Pumpkins!

Just a few more weeks until Halloween and the question remains … when do I go get my pumpkins? And where do I go get my pumpkins? I’m so tempted to hit the easy button and just go to Sam’s Club and get those big pumpkins that they have the big bins for $4.98. Stock up kids! But what fun is that! There’s no hay bales. There’s no corn maze. There’s no large pumpkin bouncy pillow. It’s just a big ‘ole warehouse that has big ‘ole pumpkins.

Today would’ve been a perfect day to venture out to the pumpkin patch. But guess what … it’s raining. And who likes to go to the pumpkin patch when it’s raining. Walking through the fields and fields of pumpkins in the mud. Dragging the pumpkins back to the car and loading them up. Getting mud and dirt all over my nice, clean car. Why, why do we do this? Because it’s tradition and it’s fun and the kids faces light up when we do it. They really enjoy finding the biggest pumpkin out in the field. And the joy they get when they load up that pumpkin into the wheelbarrow and lug it out to the car … it’s priceless! Then they let it sit on the front porch for days and days knowing that they searched long and hard for that one wonderful pumpkin

So, while the easy button sounds nice, traditions will always win! Even though my boys are getting older, there is still the thrill of the pumpkin hunt. And until that thrill is gone (and maybe afterwards) … this tradition will always remain!!!

PUMPKINS!

I know everything is popping up pumpkin flavored right now.  But that is not exactly what I am talking about here!  I am talking about the actual pumpkin.  The official symbol of fall.  (OK, so I’m not sure if it is the “official” symbol of fall, but to me it is!)

Sure, you can go grab a pumpkin out of the big box in Walmart.  OR you can take a day trip to go visit a pumpkin patch, have some kettle corn, have some apple cider donuts, have a cup of hot chocolate and come home all worn out and dusty.

Even though our kids are a little older now, we still love going out the pumpkin patch!  My youngest son (age 10) has to find the biggest possible pumpkin.  His life motto (so far) is “go big, or go home”!  My oldest son (age 13) – finds the first one that isn’t rotten and decides that’s the one.  Can we go home now?  But he is a good sport, waiting for little brother to find the perfect match.  All in all, it’s a great family day that we get to sneek in to our busy fall schedule.

In case you were needing some pumpkin patch ideas, here you go …

Our go-to pumpkin patch each year is Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch.  It’s free to get in.  It’s has free hayrides.   The pumpkins are reasonably priced.  It’s just a great, local pumpkin patch.  It’s not huge, it doesn’t have giant trampoline, there are no zip lines – it’s just a pumpkin patch.  But it’s also great family fun.  Opens September 24th!

Louisburg Cider Mill & Pumpkin Patch.  Apple Cider Donuts.  That’s all I have to say!  OK, there is a lot of fun here also for kids of all ages – corn maze, slides, giant jump pillow, the list goes on!  Pumpkin Patch opens September 15th!

Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch.  Old fashioned wagon rides into the pumpkin patch,  jump on Little Bud’s Railroad, watch live pig races, mine for minerals – are just a few of the activities at this pumpkin patch!  Open 7 days a week from 10am – 7pm starting September 16th through October 31st.

What is your favorite pumpkin patch or do you prefer the big box at Walmart?  I promise, I won’t judge!