Pumpkin Patch #2

Today's big adventure was going to a pumpkin patch!  A few weeks ago we went with Shane's preschool class, and today we joined other homeschool families for some fall fun at Pete's Pumpkin Patch.  It was especially exciting for the kids as we have seen this particular pumpkin patch numerous times (it is visible from the 101 freeway in Camarillo), but we were yet to visit it. 

Upon arriving the kids ran through the hay maze.  It was the perfect size for my kids to enjoy! 

After hearing about how pumpkins grow and the different stages of growth, we went on a hayride through the farm.

Part of the hayride took us up on the huge pumpkin hill.  So after we were finished, naturally the kids wanted to hike up the hill!  The plan was for Faith to pull Shane in the wagon as she thought the hike would be too challenging for him, but they didn't make it much farther than a few yards!!  I took over pulling the wagon, and will admit that I only made it part of the way up the hill doing so as it was so heavy!!  I didn't see anyone make it all the way up with a wagon!  But all three of us did make it to the top - me still getting a great workout as I carried Shane!

This was the view from the top.  The picture doesn't show it well enough, but we were able to see the ocean and even the Chanel Islands!

Super Shane can always find something on which to jump off!!  At least this time he was jumping from bales of straw into straw piles - a relatively gentle landing spot!

And the best part of the morning was that two of Faith's friends, who are sisters, from Awana were on the field trip with us!  Here she is with one of the girls.  And the mom of these girls is Faith's Awana leader!  It really made the whole field trip at the pumpkin patch even better as Faith loved having these friends with her, and we spent the entire time with them as they were literally the first family we saw when arriving.  As we were leaving and the girls were saying goodbye, the girl who is pictured with Faith asked me if Faith was home schooled.  When I told her that she is, this sweet girl started clapping and jumping up and down and was just so thrilled!  It was too cute!  My thought - what a blessing!