The day before Halloween and Lindsay and I had made plans for a field trip with our kiddos to a farm that she heard about online. I honestly was a little hesitant but Lindsay insisted she heard really great things about it and she mentioned her husband was going, so I felt good about it. I was excited for the long drive with my coffee through the backroads. I was not looking forward to leaving and being there right at Bryan's nap time. The farm didn't open until 12 and that was right at Bryan's nap. I left early and had packed the kid's lunches for the car. We all snacked and ate while we made our way through the winding tree-lined roads. It was lovely.
We got there right on time after passing it and turning around. Lindsay and Brandon were unloading their car as we pulled in. I got my stroller all set up and all of us bundled up because it was a wet fall day!
Boy was I in for a treat. Like seriously I did not have a clue as to how incredibly happy this place was to have made me feel. It was all decorated for Halloween and was definitely the most spooky thing my kids have ever done for Halloween! It was super fun! I hope to make this a tradition every year.
The tour started out with a bang! Reindeer, fresh air, maskless faces, animals, and nature!
We were given so much time and so much bread to feed to these deer.
The owner gave us a detailed story of how he acquired these deer just in time before it became illegal. How they can't bread with the other breads around here if they do happen to escape and his family history with the farm.
The kids asked all their names and were enjoyed unrushed time with these amazing animals. My heart was bursting. And little Bryan was loving taking it all in from the comfort of his warm cozy stroller.
Eliana and John are both not shy with animals at all.
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| The tongue on this one! |
John is such a little stud muffin
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What a cool childhood!
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My sweet babies and I. So happy to get these experiences with them! What a gift! This time of homeschool with them truly is a gift and something I dreamed of long ago, with a baby, and here I am. It is really surreal to me.
We went into a goat pen next that also had some horses and sheep. This place was just getting better and better.
Now bringing out the baby goats! Seriously!
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I am so thankful for my sister and her family, I love them so much
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Lindsay is a joy to have as a sister
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Bryan was so well behaved! He sat there and animals were coming up to him. He got a little nervous at times, and rightfully so! But he did so well, it made for such a great experience!
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| Sweet cousins! |
The owner had so much information, so many stories, and so much patience with these kids. He was such a pleasant person to be around. He made learning about the animals so much fun and interesting. He was so laid back and let my kids really get to experience the animal's hands-on without fear.
He was so shocked that this horse liked John. He said that this horse usually only likes girls and never likes boys. I told him, "Well John does have a pretty face". What a good lookin boy! But seriously this horse loved him!
Eliana was in animal heaven! Lindsay told me that she knew I always said how well Eliana was with animals and such, but she was amazed at the fact that she really was! Eliana loves animals, no fear, and manhandles them!
After our trip in the pen with the goats and such, we made our way on the trail along a creek that led to an enchanting field of bright green grass where horses frolic. It was indeed as dreamy as I make it sound!
The kids played with the horses. I felt like I was in a movie, or another country, or a dream. It was so refreshing! Blue skies poking out and my kids frolicking with ponies freely.
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| Among the trees and the creek |
Each child picking a pony
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| This horse really did love John. It was so sweet! |
We then made our way across a bridge, as he explained the salmon run to us. Look how enchanting it is! Even on a wet fall day. I bet in the summer this place is even more magical.
After trying to summon the salmon with food to no avail, we made our way to the bird area.
The geese were super loud and Evie was not into it. I don't blame her. He explained to us how back in world war two they used geese as guard dogs. He was full of information like this and more the whole time. He almost never stopped talking, but in the most pleasant way.
I was shocked at my kids with birds. I am not into birds, like at all. The feel of their little claws on me is ew to me.
The was a really pretty bird though
The kids got to pick eggs and feel fresh eggs. It was so neat.
We then finished the tour with the koi pond and a turtle and a turtle dove!
The kids got to pick treat bags before we left. He had a whole little station after they washed their hands to pick Halloween treats. We were in such a good mood and had such a great time. We all were just beaming. Bryan did so well, having my stroller was no problem, the kids got to eat treats on the long drive home. Bryan came home and got to take a good nap. And Kyle made homemade pizza on a Friday night before Halloween. It was a good day!
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| One of the two pizzas made by Kyle, he makes them the best! |
This experience was just what my soul was craving and I am so thankful to the Lord that we live in an area where something like this is possible and available to us. These are the perks of homeschool that Lindsay and I hope to include a lot more of as we homeschool alongside each other. Just super thankful for this experience and this life.
