Our Fall Tradition, Times Two

Every fall, we like to take the boys out to a pumpkin patch/apple orchard, if for no other reason than for me to take a few pictures of the boys with pumpkins so that I can say "Yay! We have our annual pumpkin patch photos! :)

Honestly, that might have been the case a few years ago when the boys (all three of them) weren't as "into" the patch as I was.  But as the boys (all three of them) have gotten older, they've gotten a bit more excited about making our annual visit and are more participatory in picking out pumpkins and taking part in the farm activities.

This year, Reed had the opportunity to visit the patch twice, as his very first preschool field trip visited Grandma's Pumpkin Patch a few weeks ago.  I was lucky enough to be able to tag along, and although it was a bit chilly and breezy, it was a fun morning spent with my little guy and his classmates.

The kids were introduced to a variety of farm animals: Troy the donkey, the peacocks, 2-week old baby chicks, the llamas, and the goats.

Fun goat fact: don't be afraid to feed them.  They can't bite you because they don't have any top teeth!

We then were able to go on a hayride through the corn field, and minus the incredibly muddy conditions that almost caused the trailer to slide off the path, it was a fun little ride. :)  Reed then played just a bit with the various climbers they had available, but it was getting pretty cold, so we were ready to head home.  Before doing so, Reed was able to pick a pumpkin and a coloring book to bring home with him.

Not too shabby for his first field trip!

This last Saturday, then, was our chance to head to the patch with the whole family.  Unfortunately, it was just as cold and just as breezy as it was on the previous visit!  But the perk of going when we did was that we went as guests of our realtor/realty company as a part of a customer appreciation event.

With Drew along this time, there was much more exploration, climbing, and playing.  Both boys were wanting to climb and swing and slide and get dirty, which was all well and good until it started to rain.

Thankfully, it didn't last long, and we headed into the field to pick our pumpkins.

By the time we had chosen our two, and I convinced the boys to just squat for a second so I could rattle off a few photographs, Brad and I were cold enough to call it good and head back home.  The boys, on the other hand, were wanting to stay.  On a warmer morning, I would have been thrilled.  

Next year, boys.  Next year. :)