Outdoor Kids: loving the perfect autumn weather

How did this happen? Sunny. Dry. Mid-60s. And it's supposed to be like this all week? It's classic Fall weather, so let's take advantage of it while we can. This morning I needed to go up to St. John's, so while sonny boy and I were there, I thought, 'heck, Sauvie Island isn't that far away, let's go!' I wouldn't go anywhere near Sauvie Island on a weekend due to the traffic nightmare at the pumpkin patches. But on a Monday morning? No problem. In fact we did go to The Pumpkin Patch and had a great time. We visited the animals, checked out the old tractors, climbed on the hay bales, then headed to the produce market. (BTW, they had Hood River Fuji apples for 69 cents/pound, and since I needed 30 pounds for apple butter, I got 'em for 59 cents/pound.)

From there we went over to the Howell Territorial Park (left off the bridge about 1/2 mile) because I'd never been there. No one was there, and it was so peaceful. We listened to all the different bird calls, found cool pine cones on the ground and identified fruit trees. My three-year old is such a joy to hang out with when it's just the two of us. He's interested in everything and doesn't have to fight his sister for the spotlight. As we left the island he said, "What a great day, Mommy" and it wasn't even noon yet.

Other things to consider this week: visit Hoyt Arboretum, which will be ablaze with fall color; check out the Urban Edibles database and pick some apples; go for a bike ride along the Willamette; rake leaves and let the kids work off some jumping energy; go for a walk and look for cool fallen leaves or pine cones; carve pumpkins on the back deck. The possibilities seem endless! What are some Fall weather activities you like to do with your kids outdoors?