The Most Sincere Pumpkin Patch

*Don't forget that It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown airs tonight on ABC, 8 pm ET.*

Linus: He'll come here because I have the most sincere pumpkin patch and he respects sincerity.
Sally Brown: Do you really think he will come?
Linus: Tonight the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch. He flies through the air and brings toys to all the children of the world.
Sally Brown: That's a good story.
Linus: You don't believe the story of the Great Pumpkin? I thought little girls always believed everything that was told to them. I thought little girls were innocent and trusting.
Sally Brown: Welcome to the 20th century!

One of the annual rites of Autumn when you have children is the obligatory trek to the pumpkin patch. Last year, I learned my lesson after hauling around a baby in a Bjorn, two pumpkins, and chasing an ornery preschooler...we brought the jogging stroller this year to load the pumpkins (and any children who gave me a hard time).

There are several local farms that offer pumpkin patches and harvest festivals. One in particular is pricey...we didn't choose that one. Close to 30 of my friends from MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) met up at "S Farm" for a hayride and some Fall fun last Thursday. Natalie had been looking forward to it all week.

We were greeted by a corn maze and a neat tee pee that the kids loved to play in.

It had a secret tunnel going out the back. I wish my house had a secret tunnel. Maybe I'd get some reading done if I went in there for awhile with a flashlight and some Starbucks.

Farm animals are always a kid magnet. The horses were very good-natured about having 60 sticky fingered toddlers and preschoolers clamoring after them.

"Mommy, can he come home with us, PLEASE?"

We had great pumpkin patch weather. By the time the kids made out to the fields, they didn't need jackets anymore.

It's so fun to watch your kids interact with other children as they grow older. Little girls like to hold hands, giggle, and chat. The boys growled, grunted, and ran into each other.

I liked the hay ride best! All the kids were contained in one area.

Michaela Byrd didn't remember last year's hayride, so the sights were all new to her. One of the farm dogs ran alongside of the wagon the entire time, and she had the best time calling and waving to him.

Time to choose pumpkins! Michaela Byrd and her little friend R stroll hand in hand down Pumpkin Lane. I hope T doesn't see this picture...he won't be pleased to see his youngest holding hands with a boy at so young an age!

R's older sister, "Bee," and Natalie made it their personal mission to find the "perfect pumpkins."

Bee's perfect pumpkin turned out to be a small green gourd that looked like someone chewed a bite off the top. Her mother was thrilled.

The chickens didn't seem to mind the invasion of their turf. They seemed used to being chased by frantic toddlers.

Found one!

We had time to play up near the house before heading down to the "Fun Barn."

The llamas gave us directions.

The stage is set for Fall in the countryside.

It really is fun in the Fun Barn. Rope swings, bales of hay, lots of dirt...

...and a cranky old goat who was probably sick of the hay the kids were trying to get him to eat.

He decided to sample the bucket instead.

No morning with friends would be complete without a stop at Chick-Fil-a!

I think the cows from S Farm would have been pleased. You know..."eat more chicken" and all....

{Has your family done the pumpkin patch thing this Fall?}