We have done some serious Pumpkin Patch visiting this past week. I guess that's what happens when you have three kids on three different schedules.
So how to accommodate all three and still get those patch visits in? Well, it went something like this...
First up was the "little patch". This was the visit designed for our lovely Lucy. We didn't want to stray too far from home with the wee one so we pumpkin purchased just down the road. The big kids amused me by getting dressed up in their pumpkin suits, posing for pictures with Lu and making sure this visit was all about our newest addition.
This officially goes down as Lucy's first patch visit. Love it!
Then we did the "big patch". This was an all day Saturday event at a real farm and it was geared towards Jack and Maggie. The big kids absolutely had a blast. This is what they had been looking forward to since our little tease just a few days before.
This time we let Lucy stay home and enjoy naps in the comfort of her own crib, but boy did I miss her. I had a moment of selfish Mommy when I debated...take her with us because I really want to be with her or let her get the sleep she deserves? Logic won out on that one. {and the fact that I'm really ready to get her sleeping through the night}
And finally we did the "up north patch". This was a playdate of sorts for my only child who is on the "not in big school and not a newborn" schedule...my Maggie. Who said being in the middle was tough? If you ask me, "Maggie in the Middle" is getting the good end of the deal these days.
Okay, so on to the patches...{but, I must warn you...this post if very picture heavy, rightfully so after 3 visits, don't you agree?}
Little Patch
I think it only fitting that we start the "little patch" pictures with my littlest pumpkin.
This is the first time I've had a baby this young at the Pumpkin Patch trying to take pictures. Hmmm...the challenges. The best I could think to do was this. The other option was to lay her in the dirt with giant orange balls. {Love her too much for that.}
And although this patch visit was all about Lucy, I couldn't let Jack and Maggie get off scot free. They had to endure a few solo pumpkin pictures too. Which they graciously did.
Then I sent them out into the Great Pumpkin Maze {where they each declared "I won" all 36 times they went through it} and I...
...focused on my little Lucy. I can't decide what she enjoyed more...all the orange or the amazing breeze. The evening was absolute perfection {minus the glaring sun}. Each time the wind blew through her little wispy hairs she perked right up. And it was the kind of perk that says "oooh this is nice" in a newborn kind of way.
Because I feel like I know Lucy pretty well by now, I can honestly say she enjoyed every minute of this outing. She was in complete awe with all her senses in full use. Newborns are pretty incredible little creatures {if only they came out sleeping through the night}.
Regardless it was a fabulous first time visit for my littlest one. And only because I can't let the moment pass to use this cliche...she was by far the cutest pumpkin in the patch.
Maggie took a brief hiatus from the maze to bring Lucy her very own pumpkin. After all, that is why I told the kids we were going to the little patch...to get Lucy a pumpkin. Jack and Maggie each took the mission of finding their little sister the perfect pumpkin very seriously.
Lucy was able to enjoy the sun and wind in her face from the comfort of Daddy's arms too. Again, our little one was completely content while soaking it all in.
And this is what a family picture with three kids at the little patch looks like. A bit hectic, but so worth it. The only mistake I made was waiting until departure time to do this. You would think I would have learned after Lucy's newborn session...family photo first...or forget it.
Big Patch
Okay, get ready for some fun. This was a fab Saturday. Only thing missing was Lucy. Other than that no complaints from me. Be prepared to add this to your list of favorite farms.
After much research, I decided our family would try heading South for the annual Pumpkin Patch/Farm visit. Seems counter intuitive, doesn't it? But, we needed pumpkins, a kid friendly maze {per Jack's request} and animals {because I know thats what makes Mags happy}.
The only farm I could find that fit the whole bill was Southern Belle Farm. It had everything we were looking for and so much more {and I mean soooo much more}. And the best part? It was only 40 minutes south of town. Much better than some of the hour, hour and a half away farms north of the city that I was considering.
The farm was great and the weather was even better. {don't let my kids attire fool you-I bundled them up when we got out of the car and for some reason neither one of them would part with their layers-even when the temps hit the 70s...who knows?}.
So here they are. The big kids hitting Southern Belle Farm. {I can't believe my Mags is in the "big kid" category now}
We started our farm visit with goat feeding...
... and cow watching. Old Belle is right over that fence and she was doing some serious moooooing.
Then we hit the attractions of the farm. This was seriously like an amusement park, only down home country style.
