I Admit Defeat...Autumn is Here!

It's fall.  Yes, I know the first day of fall was in September, and I'm about three weeks late.  But we live in Georgia, and the pool was still just a tad warmer than icy.  If I could still get my suit on and get wet without feeling like passing out, summer was not officially over.  I did not want to give in.  I did not want to admit that it was getting cooler at night.  Well, nearly cold.  The pool still had a couple days left in it as far as I was concerned, but the kids were screaming and crying when I made them swim, so I figured I'd better go ahead and get in line with the solar system and admit it's fall.  The earth is officially tilted away from the sun now, and I cannot pretend any longer.  When I got up this morning and the temperature outside was only 8 degrees above freezing, and the inside temperature was 10 degrees lower than what our thermostat is set at, I agreed it was time to give up my mental standoff.  

So here we are.  It's fall.  Time for socks and slippers; cinnamon scented candles; orange and yellow decor; craft projects involving leaves, pumpkins, and turkeys; and a cover on the pool.  I've put the electric blanket on the bed.  Good Bye Summer!  I love you!  I will miss you!  I never once complained that you were too hot, even when everyone down here complained.  I just thought it was hot in Georgia, and I never once whined about the heat.  Even when I finally learned that it was about the hottest Georgia summer in a hundred years, I did not complain about you!  I loved you!  And I'm going to miss you all winter long.  Please don't go too far away.  Please!

Cookie making, once again.  I always have to mentally prepare myself for the colored sugar and sprinkles that are sure to make their way onto every flat surface within yelling distance of the kitchen table.

Merrilee-always precise and artistic in her decorating.

Katie Mei-just plain fun and messy.

Jacob-just plain messy.

Last Saturday we manged to make it to Mark's Melon Patch for the second year in a row.  We didn't do the hay ride this year, which was just as well.  I hate to admit it, but I was in prime Grouchy Mom form that day, and straw in my shorts was about the last thing I needed.  The kids had fun, though, and I tried, but it just took a little more effort.

Jacob selects his pumpkin.  He always goes for the largest ones.

Katie Mei wins the cutest kid on the block award.  She picked out her pumpkin all by herself this year, and was even able to carry it herself.  For about 30 seconds.  Then Mom had to carry it.

Merrilee picking out her favorite pumpkin.

Katie Mei had a little trouble smiling for the photo.  She was really not happy at this point (late for lunch), and when Daddy got serious "daddy voice" about smiling, the little bit of happy she had left went away (see below).

Not a good time for Katie Mei~

Tasting raw peanuts right off the plant.  No one wanted a second taste!

So we've got the signs of fall (five pumpkins) sitting on our front porch.  The neighborhood dogs haven't eaten them yet, and I'm still in awe that my pretty fall flag is still flying near the driveway.  Last year my scarecrow was massacred, brutally murdered, all over the driveway by the beasts!  I'm hesitant to put out winter decorations, too.  Our polar bear was another victim of the dogs. 

Oh, how I hate to say Good Bye to summer. How I loved thee in the years of my youth, and how I love thee still.  May the memory of your beloved sunlight on my upturned face keep me warm through the cold months to come.