Thinking about the fall really warms my heart. From simply jumping into a pile of leaves, to visiting the pumpkin patch and Halloween night, it truly is my favorite time of year! I can only attribute that to the wonderful memories I have from when I was a girl. Little events my parents took me to, year after year, eventually grew into family traditions rich with love and meaning. These traditions are now passed down to my children, and I hope they continue to get passed down for years to come. Below you can find a few ideas to share with your loved ones this fall.
Catch a Game
I can remember going to Friday night football games when I was a girl. It was always a fun night filled with popcorn, hot chocolate, and some touchdowns to boot! You can create lasting memories with your kids by checking out some of the local high school sports games in your neighborhood. If you have yet to choose a favorite team and want to catch a good game, then look no further than this week’s match-up as No. 1 Tualatin takes on No. 2 Lake Oswego on Friday, October 8th at 7:00 pm at Tualatin High School. Both teams are currently 5-0 and fighting for that number 1 spot. It’s sure to be an exciting game to share with your little football fans!
Get Crafty
What is it about the fall that makes us want to tap into our creative side? For me, I think it started with those leaf prints in elementary school. The way you could capture so many beautiful details of a leaf by simply running a crayon along a piece of paper was just amazing! Even though I had to help scrub the crayon off of the dining room table, it was totally worth it once we hung up those leaf prints! Of course, you can do many fall crafts at home with the family; sometimes, it’s fun to have a little guidance. You can join the Scrap Spectacular Celebrations in a Spooky Doll Making workshop. The event will take place on Saturday, October 9th, at 2:00 pm at Scrap PDX.
Make a Costume
This one kind of brings back bittersweet memories for me. We didn’t have a ton of money, and homemade costumes were pretty much all that were available to my siblings and me. Some of them were okay, but there were a few years when we were simply mortified (sorry, mom, we know you tried). When my kids were little, I was totally okay with buying a costume off the rack. After all, who has the time (or the sewing skills) to make an outfit your child would be proud of or willing to wear out in public? However, I must admit, with the price of costumes going up so drastically year to year, I have been trying to find other options. I am not a skilled seamstress, so I tend to find pieces from thrift stores and piece together costumes for my kids. They let me know what they want to be, and I figure out how to put it together. This year I plan on trying to pick up a few pieces at the Halloween Costume Swap taking place in Irving Park this Saturday, October 9, from 12:00-4:00 pm. To participate, the event organizers ask that you bring clean, usable costumes, decor, or other Halloween contributions.
Take a Hike
I love hiking with my family just about any time of year; however, there’s something incredibly magical about taking a hike during the fall months. I like to slip into a sweater, lace up my hiking boots and seek out the perfect fall hike. The way the leaves crackle and crunch beneath your feet and the crisp sensation of the air as it hits your face, allow your senses to come alive as you take in the world around you. This fall, you can join the Forest Park Conservancy on Saturday, October 16th, from 10:45 am-2:00 pm for a Guided Walk Through Forest Park. This particular hike might be better suited for older kids as it is quite lengthy, but it is open to everyone. FPC is trying to encourage more youth leaders and members of the Latinx community to visit the park. It’s focusing on creating spaces for those who find accessing the park difficult or new to these outdoor experiences.
Carve a Pumpkin
Every year we go to the pumpkin patch as a family, searching for the perfect pumpkin to carve. It takes time and careful consideration to choose the best gourd for the job, but we manage to find suitable choices each year. Then, a few days before Halloween, we get to work gutting and carving pumpkins until we create the perfect (or sometimes perfectly imperfect) jack-o-lanterns. This year you can join other creative members of the community to participate in Pumpkin Carving in the Park. This event will take place on Saturday, October 16th, at Peninsula Park from 1:00-4:00 pm. Pumpkins will be provided, but please bring your own carving tools and be sure to pack your masks to keep yourself and other members of the community safe.
Angela lives in SE Portland with her husband, four kids and their dog. She views parenting as one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of her life. Her kids range in age from six to fourteen and each one shines in their own unique way. She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as staying active! She likes attending local events and exploring the culinary scene in Portland. She’s a self proclaimed foodie who admittedly needs help mastering proteins but claims to make a mean chocolate chip cookie. Some of her favorite activities include spending time in nature, playing soccer, reading, camping, hiking and just hanging with the fam! She sees each day as an opportunity to start fresh and learn something new.