Today we went to the Blackacre fall festival. It's a beautiful nature preserve that is one of my favorite places to take the kids! We've been there a couple of times on our own, hiking and picnicking, but this time the fall festival was going on. My favorite part of Blackacre is the animal barn. They have horses, goats, donkey's and chickens. The kids can feed and pet the animals and you really feel like you are on the farm and not at a petting zoo. A lot was going on today. They had horse and buggy rides, doll making, weaving, wreath-making, pumpkin painting, musicians playing fiddle and banjo, sack and 3-legged races, and (Zach's favorite) hay stack climbing! The kids were totally worn out when we left. Isabella and Vincent fell asleep on the way home. I've heard they have a wonderful Christmas fest and I can't wait to go back!
When we first arrived the kids immediately ran to the horses. Vincent shouted "Hi Doggy!"..perhaps the first time he put two words together on his own! Kyle avoided anaphylaxis shock by steering clear of the horses.
I can never get 3 kids to look at the camera at once and Vincent hates being pinned down for the camera. Isabella is holding the wreath we made.
On our hike, Vincent wanted to walk on his own.
After the hike they played in the leaves..try to bury the baby.
After the hike we played on haystacks and petted the animals.
This guy wanted a snack!
Climbing to the hay loft...or half way.
On the horse and buggy ride.
Vincent checked out the horse behind us!
Playing games after the horse ride! Zachary and I tied in a sack race.
Stick and Hoop game.
Kyle..down on the farm.
The kids on the swing with my co-workers daughter.
If you want to find out more about Blackacre, you can follow the link here:
http://www.blackacreconservancy.org/Content/Public/Default.aspx?cpid=2
Also this week, Zachary made his First Reconciliation. It was a very nice ceremony at SSM. It started with a communal examination of conscience, then the 2nd graders individually made their reconciliation. Afterward, they had a washing of hands ceremony and then we had cake! I had a little laugh when Zachary told me that he only had time to confess one thing! I think most people really dislike going to confession...including me, I confess! It is very uncomfortable, but strangely enough it does make you take ownership of your sins and the act of having to say them aloud to another person is very relieving. I hope it was a good experience for Zachary. In the spring he will be celebrating the monumental sacrament, First Communion.
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