Moms Talk: Favorite Fall Activities

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We put this week's question to our North Potomac-Darnestown Patch for their ideas and advice. The suggestions don’t end here. Add your own tips and advice in the comments section below.

This week's question comes from , a contributor and North Potomac-Darnestown Moms Council member.

What are your favorite fall activities? Going to pick apples and pumpkins or to a football game? Any interesting or unusual traditions or outings?

Oh, how I LOVE the change of seasons in Maryland! After the sometimes unbearable heat off the summer, we all look forward to the cooler “crispy" days of fall. Some of our faves: hike Sugarloaf Mountain, walks and bike rides on the canal, Friday night football games at , and exploring things to do and see around Shenandoah National Park. Of course, we always squeeze in a trip to a pumpkin patch/apple farm. But, the best thing about fall, according to my 6-year-old is... jumping in piles of leaves!

I love the autumn—the weather is cooler and not so humid. I can run outside again and even the dog has more enthusiasm for getting out than during the summer. I also enjoy the routine of having the kids back in school. We don't have any family traditions—when the kids were younger we would go pick out pumpkins for Halloween. Now they are older they love to go up to the Markoff's Haunted Forest in Poolesville with a few friends. (For anyone who has not yet visited, this is truly an amazing experience). 

October is my time to get everything ready for winter and my passion in life: skiing. I make sure the kids have boots / clothes that fit, their skis are the right length and are waxed and sharpened, and I make sure I buy my ski passes before mid October to take advantage of the price discounts at the local ski resorts.

Nothing beats a trip to the pumpkin patch... always the highlight of autumn. Also, after a long warm weather respite, I start making pumpkin pies again in the fall. I am not a big fan, but for some reason my kids all love pumpkin pie, so pie with a dollop of whipped cream and they are thrilled...breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Fall is such a fun time that we try to fit in as many activities as possible, especially if they are outdoors. We go to a football game or two, find a pumpkin patch, and a trip to Sugarloaf Mountain (and winery!) is always fun. The kids are always performing at some type of Oktoberfest which takes us to a festival. None of it is particularly unique or interesting, so I look forward to finding out new and exciting ideas from you all!