We made our annual trip down south to Southern Belle Farm this weekend. And though this is only our second year visiting, I think it's fair to call it "annual". It is certainly a tradition that we will continue as long as the kids allow it.
It was nearly as fabulous as last year. But one, seriously visit changing, difference...it was scorching hot. I mean like give me a bathing suit, a pool, and a little umbrella in my drink kind of hot. I checked my iphone calendar repeatedly, and yes, it was indeed October. Just one of those "unseasonably warm days in Fall" as the meteorologist referred to it. I would like to refer to it as insanely unlucky on our end.
Oh, and to top it off. I couldn't stand the thought of my children being dressed in summer get up {which mind you, I've already packed away} at our Fall trip to the farm. Their pumpkin attire was way too warm {lots of corduroy} so I opted for their Halloween duds. I figured we would survive and most importantly, they would look cute in pictures.
Okay, so they looked cute, but I seriously deserve for my "Mother of the Year" title to be stripped. Poor kiddos were melting. Yet, somehow there was not one complaint from them. They probably didn't have a chance over my constant acknowledgment of the glaring sun and it's roasting rays. Me and my jeans were not happy.
So to get me through it, we took lots of breaks under the pavilion and spent a pretty penny on any and every ice cold beverage the farmers were selling. I have never been so HOT on a farm in my lifetime. It's safe to say, I was more than likely a very inept farmer in my other life.
But, as I mentioned, my kids were troopers. And had an absolute blast at that. They were looking forward to this day for the entire week leading up. Jack even mentioned bringing his map from last year. I chuckled it off and reminded him we could get new maps when we bought our tickets. And wouldn't you know, he went up to his room and came back down with his map from last year in pristine condition. What?!?! That's how much they love this place. And I must also note, that kid never ceases to amaze me.
So what makes this little farm so entertaining? Well, let me just show you...{go ahead and insert 90 degree weather here}
The biggest hit of our visit was this corn shack. Who would have guessed? It's basically a tiny little shack filled to your knees with corn kernels. Kind like a farmer's version of a sand box. The best part? It had a roof. Which meant shade. I spent many many minutes in here watching my kiddos go to town.
Maggie managed to find corn in her pants and in her shoes and other places we didn't discover until come bath time. But what she did find, we fed to the horses. Who needs to spend 25 cents on one of those food machines anyway?
As I recited our bedtime book,
The Big Red Barn, to Lucy, she stared completely enamored with the animals...until they got in her personal space.
We then hit the tube slide made out of some sort of farm material. Jack loved it. He went down at least three times. Maggie tried it solo for the first time this year...
...and probably shouldn't have.
She recovered {in Maggie time} and was happy to try out the Duck Races. Naturally she chose a pink one. And "won" every single time.
Next up was Jack's choice. If Maggie fell apart at the tube slide, this is where I almost did. Last year we opted for the Level 1 Corn Maze. Jack wanted to up the game and try Level 3. We compromised on Level 2. Now keep in mind it's 90 degrees outside, we have a stroller, and the terrain is that of a farm. Lord help us.
And this is where I stopped taking pictures of this little adventure and began screaming for "help". We actually never made it out. Well, we made it out, just not the right way. Jack was sorely disappointed, Lucy nearly had whip lash from the stroller ride, and I was somewhere on the verge of dehydration. I promised Jack we could try again next year when the weather permitted . I imagine he won't let me forget that little promise {and I'm secretly dreading it}.
I then changed Maggie's pants. She was making me have a heat stroke just looking at her and we headed up to the pavilion. Ice cold lemonade, shade, and pumpkin painting was awaiting us.
Lucy pleasantly surprised us by actually painting a pumpkin...along with eating the paint. No, that's not pink lipstick on her sweet lips.
And Jack certainly made me smile with his ability to scout out this unusual looking pumpkin and decorate it rather appropriately.
Next up, we headed out into the sun, yet, again. This time for a few rides.
I have to admit riding in the heat is better than walking in it. And please excuse my hair do. I took every contraption I could find to get it up and off of my skin i.e. rubber bands, bobby pins, chicken wire {okay, totally kidding about the latter}.
And this is where my second melt down {literally} almost occurred...out in the You Pick Flower Garden. Seriously, do we really have to do this activity? Oh, but we did. Maggie needed, and I quote, "flowers for her wedding day". How was I to say no to that?
Then it was back to the pavilion for another shade and refreshing beverage break. We strategically waited until the Pig Race before heading back out. And though you can't see the pigs, I promise they were racing around that there dirt track. Lucy got so excited about the squealing little Pot Bellies that she took her second set of FIRST STEPS right there! Go Lu! All it takes is a little fun on the farm motivation.
By this time, the sun was starting to hide behind the clouds on occasion. And luckily for my kiddos that meant the Jump Pillow wasn't like hot coals to their feet. We know this because we had tried it earlier in the day.
Lucy, of course, loved this thing just as much as the bigs. Only, I don't have a picture of her because she was glued to my arms for her bouncing.
And our culminating activity was the much awaited for Pumpkin Patch. Last year we got to see a real patch with pumpkins on the vine. But, according to one of the friendly farmers, "there's too much rain this year, them punkins didn't make it". I was very disappointed. It's definitely one of the interesting highlights of the farm. But, just like the sweltering sun, the lack of pumpkins on the vine didn't bother my trio one bit.
This prized pumpkin Jack chose is now gracing our friend's entrance, along with a smaller version chosen by Magpie.
That was our hot {and very fun and activity plentiful} Fall day on the farm. And back to those pumpkin outfits that didn't make our trip....it looks like we'll be making another Pumpkin Patch visit {much closer to home} when it cools off. I don't think my kiddos will mind a bit.
Happy Fall Ya'll!