This was the "corn cannon". That good ol' boy in the camo hat there loaded the cannon with corn cobs. Then Jack shot them out at moving targets. This was great fun for Jack until the cannon jerked back and hit him in the mouth. A bloody mouth, a bottle of water, and several napkins later, I am praying his tooth is okay. It was loose by evening and according to his dentist's x-rays at his last visit...this is not the tooth that should be going first...yikes!
How great are these pedal go carts? I even got in on the action. I wouldn't mind having one of these at home...they are actually pretty fast and don't stop too easily either. Dangerously fun.
Of course, there always has to be some sort of bounce attraction. This was the bounce pillow. Jack followed this with the cow bounce house. Jack never turns down a good jump. Somehow, Maggie always opts out of the bouncies...in time I'm sure.
But these bouncies were right up her alley, especially since she could ride with Mommy. Pony races for the whole family {even Grandma}.
And ever since Lucy's birth, my hair belongs on "Hair Gone Wild". Seriously, what is it about having a baby that does crazy things to your hair...or is it just me?
After pony races, Jack gave the duck races a try. Pretty clever apparatus, huh?
Geez, we were having so much fun we almost forgot to visit the pumpkin patch. A REAL pumpkin patch that is. After a quick lesson on the growing cycle of a pumpkin, my kiddos took a rest for some patch pictures.
We made it quick because there was still so much to do. My little navigators checked out the map to determine what was next.
And it was the Cow Train. Grandma joined Jack and Maggie in the car behind them. After one bumpy ride around the farm and Jack was ready for his anticipated visit to the corn maze.
There were three mazes of varying difficulty {one of the reasons this farm appealed to me in my research-I did not want to spend my entire day hanging out in corn stalks}. Anyway, we chose #1 {beginner level}. Jack was our self declared leader.
Off we went and out we came.
The last activity of the day was chosen by Maggie...pumpkin painting. Between these mini pumpkins and the ones from the Fall Festival, can you imagine what my porch looks like now? There is no shortage of pumpkins at the Cibula house.
Okay, so what did you think? Pretty great, huh? And that was only what I took pictures of {imagine if I had got a shot of that Piggie Race}! Definitely a new Cibula family tradition.
Up North Patch
Monday we headed up North for a Pumpkin Patch Playgroup organized by Erica. {we missed the Miccas who came down with Strep the morning of-get well soon friends!} . But, our little group of seven had a nice time regardless. Again perfect weather, add great company, pumpkins, and a dirty farm dog and it was an ideal Fall day.
We started with a hayride and lots of pictures. Our tractor driver was more than willing to appease these Mommies with lots of photos. He actually offered before we even got a chance to ask. I bet those big ol' bulky cameras hanging around our bodies were a tip off...the "mom"arrazi at it's best.
Maggie faked a nice smile for the group picture and then did her new tongue trick for her mommy and me photo. Lately a camera equals this tongue trick. Lucky me, huh?
The hayride took us out to the pastures and dropped us off with ponies, mini pumpkins, large pumpkins, and this photo op. I swear Maggie isn't that anti-social. She really does adore Eliza Kate, Ansley, and Landon. I'm thinking maybe Landon had just gotten up when I snapped this pic...hmmm.
And although Maggie loved her friends, she was really ready for that picture to be over with so she could make off with part of the display.
We all hiked over to the patch {after Maggie begrudgingly returned the floral arrangement}.
The farmers said we could each "have a little pumpkin and could purchase a large pumpkin". Well, seeing as how the Cibula porch is over run with pumpkins, I opted out of the purchase.
And Maggie? Well, where do I begin? She insisted on a "clean pumpkin". Kind of hard to find outside...in the dirt...on a farm...in the middle of a patch. We searched and searched. And each time Maggie declared, "I not want that pumpkin, it's dirty". She finally found one that semi-interested her. Erica let us borrow a wipe to "clean it" {check her out scrubbing it below}. And when it didn't become spotless, Maggie grumpily threw the mini pumpkin down and said, "it still dirty".
So I gave up...and so did she.
Then we went and had a picnic lunch. And this is when these two girls got the giggles. Music to my ears.
After chasing Macy, the muddy farm dog, we all headed over to the tractor and playground. Maggie drove Eliza Kate to the "princess show" and the "farm". Way too adorable.
And then I drove my Mags home from her last Pumpkin Patch visit of the season {in our car though, not on the tractor}. This mommy is seriously pumpkined out.
Happy Fall to All!
