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It’s finally pumpkin patch time. Which Grayson has been asking us about since we went apple picking in September. Grayson was beyond elated to find out that it was indeed time to go pick out his pumpkin!
Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more Pumpkins! That’s all he would talk about until we actually arrived at the farm.
Pumpkin Patch Plans
Because once you tell a 3-year-old they are going to a pumpkin patch you must deliver on this plan. Unless you enjoy tears and tantrums, just saying!
We had initially planned to go back to A&M Farms, where we had gone apple picking this year, but Kevin had a time restraint. So instead, we went to a farm closer to our house, Shaw Farms.
We previously visited Shaw Farms two years ago to pick out pumpkins. When we visited the last time, it was beyond packed.
Since we had a time constraint this time, we were hoping that the farm would be less crowded. We wanted to have enough time to pick out pumpkins AND have look around the farm.
Related: Apple Picking Time – When You Know Fall Is Officially Here
Arriving At Shaw Farm To Pick Pumpkins
Nothing screams fall more than picking out pumpkins on a farm!
We were definitely relieved when we arrived at the farm to find that the parking area was not overly crowded. This is probably because kids were in school at the time and the pandemic.
We found a parking spot near the front barn and made our way to find a wagon to use. There were plenty of wagons to choose from.
Once we had chosen the perfect wagon, if there was one, we headed to the pumpkin area. The boys both looked onward, with wide eyes excited to see what awaited them.
Oh The Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Gourds, And More
I’m not sure I have seen so many pumpkins in one area before!
The farm had tons of pumpkins, which doesn’t even describe the amount there were to pick from. There were dozens of different piles of pumpkins. They were all assorted by the different sizes and piled high throughout the front of the farm.
Time To Pick A Pumpkin
There were so many to pick from. Which meant just one would not do!
We headed to the smaller pumpkin piles so that the boys could pick out their own pumpkin before venturing over to the large pumpkins. They had tables of the baby pumpkins. The medium size pumpkins, which were the perfect size for Grayson, were right next to the baby pumpkin tables.
Grayson definitely had a hard time focusing on the task at hand of picking out his pumpkin that he had waited so long to get! There were so many things to see and explore that he just wanted to be set loose.
Mason found a pumpkin quite quickly, probably because Daddy picked it out for him. I absolutely love the picture of sweet little Mason with his little pumpkin!
Grayson eventually settled on his perfect pumpkin. Though truthfully, I think that we could have shown him any pumpkin, and he would have picked it. Anything that meant he could go play.
Once the boys “picked” out their pumpkins, it was time to find our large family pumpkin. We loaded the boys and their pumpkins in the wagon and headed to the big pumpkin piles.
There were so many to chose from it was hard to decide. That and the fact that there were so many other activities surrounding the pumpkins that it made it hard for the boys to really want to look at the pumpkins.
We looked throughout the piles of massive pumpkins, looking for the perfect one. It’s funny how all these pumpkins will eventually become someone’s perfect pumpkin. There is a pumpkin out there for everyone!
Kevin eventually found the “one”. It was perfectly round, large enough, with no flaws, the perfect pumpkin! We all agreed on it and loaded it into our wagon.
Farm Fun
Shaw Farms had lots of fun activities for children along with the pumpkins too!
With the pumpkins loaded in the wagon, it was time to explore all the other activities the farm had to offer. Grayson could not wait to climb on the wooden pirate ship. It was quite cute with its pumpkin headed pirates in the front of it.
Next, he was onto the giant hopscotch that they had. I don’t think that he has ever actually done hopscotch, to be honest. There is just something about a massive wooden hopscotch that makes the ordinary activity special.
There was a giant wooden pumpkin at the front of the farm property that kids could climb through. The eyes and nose were cut open so that you could get pictures of little faces.
Though that didn’t happen with Grayson. He was too excited to stand still long enough for me to get a picture of his precious little face in the pumpkins triangular nose.
As we made our way around we realized there was even more stuff behind the large front barn. We first found Native American tents with little pumpkin-headed Native Americans.
Then we came across a large circle of little wooden cars. Each little car had a bench that kids could sit on. Grayson absolutely loved all these cars. They had a few of his favorites a police car, fire truck, school bus, ice cream truck, and more. The cars were separated by wooden “road” planks to complete the large circle.
Farm Animals Too
The lady that checked us out informed us that there were farm animals around the back of the barn!
After looking at the Native American Tents and little cars, we made our way to the farm animals. Both boys seemed excited, looking ahead at all the animals that were there.
Mason seemed in awe with all the new things to look at. He was wide-eyed the entire time, taking in all the farm had to offer.
It’s amazing how things that seem normal to us are so new to young children. Just that newness of life makes everything that much more fun. It reminds me, at least, of the innocence of childhood.
Grayson knew what most of the animals were, minus the Lamas. That and he thought that the donkey was a horse, which I guess is close enough for a three-year-old. He loved being able to run about from pen to pen pointing at all of the animals, squealing in delight.
Kevin carried Mason around, showing him all of the animals while I chased after Grayson as he went from animal pen to animal pen.
There was a large bridge that crossed over the pigpen that you could walk across. Grayson was completely excited about this, probably because bridges and trains go hand in hand.
If we would have let him, he would have spent the good half of a whole afternoon going back and forth over the bridge.
Related: Chug-A-Chug-A-Chug-A-Chug-A Choo Choo Or In Grayson’s Words “Coo-Coo”!
They had a decent amount of animals there for kids to see. Which I had forgotten that they had the last time we had been. There were pigs, turkeys, lamas, donkeys, and goats. The animals were definitely a hit for both of the boys.
Pumpkin Patch Trip Complete
Which means one activity closer to Christmas!
We all had a great time at the pumpkin patch spending time as a family, picking out pumpkins, and seeing all the fun attractions that farm had to offer.
Though next year we would like to take a hayride and eventually do the corn maze. Things to look forward to, right?
Next Pumpkin Carving
There are always new opportunities to practice patience for Grayson!
Now that we have the pumpkins, all we hear is “carve, carve, carve”. Which is Grayson’s way of asking when we are going to carve the pumpkins. I do love and appreciate his excitement for all the festive activities. Though, the 100th time I tell him not yet, the excitement loses its cuteness.
We keep telling him we will do it closer to Halloween, so the pumpkins don’t rot. Well, until then he will definitely enjoy looking at his pumpkins!
