Thankfully, Nathan wanted to come with us, because the task of keeping up with all four of the kids by myself on some gigantic piece of land with tons of other people around was a little overwhelming to me. Daddy also handles all the disciplinary issues better than I do (if we have any). That's because the kids actually listen to him. Imagine that. Anyway...
The Elgin Christmas Tree Farm isn't too far from our house. It's a really family-friendly place and they have a lot of fun activities for kids. I'd never been before, but had seen lots of photos taken there and heard so many positive things about it. On Thursday the 13th, we packed some lunch and trooped over there.
The boys liked the little pumpkins the best.
I tried desperately to get the traditional "kids in the pumpkin patch" group shot, but they were anything but cooperative. Heh. Maybe next year? These two were the best, and they're not that great at all:
First up - the hayride! I recall very vividly a hayride that we took last year on Halloween. It was a completely unpleasant experience for me, because I was pregnant with Anna and thought I was going to be violently ill during the entire ride. Oh, boy. This year was much better!
All aboard!
They even had one wooded area decorated for Halloween. I thought the kids would be scared, but they wanted to go back a second time!
It was really awesome to see all the Christmas trees growing as we rode through the farm. There were some really cute little Charlie Brown trees, and some much larger, fluffy trees. You could tell that the lack of rain had affected the growth a little bit, but everything seemed to be pretty and green, for the most part. I would love to go back in the winter (if we even have a winter this year) and pick out a tree, if my allergies would allow it.
Heh heh.
Next, we decided to do our own version of "Children of the Corn," and go through the hay maze. Ethan led the way, because he informed us that we would just manage to get ourselves lost without him. Thank the Lord he was there, or we might have been in serious trouble.
Okay, Ethan, tell us which way to go!
March, march, march...
"This way! We have to go this way!"
"No! There's no way out over here! Go the other way!"
We survived. Don't they look thrilled?
They actually did really like the maze, and wanted to go back a second time before we left. I think it works a lot better for short people (yes, even shorter than I am), but it was still pretty fun!
After the maze, the kids wanted to decorate pumpkins. With the price of admission, each child gets a little miniature pumpkin that they can make their own with markers, yarn, etc. So, we sat down at some picnic tables and let them have fun.
Getting supplies and instructions.
Nicholas is giving his pumpkin a face.
Redheaded pumpkins.
Go figure.
Uh oh. Zoe has scissors!
Even Anna got a pumpkin!
She just wanted to eat it, so Daddy decorated hers.
He did a pretty good job!
Ethan was proud of his work.
There are quite a few animals at the farm, and the boys really liked watching them. Zoe was a chicken, so Nathan had to carry her around practically the entire time we were there.
"Watch out, they spit!"
Jenny the Donkey.
She was so cute!
At the entrance there is another maze. I retreated to the car to feed a hungry Miss Anna, and Nathan took the kids through.
I think this one was more difficult, because they certainly spent a lot more time running through.
You'll notice that Ethan is still leading the way (our resident know-it-all).
Mr. Lizard, Keeper of the Orange Maze.
We ate a quick lunch, and played near the picnic tables for a little while.
Looks dangerous!
Somehow I don't see that working well.
Next, we went to check out the Duck Races! Basically, there is a stand with two old-fashioned water pumps side by side. The water you pump flows into an elaborate downhill maze of PVC pipe and ends at your feet. Two people pick a rubber duckie, place them at the starting points, and...Ready, Set, GO!!
Go, Nicky, go!
Zoe wasn't quite tall enough, and couldn't really get the water going by herself.
Daddy makes it all better.
We managed to get a quick "family" shot near the pumpkins (minus Mommy the photographer, of course), and it really turned out to be fairly decent. Getting four exhausted children to cooperate was a little tricky. Can't wait until we try to work with an actual photographer to get a really good photo. Blech... :(
Hey, Honey...next time, lose the shades and hat. :)
Love you!
We did a lot of really fun things within just a few hours. The kids were definitely tired afterward (hooray for long naps!). I definitely recommend the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm for family outings. All of the workers we encountered were super friendly and helpful, and really went out of their way to make sure we were having a ton of fun. It's a great place, and I am really looking forward to seeing what they have to offer during the holidays.
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