Last Times to the Farm

Our family is officially getting "old". We are coming up on what will likely be our last activities together before A) Caleb leaves the house or B) the activities become uncool because everyone is too grown up to enjoy them anymore. I was realizing this year that going to the pumpkin patch and going through the corn maze at the farm may well be one of those such activities. 

Back when Caleb and Brendan were toddlers, preschoolers or even elementary schoolers, they were so thrilled to go to the pumpkin patch. They would go with our playgroups, for preschool or school field trips, or just when we went as a family. Going on hay rides, riding on mini tractors and taking pictures with their mini pumpkins were a thrill a minute. Now, the lustre is pretty much gone. That could be because they are literally getting too physically large to participate in most of the activities. 

Either, way, I know that our days are numbered on this one. So, I resolved to make the most of it while I could (even though Jacob was working and missing out). I had no other choice, but to put the sad stuff out of my mind and focus on the possibilities.

So....we got there right when it opened and waited in the massive line for their hot and freshly made (and allegedly "world famous") pumpkin donuts. Due to the ridiculously long line, we passed up the opportunity last year, but this time we resolved to get 'er done early.

And they were REALLY yummy. Nothing like a hot donut!

As it happened, since we got their early, we also ended up being the first ones in line at the little pony ride they were setting up. None of the boys had been on a horse before and Riley was the only one small enough to ride the little ponies. I really, really wanted him to take the opportunity, but he was his usual nervous self. As we were waiting for the two ladies to set things up and lovingly dress the little horses up in their cute Halloween headbands, I was trying to persuade Riley to give it a try while he kept commending about how much he thought they smelled. No way could he ride on those smelly animals! It was super embarrassing! The ladies clearly looked offended when he said it. Their mouths literally dropped. I told him that they just smelled like they lived outside, which was totally normal. One of the ladies said that most people LIKE the way that horses smell. (nice try, lady) Then, one of the ponies passed gas. It was kinda hilarious. And Riley freaked out about how "gross" it was (cuz no one in OUR house ever poots, right?). Again, I tried to smooth things over with the argument that it is (again) totally normal and that he should stop complaining. Then he started acting like he was going to back out. The other boys tried to convince him to give it a try since they couldn't do it themselves, and finally he reluctantly relented.

Well, that there was a genuine smile. By the end (as is usually the case with anything new), he was glad that he'd tried it. Little stinky.

Then we went in to do some of the other activities like the giant pedal cars.

They also had something new this year. There were two huge piles that were on wooden tracks, and you got inside them and ran like a hamster in a ball. Then it would hit the hay at the end and you would turn around and come back. Caleb race Brendan and Riley. And one of my former Laurels, Emily Fletcher, was working the activity! It was fun to see her, too!

The maze was next, and the boys were very eager to see if they could get really lost and then figure their way out. No joke, though, we literally went in, turned right, turned right again and came right back out on the first try!!! I was stunned. Poor maze design, I think. But we gave it another try in a different entrance, ignoring the obvious exits and got ourselves really into it before coming back out. Brendan was the first to find his way out.

We finished off the morning with a ride around the farm on the tractor pulled trailer. It was a GORGEOUS fall day. Actually, we have had glorious fall weather lately. The temps have been mild and the sky blue. What a great time to get out!