Mommy took a day off last week to celebrate Carter's special birthday. He got to invite two friends to come enjoy the day with us at Walter's Pumpkin Patch. For the last two years I've heard from multiple people how awesome this place is, so we decided to check it out. After picking up Ian and Addie, we hit the road...it was quite the trek to get to this place...it took us about an hour and 15 minutes...the kids were getting antsy.
First up was an all-American 4-year-old lunch...hot dogs, chips and POP! 
They were all very cooperative for this camera-toting mama. So many great photo ops, and they are so darn cute! I think I'm gonna love the age of 4.
Ian the horse, Carter the cow and Addie the pig.
Our next stop would probably be the kids' favorite attraction of the day. We ended up returning here two more times that afternoon. They called it the Jumping Pillow and it was a huge, orange, rubber mat that was inflated with air and the kids jumped, bounced, flopped and rolled until they were all worn out--or until I dragged them to another attraction.
Our next stop would probably be the kids' favorite attraction of the day. We ended up returning here two more times that afternoon. They called it the Jumping Pillow and it was a huge, orange, rubber mat that was inflated with air and the kids jumped, bounced, flopped and rolled until they were all worn out--or until I dragged them to another attraction. 
Next was the most traumatic event of the day. They had these cool tunnel slides built into a big hill. People could slide down on a trash can lid or a round sled. Carter and Addie were gung ho about this idea and went right down the slides by themselves several times. This was right before the "incident."
Ian was a little more hesitant so I offered to go up with him. As Ian and I were waiting in line at the top of the hill, Carter and Addie went down ahead of us. Apparently, Carter didn't get off the "track" quickly enough and another slider came down and slammed into him, knocking him off his feet. I heard the cries and ran down the hill to find Carter all bloodied, bruised and caked in dirt. I gathered the other kids and we headed back to the concession area to get him cleaned up and to get some water. His nose bled for a good 20 minutes, and we kept wiping it throughout the day. It took quite awhile for him to calm down, but I finally convinced him to try some of the less "contact" activities, like trike riding.
And sand box climbing. 
And "horseback" riding. Here's where I really started to see Carter's nose starting to swell. He's definitely seen better days :(.
The kids wanted to go through the corn maze so we wandered through that for awhile. The kids were obsessed with the maps they gave us at the entrance and kept huddling around them as if they could really figure out the path. Cracked.me.up.
After a few more stops and more jumping on the pillow, I had three exhausted little kids. 
And one very bruised, very swollen nose--I was fairly certain it was broken. I called the dr. on the way home and they said there's not much you can do for a broken nose, but advised me to ice it plenty once we got home. Carter was pretty sore for a couple days, but very willing to keep the ice on, so the bruising/swelling went down quickly. Looking back, it most likely was not broken, thank goodness.
Ian was a little more hesitant so I offered to go up with him. As Ian and I were waiting in line at the top of the hill, Carter and Addie went down ahead of us. Apparently, Carter didn't get off the "track" quickly enough and another slider came down and slammed into him, knocking him off his feet. I heard the cries and ran down the hill to find Carter all bloodied, bruised and caked in dirt. I gathered the other kids and we headed back to the concession area to get him cleaned up and to get some water. His nose bled for a good 20 minutes, and we kept wiping it throughout the day. It took quite awhile for him to calm down, but I finally convinced him to try some of the less "contact" activities, like trike riding.
And sand box climbing. And "horseback" riding. Here's where I really started to see Carter's nose starting to swell. He's definitely seen better days :(.The kids wanted to go through the corn maze so we wandered through that for awhile. The kids were obsessed with the maps they gave us at the entrance and kept huddling around them as if they could really figure out the path. Cracked.me.up.After a few more stops and more jumping on the pillow, I had three exhausted little kids. And one very bruised, very swollen nose--I was fairly certain it was broken. I called the dr. on the way home and they said there's not much you can do for a broken nose, but advised me to ice it plenty once we got home. Carter was pretty sore for a couple days, but very willing to keep the ice on, so the bruising/swelling went down quickly. Looking back, it most likely was not broken, thank goodness.Despite the trauma, we all had a fun day and we will definitely return to Walter's again!
Carter on the other hand was very confident and rode like such a big boy.
It was in the mid 90's that day and we were all sweltering hot, but Miss Mal insisted on wearing her "boots" to the farm. Fleece-lined boots. Makes me hot just thinking about it.
Our next stop was the little petting zoo. Carter jumped right in and made friends with all the sheep and goats.
Asher tried to figure out a way to climb inside or on top of each of the cages. Some days he belongs in the zoo.
I can't imagine why the animals were running away from him...
Gotcha! Let's be friends :).
The big kids even got to feed the animals.
Next, Carter and Mal found some baby chicks. They were so soft and cuddly.
Poor baby chick--can't you see the scowl on it's face?
Checking out the teepee.
There was even this big silly pig dressed in a top hat and sunglasses that arrived in a car on a red carpet. The pig was the star of the farm.
