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Another Farm Today?

So we've been visiting a lot of farms lately, thanks to my fascination with locally grown foods.  But usually when we drive up we see a barn of sorts or some animals.  Today, we saw... a castle!   Kate was thrilled of course.  "There are princesses at this farm?" She asked.  Well sort of.  Elioak Clark Farm in Clarksville, MD, does have grass fed beef and a local produce stand, but they also have a Fairy Tale Adventure Park and a kids' petting "zoo".  Perfect way to spend a Friday with the cousins.  We had a shoe slide for the old woman with too many kids, there was a well where Jack and Jill tumbled, a crooked house, Miss Muffet and well, a few others.  The kids spent very little attention to the nursery rhyme part.  They were more interested in the "rides" and animals.

The first ride of the day was a hay ride.  Aunt Deb took the kids while I kept Nathan far away from the hay, due to a weird rash he had that finally went away.  (Didn't want to risk hay setting him off!) 

Apparently, Collin felt he could do a better job driving the tractor than the lady.  

After the hay ride Brenden, Kate and Collin hopped about Old Bessy (or Dora as it was), for a good ole' cow train ride.  I didn't know there was such a thing as a cow train until Friday.    

But the big event of the day was the Pony Ride!! Kate could not wait to climb on.  I was worried she was going to knock a little girl out of the way so she could go first.  After waiting a few minutes, Kate pushed forward for her turn.  Luckily her cousins are gentlemen and let their pushy cousin have her way and go first!

 Nathan had his first pony ride too.  Honestly, I thought he wouldn't do it.  The little guy continues to surprise me.  He LOVED it.  He wouldn't hold on, but that didn't stop him from having fun.  He didn't want to get off.  Guess, horseback riding will be in his future.

I  love Fridays. No work (for me).  Days with the kids and their friends or cousins.  A little adventure to start off our weekend. 

Oh, and we did stop by the Clark's produce stand on the way home for some zucchini, patty pan squash, tomatoes and cantaloupe.  Yum!

Strike!

  Taking three preschoolers bowling was a lot of fun!!  Debbie was flying solo for the weekend while Shaun was on travel in Chicago, so she invited us to join them for a little game of duck pin bowling on Saturday.  Kate was a little nervous never having bowled before, but she caught on quickly.

My favorite part of the afternoon was watching the kids' different stances while they bowled!

 

Brenden had the most mature form; he would just hurl the ball down the lane.  I'm surprised we didn't leave pot holes on the floor.  Collin was a little more delicate in his approach.  The methodical, careful strategy paid off for my little buddy.  Kate tried it all - launching it down the lane, rolling it between her legs, and even using multiple balls to try to move the balls that stopped mid-lane from lack of momentum.  :)

Nathan hung out with Mommy most of the time.  These days he doesn't like to be far away from his security blanket: MOMMA!   Of course, after awhile he insisted on trying his luck at the game too.  I think he concluded it might be easier once he learns how to walk.  Better luck next time, little fella!

 But at the end of the day, Collin was victorious!  Kate gave him a run for his money.  And well Bren...he kind of got bored somewhere along the line and wandered off.  So his score is a collection of various people bowling.  It really was a fun afternoon.  Great idea, Debbie!  Thanks for including us.

Santa Train

A few weeks ago, we all boarded a 1920's train in Walkersville and went for a little ride through the countryside. (Now, when I say ride, I mean crawl. I don't think we went over 10 mph the entire trip. But that was besides the point.) The kids were so excited to just be on the train, but they could barely contain themselves when they found out that SANTA was on the train too!!! They did a great job waiting for Santa to arrive to our car.

Nathan was a natural with Santa. He was all giggles and smiles. And the friendly, strange man dressed in funny clothes did not phase Nathan at all. I was so happy to get such great photos of Nathan and Santa on his first Christmas!!
Now Kate....well as can be expected, she wasn't as cooperative. All morning she couldn't wait to see Santa and sit on his lap and tell him that she wanted a snow globe for Christmas. But when the time came, she wouldn't go near him. UNTIL, Santa noticed the shiny Christmas tree on her tee shirt. She inched closer to show him her shirt, and she swooped her onto his lap for a quick photo. I guess this is an improvement from last year when Kate screamed so much on Santa's lap that no photo was taken!

It was a wonderful morning with family. My only wish is that Josh had not been ill so he could have joined us. We might need to do this again next year, so Daddy can come along too!

Gigi, Papa, and the Gang
(minus Nathan who was too busy eating to be bothered with a photo!)

Nathan and Mommy

Uncle Shaun, Collin and Collin's best buddy, Nathan!

Auntie Debbie and Brenden!

Papa with his little buddy!

This conductor was a riot. He took his job very seriously, and the kids had a lot of fun with him. Not sure what Kate was trying to communicate with this face - probably her pirate face ~ Argh Matie!

Trick or Treat

Well Kate had her first taste of Trick or Treating this year. Last Sunday (the 26th of Oct.) we met up with my parents, Shaun, Debbie and the cutest nephews ever! Our church had a special event called "Trunk or Treat" where the kids go from car to car around the church parking lot. The cars are often decorated in themes. It was cute. I personally think Collin's chubby cheeks are adorable in his cow outfit. (Unfortunately, my pictures of Brenden are on my computer, and I'm using Josh's to write this post. So I'll add more photos in a few days. Sorry, Little Buddy!)

Then, on the 31st Kate got a real treat! She was able to go out with her Seattle cousins and her Uncles Joe and Bryan who gallantly dressed up with the kids. Let's see, we had a bunny rabbit with real carrots (Hannah), a cheerleader (Briella), Robin (Silas), Ironman (Kaleb), a mummy (Samuel), a Mario Brother (Alex - sorry Alex I can't remember his name!)

Oh, and Daddy even dressed up too. (The pants he's wearing are his grandfathers! And they fit (really well actually)! Mommy came too, but stayed in the background and just pushed the stroller. She let Daddy show of his little Lady Bug!