Grandpa Pumpkin

When Andrew decorates his pumpkin,
Sometime in the Fall,
I have my own opinions, but don’t say a thing at all.

I asked him for his theme –
I knew he’d have some scheme –
And really, I don’t mind at all
Lest he choose something obscene.

“I’ve used those foamy stickers,
and once I made a clown.
But, this year I think I’ll choose instead,
To make my pumpkin Grandpa’s head.”

This was not what I’d expect,
And knew he meant no disrespect.
I knew without inquiring
This is a child’s mere admiring.
And really, I don’t mind at all,
Though I think you’ll owe my Dad a call.

He started with the eyes – all blue and brown and green.
“You know that Grampa’s eyes,” he said, “are the coolest ever seen.”
He put in a button nose and a big red, wide smile,
The kind that stretches ear to ear - nearly a full mile.
If he asked, I would have said, “That smile’s way too tall,”
Anyway, he’s just a kid, it won’t be Grandpa’s head at all.

So quick and sudden I heard him shout.
“The ears must surely stick straight out!”
I’ll need some tape and scissors quick,
I need to make them really stick.”
He was having such a ball.
Grandpa wouldn’t mind at all.

He left the pumpkin nearly bare,
Except a crown of straight black hair.
Grandpa’s likeness made with such care,
I found it hard to stop my stare.
But when Andrew ran off into the hall,
What came next, I couldn’t guess at all.

“Andrew, where are you? I think its done.
Why did you go off in a run?”

“Mom, we can’t leave Grandpa just like that!
He can borrow my favorite hat.”

Its Grandpa for sure – no other guy.
But when I look him in the eye.
This pumpkin will last, and I know why.
I can’t make Dad into pumpkin pie.

Day 8 - A Mammoth Walk with Silly Kids

The biggest mistake you can make when attempting to take pictures of your children is to tell them that it is 'very important.'

I foolishly encouraged my husband to attempt a picture of all three of them. I am not sure what we were thinking. Here, Gladys runs away from him down the boardwalk.

I am not sure how they came up with three seperate and rediculous faces without coordination.

They just know.

For some reason, we spent an unusual amount of effort at Mammoth Springs attempting to take the perfect picture of the kids. Our darling children were not too accomodating of this idea.

They mostly wanted to run down the boardwalk like children. You would think they had been cooped up in the truck for thousands of miles (oh, right, they were).

George couldn't keep up even going down. Going back up was slightly more challenging, but we managed to walk every inch of the boardwalk.

This bird posed for us very nicely.

The children only stopped to check out some scat (a fancy Ranger-word for poop).

Eventually, we got lucky. This shot was taken later in the day (they must have forgotten we wanted the picture). We were on our way back from a quick trip into Gardner, MT.

In the evening, we enjoyed our best sight of the day - Grandpa! My father joined us at the campsite in time for dinner and a goodnight story.

Thanks Grandpa!