Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Olivia's pre-k class went to the YMCA pumpkin patch as their first field trip (ever!). Olivia was psyched because she wanted to "ride the bus". Of course - it rained, rained, rained. Here she is in her raincoat and boots. I braided her hair to keep it from turning into frizz, since I knew she'd get wet.

On the bus!! She got to sit with her friend Jordana.

Since Mark was home in the morning because he was working afternoon shift (and Debbi was ready in the wings if I was late getting back), I got to be a chaperone-mom on the trip. It was fun. Here are the kids at the YMCA waiting for the third bus load to arrive from the day care center. We sang songs and played Simon Says to keep them from getting out of hand.

We had to walk a fair distance in the rain to some "olden days" displays the YMCA had put together to show life in the 1800's. The camp is on the shores of Lake Allatoona, a man-made lake that was built to help with flooding in the area. The kids got to see deer along the road, so that thrilled them.

In the first cabin (display) they got to learn about food, living conditions, etc. Olivia was very enthusiastic about sweeping. I asked if she'd be that way once we got home. She told me "no" without hesitation. The really neat thing in this display was that the "hostess", an older woman, read a book about carving apple faces and actually carved one as she read. I would have taken pictures, but I had to hold the book for her. She was very talented at carving. The apple face had cheek bones and everything. She'd taken classes and had lots of practice.

Next, we took a hayride in the drizzle to the pumpkin patch. We rode in a large wagon pulled by a tractor. The kids loved that especially. All the kids got to pick a small pumpkin to take home. I took one for Brooke. Here's Olivia's class and her teacher, Miss Kathleen.

Olivia and Jordana in the wagon. It poured on us on the way back. I was thankful for my cheap rain poncho. I didn't get a picture because of the rain, but we had two horses (and their riders) follow the wagon on the way back to the cabins. They almost overtook us. The kids loved them.

Back at the second cabin (display), we started to dry out. The topic there was leisure activity in the olden days. Imagine no TV or video games!!!! EEKK! The kids learned how folks made toys out of the materials available (wood, plants, etc.) Some of the toys were very ingenious. They got to make pumpkin puppets out of paper bags.

Olivia and Emily compare puppets. All the workers were dressed in period costumes.

After the toy-presentation, it was time to go. The chaperone moms headed home (we're not allowed to ride the bus with the kids) and the kids headed back to class. Olivia loved her first official field trip. Hopefully the next one will be when it's dry and warm. :)