Patterson Farm

Nothing strikes fear in this Mom's heart more than hearing the words "Patterson Farm"uttered. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, read last year's Patterson Farm blog entry here.) I was so dreading this year's preschool field trip. I even contemplated being sick. (I kind of was sick, actually. Sick with fear!!)

But, I decided to suck it up and try to make the best of the situation. At least this year I would know what to expect and could coach Charlie on the order of things. ("Now remember, the hay ride is the LAST thing we're going to do. First a movie, then feed the animals, etc...") If I coached him once, I coached him a hundred times. This was my only hope.

So, off we headed to Patterson Farm for our torture treatment..., er, uh... field trip. Here goes nothing!

I was a little worried at first because Charlie felt the need to run circles around the pumpkin patch, then he had to perform a few tests on the sturdiness of a handful of pumpkins. But, so far, so good.

He even did OK when he had to wait in line to go into the barn to see the movie. (There was an old tractor wheel sitting off to the side that he inspected. That was a big help.)

And, even during the movie, he was a good sport. He watched patiently (with only a couple of "Is it over, yet?"), and didn't pitch a fit when he saw the tractor. He even sat on my lap and let me snuggle with him for awhile. I was LOVING this! (But, why they make 3 and 4 year olds watch a horrible movie about the farm that is WAY too long, I'll never know.)

Next, Charlie fed the animals, which he also enjoyed. And then, he had fun stuffing the scarecrow! (The finished product scared him though, and he refused to sit by the scarecrow for a class picture. Oh, well!)

But, then it was time for the tractor ride which he absolutely loved. This year he was smart, though. He got on the tractor first so he could sit by the big tractor wheel. He had a blast watching the tractor wheels turn!

Even the pumpkin picking wasn't so bad. There was no pumpkin throwing this year and no injuries to report. Hallelujah!

So, that was our trip to the farm this year. We survived and actually - dare I say - really enjoyed ourselves!

Least ye be disappointed that I have nothing funny or bad to say about Patterson Farms, I do have a couple of "outakes" from the photos that I took. (They're at the end of this blog entry so head all the way to the bottom.) Charlie wasn't a perfect angel. You'll see what I mean.

But, we have redeemed ourselves. I think they'll let us stay in preschool for a little while longer! WHEW!

We started the day running. (But, at least we're happy.)

Cute picture.

Happy Charlie sitting next to Mrs. Jacobson.

Feeding the animals. 

Playing with Grayson.

Stuffing the scarecrow.

Sitting by himself because he's too scared to sit by the scarecrow.
It is a "scare" crow after all!

I like this photo.

Ahhh... the tractor ride!

Proof that I was there.

Picking pumpkins - sans throwing.

Cutie!

AND NOW FOR THE OUTAKES...

"Why is he sitting here next to me? This is MY bench!"
(I also quite like the finger pointing at the top left of the picture.)

I don't even know what to say about this photo. What is Charlie doing?

I think Mrs. Jacobson is giving Charlie a pep talk... either that, or she's got him
on lockdown so he doesn't run away.

Really, Charlie? Is it THAT bad? Well, according to Lexi (the girl in the orange shirt),
it must be pretty bad. Look at her expression.

Notice how everyone is looking forward, smiling for the camera?
Oh, that's right. Charlie isn't.

I don't think Charlie can take much more. Neither can Lexi.

Disgust.

Sulking. (He was ready for the tractor ride.)

"Your pumpkin stinks compared to mine! So there!"

My Baby is 2!

I cannot believe that my sweet baby Chase is 2! Where has the time gone? What a big boy he is now!

We made the decision to have a dual Fire Truck-themed birthday party for both boys in November, but we just had to do something to celebrate little Chase's big day.

Every year on the boys' birthdays, I'm going to blow up balloons and sneak into their room early in the morning and let the balloons go. How fun is it to wake up to balloons on your birthday?! I mean, seriously. Who wouldn't want that?

So, Chase was the first to experience this, and I'd say it was a big hit! Of course, Chase loves balloons anyway. He calls them "AH-LOONS!" But, I think Charlie had just as much fun as Chase did!

We also had a nice family dinner (Oma came, too!), opened a few presents (with big brother's help, of course) and celebrated with cupcakes.

H A P P Y    B I R T H D A Y,

C H A S E !

So fun!

I think Chase is still waking up here...

That's more like it!

J O Y !

I love Chase's expression in this photo. So funny!

I desperately wanted to get a photo of Chase holding 2 balloons.
This was the best I could do. 

Really, Chase. It's your birthday. Look alive!

Isn't he a big boy?!

"Happy Birthday to you!"

I think he's wondering why his cupcake is on fire...

Classic cupcake eating photo...

Ever wonder what Chase would look like with a mustache?

Well, now you know!

"What? Do you think I'm funny? Do I amuse you?"

"Ok, Mom. Enough with the photos."

Oma was nice enough to get Charlie a present, too!
(I think he liked it.)

"Oh, wow. Presents for me!"

Charlie: "Here, Chase. Let me help you..."

What a nice big brother, helping his little brother open presents!
(Yeah, right!)

I think Chase is figuring out what's going on here...

"Step aside, Charlie! I got this!"

"Oh, wow!"

Sweet photo!

Cute! Love it!

Still, the best smile!

Look at that sweet face!

Charlie: "Whatcha got there, Chase?:

Bob the Builder stickers! Chase is OBSESSED with Bob the Builder!

What a fun birthday!

A Day Out with Thomas!

On Sunday, Mike and I drove the boys to Spencer, N.C., to spend a "Day Out with Thomas" at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. What an awesome time we all had!

Not only did we get to ride a train pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine himself, the boys also played with tons of toy trains, ran through a maze made out of hay bales, saw real trains of all shapes and sizes, watched tons model trains going around on tracks, explored the automobile museum and looked at cars from all eras, sat inside a real fire truck and even played putt-putt. Whew!

The only bad part was that my camera battery died about halfway through out visit. I was so disappointed! I can't believe that I - of all people - did not bring a fully charged camera battery! Argh!

Anyway, I did take a couple of photos before the camera pooped out, and here they are!

It was pretty cold that morning. Mike and I didn't win parent of the year awards that day.
Both boys were cold but didn't complain one bit!

Mr. Chase has become quite the truck guru himself!

For some reason, Charlie was very excited about standing on one foot on the fire truck.

"Look, Mama! I'm standing on one foot on a fire truck!"

This was the gift shop. Charlie would have stayed here all day if we'd let him.
He loved looking at all of the cars, trucks and tractors!

Watching the trains go by was a big hit!

And, there's the star of our show, Thomas!

Aren't my boys cute?

I think this is a sweet photo...

Charlie & Chase earned their Jr. Engineer Certificate that day!

And, this was our conductor. Isn't he fun?