

life local events memories photos pictures Uncategorized

Quite a Day + Frozen on Ice

written by Melissa Kaylene

Hello! Remember me? That blogger who has left you hanging since last week? Well that was unintentional, believe me! I’ve wanted to sit down and get a full day’s worth of writing and photos to upload on here and just haven’t had the chance to do so – until today.

October 28, 2015 1 comment

Halloween life memories photos pictures Uncategorized

Another Day, Another Field Trip

written by Melissa Kaylene

Yesterday I chaperoned Emma’s field trip to the pumpkin patch, and it felt like Deja vu – probably because I was just there last week with Noah and his class. The owner of the pumpkin patch was delighted to see us. They are a pretty popular pumpkin patch for schools in the area to visit, yet she told us that we were the only 2nd graders that booked a field trip this year, and that all of the rest were Kindergarteners and First graders.

October 23, 2015 0 comment

life local events memories photos pictures Uncategorized

A Recap of Feast Portland 2015

written by Melissa Kaylene

Feast Portland Recap #feastpdx #omgsmoked #ogbt

Last month (I can’t believe it’s been 4 weeks already!) I attended one of the best foodie festivals around: Feast Portland.

This was the second year I was given a blogger pass, and after the amazing time I had last year at Feast, I couldn’t pass up another opportunity to attend. Feast is made up of many events across 4 days; marquee events, hands on classes, dinners, and plenty of additional parties throughout, with proceeds going to a good cause.

October 20, 2015 1 comment

life memories photos pictures tips

Why Field Trips Are Important

written by Melissa Kaylene

After Noah’s field trip to the pumpkin patch yesterday I rushed back to the school to help organize papers and count money for the grade school’s annual Read-A-Thon; the P.T.S.O.’s first big fundraiser of the year.

After a couple of bumpy roads with my time with our school’s Parent Teacher Student Organization, this year I’m finally beginning to feel a little more confident in it, and have a handful of other parents who are just as supportive as I. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

October 18, 2015 2 comments

travel Uncategorized wine

The Wine Bloggers Conference: Day 4

written by Melissa Kaylene

Oh my goodness, how has it been nearly two months since this fabulous adventure? Today I’m sharing my final day at the Wine Bloggers Conference that was held in Corning, NY. To read about my first three days, check out my initial post here.

Sunday morning’s sessions began with a lively blogging panel which included Madeline from WineFolly.com, and Jana from MerlotMommy.com Their wittiness and sense of blunt humor made for a very entertaining hour, where they discussed questions from the audience. After one last panel, we all headed outside for the final lunch, and I learned a new food: spiedies. Here in Oregon I had never heard of them before, but they are chicken prepared on a skewer, then you take the chicken off of the skewer and place it on a bun, then from what I heard you scoop up more sauce on the bun.

October 11, 2015 0 comment

local events Uncategorized

Living Locally: Wicked at The Keller Auditorium

written by Melissa Kaylene

Last night I had a girl’s night out with one of my friends and we drove up to the Keller Auditorium and saw Wicked for the first time. Over the years I’ve heard the name “Wicked” here and there, and friends have told me before that “you just HAVE to see it”. Not knowing the exact story-line I knew that it had something to do with the witches from the Wizard of Oz, but I didn’t know just how in depth the story was.

August 7, 2015 0 comment

life local events memories photos pictures Uncategorized

Living Locally: Our First Portland Thorns Game

written by Melissa Kaylene

Photos from a Portland Thorns Game via @melissakaylene

A couple of weeks ago Anika and I watched our first professional soccer game together. The Portland Thorns had a rivalry game against the Seattle Reign’s at Providence Park, and I was lucky enough to get some tickets from the National Mango Board and my Friend Marlynn from Urban Bliss Life. I received four tickets, so I decided to take a couple of friends with us.

August 6, 2015 0 comment

life memories photos pictures Uncategorized

That Time I Sent My Daughter to Horse Camp

written by Melissa Kaylene

Last week I did something that I have never done before – I took my daughter to horse camp. My little Miss Emma spent 6 hours a day for 5 days learning about horses, and she loved it.

A couple of years ago the kids all had the opportunity to ride on a horse, and while they all had fun, something came over Emma that was a little different. She (who has a lot of anxiety and normally afraid to try new things) had an ease over her, and instantly was calm and it just looked natural. I made a mental note right then to try and give her the opportunity to ride again someday.

Well, that someday came this year, when I saw an advertisement for a horse camp at a local farm, and even though it was already a hectic week planned and I hadn’t really budgeted for it, I knew I had to let her go.

I have never seen that girl so happy in my life. Each day she came home and talked more than I’ve ever heard her talk and she would talk about the animals and what she did that day. Each camper had their own horse for the week and all learned how to do certain things each day, like put saddles on, groom their horses, clean stalls, give them shots, go on trail rides, make them turn, go fast – and slow, and on the last day they all practiced riding bareback.

She hated to have camp over with – she said, “Momma, I wish I could just come here every day!” And I wish I could let her.

Giving my daughter an opportunity like this was something that I’m proud to have done. This was one week that she will never forget – and all of my working crazy hours and lack of sleep lately was totally worth it. You have to work hard to play hard, right? I have a feeling I’ve just begun an annual summer camp tradition for this girl. J