Buttonwoods Farms

Last week was field trip #2 - to Buttonwoods Farms. They have glorious ice cream. If you live in this area - or have traveled through this area - you've heard of Buttonwoods Farms, for 1 of 2 reasons: the ice cream or the sunflowers. Have I mentioned the ice cream? If not, let me mention the ice cream...

Sorry - had to wipe the drool off the keyboard.

Seeing as it's October, we didn't get to enjoy an up-close and personal tour of the sunflowers. Instead, we get to go on a hay ride into the pastures. It was a pretty chilly day - but the sun was out, and it was a gorgeous fall day. Our trip started with a hayride into the pastures. You can see the boys' eyes frozen open! Jake absolutely LOVED the hayride - once he got past the initial bumps and thumps, he was all smiles. After a few minutes behind the tractor, we stopped in the middle of the pasture to feed the cows. The floor of the trailer we were on was covered in green hay - plenty of snacks for the kids to give to the cows. I think they were used to the visitors - as soon as the sounds of the tractor came near, the cows started gathering around us. They came so close to the trailer we could pet them!The kids loved feeding the cows - and were mesmerized by a few of the calves asserting their position with some head-butting. Unfortunately, they seemed the most interested in the "output" of the cows than anything else!

After the hayride, the kids were let loose in a pumpkin patch to select the biggest and best to take home with them. Jake went right to a monster of a pumpkin, while Justin was a bit more deliberate.And it goes without saying - one cannot go to Buttonwoods without getting ice cream. Even on that chilly day, each and every kid had a big old dish or cone in their frozen hands! I let Jake have his pick - he could have had cotton candy, or bubble gum - but he went with good old vanilla. Ate every bite. Except for what landed on his jacket... and his face...and hands... and sleeves...

Jake's first Field Trip!

Last week, I was lucky enough to join Jake and his preschool class on their first field trip of the year. Since the fall foliage is just about peak, his teacher took them on a "hike" of the nature trail behind the Griswold School Complex. I had never been on the trail, so I was excited to see it - and Jake was thrilled that mommy was coming along.

It was a BEAUTIFUL day - warm enough for shorts, but with a cool breeze that made one want a sweatshirt. The sun was so bright, and the sky was perfectly clear. The kids had a great time exploring the forest - Jake's teacher, Miss Lisee, would stop every so often and challenge the kids to find a leaf that matched hers. Each child had a bag to collect leaves and other items they found along the way - the items were then used in an art project (I have yet to see...) It was great for me to see Miss Lisee in action - although I knew she was going to be a great match for Jake, it was refreshing to actually see it for myself.

So here are a few of the pics I managed to snap before my camera batteries died!

Jake proudly displaying his bag o' itemsLooking up into the treesMiss Lisee asking the kids to find a yellow leafFollowing the leader across the bridgeTomorrow we're going to Buttonwoods Farms for a tour - plus a hayride, ice cream treat, and pumpkin picking! It's supposed to be chilly but clear... can't wait!

Spoke too soon!

So remember when I thought Justin's tummy troubles were due to the rotovirus? NOPE. His reflux is back! AHH!! Apparently the trials with milk did a number on him - and irritated his reflux to the point where he's back on meds and special formula. I'm glad that he's FINALLY back to his normal, cantankerous little Pork Chop self, but it really is a bummer that he's back suffering again. I've been lucky enough to get samples of the Nutramigen from the pediatrician - so at least we aren't going broke on that. But the Prevacid tabs aren't cheap, and even though I get the generic, 3 adult-strength Tums every day add up! Since we can't get in to see the GI at CCMC until December, the pediatrician is sending us for allergy testing. Now THAT is going to be fun... NOT!!!!