Black Island Farm

One of our very good friends, Megan, invited us to go along on a presc field trip with them several weeks ago to get pumpkins. The kids were all so very excited that morning as we were moving car seats into one car and getting ready to go that we almost couldn't get them to listen to get in the car! Eventually, we were able to leave the house with everyone safely buckled in. One of the things our girls love to do is read books. Because I get bored reading the same books over and over again, we have become very familiar with our local library. We had recently picked up a book called "The Bumpy Little Pumpkin" by Margery Cuyler. Rachel wanted to take it in the car with us, so I figured why not? As we were on our way to the pumpkin patch, we read this cute book. Each of the bigger kids were set on finding themselves a bumpy little pumpkin by the time we finished the book.

There were so many things to do at the farm. We started with a hay ride, which, once again, disappointed Rachel by not having any hay to sit on. We rode out into the farm fields and stopped to see how cabbage sand carrots grow. They even picked a little cabbage and some carrots to pass around for us to try. 

Then we were able to climb down and walk through the pumpkin patch in search of our very own bumpy little pumpkin. We walked and walked farther and farther away from the group as Rachel searched, checking each pumpkin to see if it was hers. After leaving everyone else far behind, she finally declared that she had found her perfect bumpy little pumpkin! Then she stood and patiently waited her turn to have it cut from the vine. Meanwhile, Alexa just followed eating her carrot.

Once we had our pumpkins and had ridden the hay ride back to the entry, we went and explored all of the many other things that were available for us. We found a big cow bounce house that the girls immediately ran to jump into. After that, they closed everything for the pig races! 

In walking to observe the pig races, we found a music area made with old parts from farm equipment. Since we got rid of our piano when we moved, I have noticed the girls get so excited when they are around musical instruments. They loved playing the drum set! There were giant slides, too!

One of the things I noticed about everything is that there is something for all ages! The big slides were really too big for our little girlsto go alone, but they had little slides, too. They spent so much time going up and down these slides!

After we had to pull the kids away for a lunch break, we found something even more exhilarating...a train ride!  The rule was they had to sit down for the ride. Since Alexa doesn't seem to be able to sit down while eating her lunch sometimes, I had to ride with her. 

Rachel determined the train driver was driving just a little crazy as we went over bumps in a plowed field, drove in circles and through a corn of a corn field. We had dust blown into our mouths and the bumpy ride made Megan and I realize that we are getting older and would rather not ride one again! The kids had so much fun though!

The crowning glory as we were leaving was the swings. After playing so hard, this was what they could not leave without experiencing. Each of the kids picked a tire horse (or elk with antlers according to Rachel) to swing and spin on. 

So much fun they did their absolute best to stay awake on the car ride home. Whe finally submitted less than five minutes from home and Scott had to come help me carry them in.