Lakeside in the Fall

When we were at Lakeside in August, we saw an advertisement for the upcoming Lakeside Marblehead Lighthouse Festival. There was going to be crafts, food, entertainment, and no gate fees. Sounded like a great Fall afternoon to us!

Several buildings and streets were full of tables, with vendors offering all different kinds of crafts and handmade goods. There was live entertainment and lots of food. Once we heard there was kettle corn, we were on a mission to find it, because Ainsley couldn't stop asking for popcorn! Luckily, we found the kettle corn booth, and Ainsley was a happy camper for the rest of the day.

Ainsley was surprised that some of the things from August, like patio seating, were gone for the season. She stood in the middle of the patio, looking around for the chairs & tables and the big ice cream picture on the wall - I can't believe she remembered that from two months ago! Creating Lakeside memories already.

In addition to the festival attractions, we took some time to enjoy the other activities at Lakeside, including shuffleboard, the playground, and of course, Lake Erie. 

Ainsley asked to have her picture taken on the butterfly chair.

Such a cool chair

Playing in the sand

Burying her toes

Throwing rocks into the lake

Patterson's Fruit Farm

We made our annual October trek to Patterson's Fruit Farm to pick apples...but we were too late!! Due to the unusual weather and an unexpected frost this Spring, the picking was only good for a few days and it was already over. Boy, was I bummed! We've since called a few more local orchards, and they had either lost their entire crop to the frost or were already done picking for the season. I guess it wasn't a good year for apple picking.

We did purchase some already-picked apples, so we can still make some yummy apple baked goods. And even without doing the picking ourselves, we enjoyed a sunny Fall day at Patterson's.

Mommy, Ainsley, and lots of pumpkins!

Running through the mums

It was like a mums maze!

Ainsley found a truck to drive

That's a heavy pumpkin!

I like...this one!

Beautiful Fall colors

Ainsley had fun running up and down the hill.

Goblins in the Garden

Last weekend, Ainsley and I checked out Goblins in the Garden at The Holden Arboretum. Everyone was invited to come in costume, and Ainsley was so excited for the debut of her Mickey Mouse costume (she keeps asking when she can be Mickey Mouse again). 

They did a fantastic job with Halloween/harvest activities for the whole family, including a wagon ride, crafts, food, and of course, trick or treat!  

Mickey Mouse, about to climb the straw piles

Very tall pumpkin people in the Harvest Maze

Counting the pumpkins

Would you like to wear the ears?

Really creative ideas on Scarecrow Row

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Mommy reading bedtime stories 

Very fancy scarecrow!

Dancing to the music by the live band

The actual Goblins in the Garden trick or treat stations were so creative and well done. Some were scary, some were fun. One was a graveyard that showed how long it takes various items to decompose - it promoted recycling. So clever!

Helga's Haberdashery & Emporium - Love it!

Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz - Peek-a-doo!

Caught in the big spiderweb 

Ainsley's favorite were the flowers...

...and mushrooms

So cute

The March Hare

Cinderella

Happy Fall!

Chalk Fest 2012

The Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art is such a unique event. Anyone can purchase a square on the sidewalk as their blank canvas to participate. It's amazing to see the variety of subjects and styles, all using chalk. Ainsley wanted to draw, too, so we had to tell her we forgot our chalk!

We enjoyed all the afternoon had to offer - watching the artists, the ducks & geese in the water, and all the wedding parties taking pictures. Ainsley had fun pointing out the colors of the bridesmaids' dresses. She kept yelling, "More getting married!" We probably saw five or six different wedding parties. It certainly was a fun day, enjoying the culture & talents of our community.

Checking out the new atrium at the museum

Ainsley liked this kitty picture

Playing by the fountain

Running back...

...and forth

Very focused, as she prepares to jump off
the edge of the wall. She did it - little daredevil!