Since Mother Nature hadn't cooperated on our family pumpkin patch trip, and since I was bound and determined that we would go on a hayride this year, one beautiful Wednesday afternoon we tried again.
I took TJ, Jojo, and our friend Rowan to Gull Meadow Farms, a pumpkin patch/cider mill/fall activity place. Gull Meadow Farms and Rowan's house are both on the opposite side of town from where we live, and I was trying to maximize our time, so we picked Rowan up about 2 pm. The tricky part: the hayrides don't start until 4 pm on weekdays. I knew that going in, but I was counting on donuts, the pumpkin patch and lots of room to run around to hold everyone's attention until 4. Eh, not so much.
The donuts were a hit though!
The boys soon grew tired of the pumpkin patch and started gazing longingly at the play area. I was determined we were only doing the hayride, as the play area was not cheap, but ultimately I had to give in, if for no other reason than my own sanity. It was so worth it--they had a blast! And really, I would have loved some of the activities too!
Even Jojo wants to go in the play area.
We started out small, at the water pumps.
Then the big boys discovered the bouncy pads. I couldn't get them off.
Jojo was not happy that he wasn't big enough for the bouncy pads.
The big boys also did a cornstalk slide (stacks of cornstalks created steps; the slide was a big tube), and we tried out the labyrinth. TJ ran ahead, Rowan lagged behind, and Jojo wanted to be carried. I spent half of the time in the labyrinth planning for how I could signal to some Good Samaritan to stop TJ if he left the maze while we were still deep inside. Happily, he got to the end and decided to run back to join us!
TJ also got a ride in the barrel train while Rowan bounced some more. At this point, Ed had joined us to go on the hay ride as well.
Where are the hayride photos, you ask?
Well, TJ had a meltdown, the line was really long, and we just decided to skip it. Maybe next year?
We headed home, ate a quick dinner, and put on costumes to go to a trunk or treat. If you're not familiar with the concept, people with decorated trunks and lots of candy park in a parking lot (ours happened to be the parking lot of the church where TJ goes to preschool and was put on by the church), and kids walk through the parking lot in a (fairly organized) line, trick or treating. I was skeptical at first, but it was great, especially with little kids who don't want to walk far! We'll be going next year for sure!
TJ's cowboy scarecrow (more on this later), with a cameo from Ed as Duff Man in the background.
A side view of the Jojo-saurus, showing off his cute back spikes.
Rowan the mummy
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