Bradyn's First School Field Trip

I hope you have a comfortable chair... this is going to be a long one.

Today, Bradyn's school was closed so that everyone could go to Aldor Acres in Langley and get their Halloween pumpkins. Since Bradyn was too young to ride on the bus, we met them there (which is probably a good thing since she seems to have developed a motion-sickness issue, and I was able to keep the windows open for her). As soon as we got there, I was immediately impressed by the seas of matching clothing so the teachers could keep track of their kids. Our kids all had red t-shirts. Another school was all wearing matching yellow and grey rain outfits, while another was wearing reflective lime green vests. The weather could not have been better, and we had a great 3 1/2 hours on the farm.

Having a snack while everyone was being accounted for and basically told thanks for coming out, go have fun, you're on your own.


If you look real close, you'll see that angelic face poking through the pumpkin's left eye.

The goat obsession.

The first thing we did was go look at some goats. I think we were there for a good 25 minutes. Bradyn would not leave this poor one alone. Having said that, if she turned her back on it, it would come back after her. It really was cute.

"This is my goat, but I'll let you pet her."

Not really sure what she was trying to do here, but she was making me laugh.

Sitting on the wagon, waiting to go out to the pumpkin patch (the first time).

One of Bradyn's 2 favourite books right now is The Littlest Pumpkin. (Just FYI, the other one is Happy Halloween Stinky Face.) For two days, all she has talked about is going to the pumpkin patch to get the littlest pumpkin. All the way there in the car, the whole time we were walking around the farm... "I want the littlest pumpkin". As we were riding into the patch, she pointed and said "It's the littlest pumpkin". As soon as we got off the wagon to pick our pumpkins, she started off back the way we came in on the tractor, saying "I have to find the littlest pumpkin". I thought she had seen the perfect one, and was going back to find it.....

... but she walked past the tractor behind us, started running, and kept on going, all the while saying "I have to get the littlest pumpkin". She ended up walking all the way back to where we had gotten on the wagon. I don't know if she got distracted, or if her intention was to go back and get one of the tiny little mini pumpkins they were selling in the barn.

Having a snack break.

On our second trip into the pumpkin patch, she figured it out and wandered around, checking out the goods. With their admission price, the kids were allowed to pick any pumpkin that they could carry themselves. After reading The Littlest Pumpkin and getting caught up in her excitement, I was determined not to squash her search for the 'perfect' one. It took everything I had while listening to the other parents saying "That one's not round", "That one's not big enough", "That one's too small", not to do the same.

"Oooo. Look at this one Mommy." (Yes Bradyn, I see the rotten bottom.)

"This one! This one is the Littlest Pumpkin." (Yep, and really green.)

Third time's a charm. "This one is just perfect". Over and over.... "It's perfect". You know what? It really is. The stem is frayed so it looks like hair, the few marks on it give it character, and it really was one of the littlest pumpkins.

Playing with the 3 week old piggies.

Here's another item that captivated our little Bradybug. This guitar playing, singing pig display had her mesmerized. She would alternate between standing still and staring, and dancing around having a wonderful time. A number of people were watching Bradyn dancing instead of the pig.

Ever try to take a picture with your left hand while holding a rabbit? Not easy - trust me.

When we came out of the barn, for the last time, I thought we had walked into the twilight zone. All the red t-shirts had vanished, it seemed that the crowds of people had vapourized and we just stood there like 'Huh. I guess we're done." It was the strangest thing. On our way towards the parking lot, we met up with Malachi and his 'Nana' (whom I thought was his mom, because there's no way she's a Grandma, but anyway...). Last week, Malachi had drawn a picture for Bradyn and gave it to me to take home for her. He's a very sweet little boy.

After several requests, Bradyn finally indulged him, and climbed into the wagon so he could take her for a ride.

This is absolutely my favourite picture of the day, and perhaps my new favourite to date (especially because I replay the scene in my mind when I look at it). As we were walking to the cars, Malachi's Nana and I were chatting away. When we looked back to see where the kids were, there they were, holding hands. It was the sweetest thing ever. They were talking and laughing, started running, stopped for a hug, then kept on walking. What a fantastic, warm-hearted end to the day.

P.S. - I don't know why this video wouldn't load in my goat section, but here it is. No sound because it was on the camera, but I couldn't help myself. She just wouldn't leave this poor animal alone.

Enjoy.