Annual Cox Farm Trip

Our weekends have been slammed so we surprised Timmy at pick up one Monday, along with Aunt Becky, and took our annual trip to Cox Farms.  It was a perfect day to be there, no coats needed, no crowds, and just over two hours to fit in all of our favorite activities, and all of my favorite photo ops!  (Tim will enjoy my adding this story: When we were getting out of the car I told the kids, "Come here, I have pumpkin shirts for you to wear."  And Tyler asked, "Why?"  I'm pretty sure Tim told him that was a good question, he definitely laughed at me.  I think the pictures speak for themselves as to "Why" though!)

The obstacle course is always a big hit for Timmy!  Tyler got right in there this year too, beating Tim to the top of the first platform.  He watched Timmy jump, his eyes got big, and he shrieked, "I jump now?!"  We told him to wait for Daddy, but Tim barely got a hold of his hand before Tyler jumped!

The slides used to take Timmy some warming up to each year, but this year he remembered how fun they were and took off for the first one ahead of the rest of us.  Becky asked Tyler to go with her, he looked at it for a second and stated, "Nope.  Not gonna do it." and ran in the opposite direction.  I caught up to him, scooped him up, and headed up the hill.  He didn't argue.  We rocketed down that thing, completely off of the slide and into the dirt!  Tyler happily went down the slides the rest of the time.

The goats were a little aggressive this year, being that we were there on a weekday evening instead of on a Saturday with hundreds of other people.  They really didn't give us much choice as to whether we wanted to feed them or not!  Once we were out of food they were less interested in us though, and the boys were comfortable enough to go up to them and pet some of them.  Especially the adorable babies.

I didn't have to ask them to pose in any of these, this year they were asking me to take their pictures!

The hay ride is nice and long, and corny, and the kids loved it!

We spent the most time on this huge slide.  Becky and Tim took the boys, then Tim and I took the boys, then Timmy took off, going down as many times as he could, while the three adults took turns walking Tyler back up the hill!  We got our exercise there!

We had some cider and apple donuts while Timmy and Tyler climbed on the wooden train and pirate ship play sets and did a few more photo ops.

Our first ever trip to Cox Farm, Tim and Timmy took a fantastic picture in this cut out.  I insist on a redo every year!  This years is another framer!

On the way out we stopped for them to play in the hay bale structure for a while, they posed sweetly for me before dashing in.

We each picked out our take home pumpkins, in previous years this has been a lengthy process, they each picked within about one minute this year!

I was beyond happy with how good natured the boys were the whole time we were there, especially with such a short window of time to do everything.  They even cooperated and gave me their best smiles on our way out.  These pictures make me so happy!  I love when they love on each other and escalate each other's good mood!

Fall First Grade Field Trip

The Fall Fun continued for Timmy with his class field trip to Frying Pan Park.  I happily chaperoned again this year and got to walk around with Timmy and two classmates.  Our first task was to go on a scavenger hunt for different types of animals on the farm.

After our scavenger hunt we met up with the whole class and listened to one of the farm workers talk about what life was like back when Frying Pan Farm was first built, what kids school days were like, and about chores in the 1930's.

After listening about the chores, the kids got to try some out for themselves!  They washed wash cloths with a washing board, ringer, and hung them on the line to dry.

This is the face I got when I told him I was going to get him one so he could do his own laundry!

Next they got to try their hand at pumping water and carrying it to fill a wash tub.  They had learned that families had to fill these tubs, carrying water from the pump to the kitchen, so the whole family could bathe once a week.  They found it fascinating that the whole family would use the same water, with the youngest person bathing first, all the way up to the dad going last.

Last we attempted a class photo and the kids got to enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back to school!

Fall Fun Kick Off ~ Tent Party

School, Sports, and Fall Fun have been in full swing around here for a few weeks now!  Our first venture into fall activities was joining the Vidnovic Clan on their annual Tent Party!  It was the first time in years that we've been able to join, and it was the boys first time camping!  Lots of our college friends came, including Natalie and family, Sami and Miller, Ryan and Marilee, Billy, and Sarah McDonald.  It was great to spend so much time with everyone, with nothing to do but sit around and talk!  The boys said they definitely want to go camping again, so I'd call it an overall success!

Decent idea... mostly horrible execution - all by Billy