It's NOT cold an flu season, it's NOT cold and flu season, it's not...

Already? Is it REALLY here? After HALF of Elliot's Toddler Class came down with some sort of ailement after last week's class, I have to say a resounding YES is the correct answer. The class was on Tuesday, and by Wednesday night, Elliot was running a fever. A fever that came and went for the next few days (disappearing ususally during his doctor's clinic's hours, causing me to not worry too much, only to come back in full force at night, making me worry and stress and regret taking him in that afternoon). By Monday I knew something had to be wrong- he wasn't playing, he wasn't eating (much), and all he wanted to do was sit on Mommy's lap and snuggle (not that I'm complaining, but he ususally doesn't have TIME to snuggle w/ his mommy because he's too busy playing). The Doctor's diagnonsis? A DOUBLE ear infection. Poor guy! Elliot made it through cold and flu season last year without one...but to get one already this year...does that mean we're in for more? Agh! I don't want to think about it! We're 36 hours into anti-biotics and Elliot is back to his normal self- playing, babbling, getting into everything, and, most importantly- laughing and smiling again.

Emma Krumbees

This weekend we took Elliot to Belle Plain, MN to Emma Krumbees (a restaurant/ orchard/ bakery type place) for their annual Scarecrow Festival. Now I've never experienced a Scarecrow Festival before, but it's evidently the thing to go see everyfall. People from all over MN submit their scarecrow entry, and for the month of October they're on display. We saw batman scarecrows, Michael Phelps scarecrows, a really creepy witch scarecrow wearing a Kiss mask, and an "American Gothic" scarecrow pair, just to name a few. Some people went ALL out. Elliot thought some were more interesting than others, but mostly I think he was just excited we let him out of the stroller and let him explore.

After checking out all the scarecrows, it was on to the maze. Elliot led the way, evidenced by all the "back of the head" shots I have. At first he went down EVERY path, but after having to turn around a few times he started to figure it out, and soon he led the three of us out of the maze.

Then it was on to the silly cemetary. Each "tombstone" has some sort of rhyming epitaph (like Humpty Dumpty, Rest in Pieces).

And finally, he got to sit way up high on the pumpkin wagon. He thought that was really cool. One of his favorite sayings right now is "Wooooooooooooah!" Every thing is Woah! It is really, really cute. :)

To end our journey, we stopped at the Taco Johns in St. Peter for supper. Taco Johns, for those of you who don't know, is kinda like a Taco Bell, but a step up (a small step). They're famous for their Potato Oles (think small tator tot w/ seasoning). Dip one of those in nacho cheese sauce and you're in Tex-Mex heaven, if your arteries hold up. ANYWAY, while we were there, eating our lovely meal, the employees must have been bored out of their minds because three of them took turns dressing in their mascot costume- Taco John himself (he kinda looks like Guy Smiley with darker hair and a sombrero) and walking out to the street corner to flag down some business. At about the same time a guy in a red car got pulled over, and he pulled into the Taco Johns parking lot. So while this guy is getting pulled over, out walks good ol' Taco John and does a little lap around the patrol car. And we're inside watching this whole thing. Elliot is nuts about the flashing lights, and this cartoon costume dude who keeps waving at him. But then things took a turn for the worst for the man who was pulled over- he got arrested! The cuffed him and everything (yeah, Anna, that's usually what they do when they arrest people)! Kyle had to add- Hey, they're using REAL handcuffs and not just those pastic zip lines! Then they searched his car. What a dinner show! Elliot got to see his first arrest at 16 months! What's next?

A Car Ride With Elliot

Elliot is quite the chatter box in the car. No matter where we go, he's always got something to say. He also likes to take of his shoes and socks in the car, which is fun when we need to be someplace that requires him wearing shoes. We'll see how long that lasts once it gets cold! This video was taken on our way back from Emma Krumbee's Scarecrow Festival. Hopefully, I'll get the pics up from our little day trip soon!