‘Two Field Trips’ Day

Yesterday was a BUSY day to say the least. I had planned to take the kids on a field trip in the morning to a living farm called Fosterfields Farm, about 45 minutes away. This was scheduled awhile ago with a homeschooling group, as we had to pay beforehand. Then Emma and Hannah’s Girl Scout troop decided to have their closing activity of horseback riding, a BBQ, and awards ceremony that afternoon/evening. Of course that couldn’t be missed either. Thankfully, after a couple days of stressing how to work this with just me, it all came together. We went to the farm trip (details below), drove home while eating ‘Lunchables’ in the car, had enough time to stop off at home for a potty break and to empty garbage out of the car, dropped Cami off at a wonderful friend’s house who had agreed to watch her for me . . . and bring her back home when Chris got home, and then drove out to a different part of the state to do the horseback riding – not arriving home until 9:30 p.m. with 3 tired kids and a dragging parent!! Whew! 12 hours of ‘going’ in a day is something I will try not to do again – I’m wiped out today!

Fosterfields Farm was better than I had hoped. We had been to The Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, NY on grade school field trips and then a couple year ago with my kids. I think that’s what I was envisioning. But the Fosterfields Farm was just one farm and EVERYTHING was hands-on for the kids. We did have a tour guide since it was a ‘school’ group. She was wonderful in answering questions and showing the kids little interesting things about the farm. I thought it was neat that they each got a name tag with a real person’s name on it who used to live or work on the farm so when we got to their duties, they did them. Emma and Hannah were the farmer’s wife (just one person – no polygamy) and they helped churn the butter and wash the clothes in the big tubs outside as well as pump water. Caleb was the farm laborer and he ground the corn and took it to feed the chickens. They even got to help clean the horses’ tack. I loved that it was a ‘living farm’ – someone still lives there and farms it and there are the workers that come everyday in period dress to work the garden and take care of the animals. I would love to go back and check out more history for that area. It was wonderful!

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Our second trip was out to Echo Lakes Stables. Emma was beside herself the entire way out there – “Are we there yet? I didn’t think this day would EVER come! We get to ride HORSES!! What color do you think mine will be? I can’t wait! . . . . ” This of course while she was bouncing up and down on her seat or continually moving – I finally had her sit on her hands and tuned the rest out! What a great mom, right?! Needless to say, it was a long ride made longer by the continual commentary. Caleb and Hannah were troopers and didn’t say a word. Perhaps they are just used to it . . . and can hold in their excitement a little more.

The staff at the stables were wonderful explaining about different breeds of horses, how to take care of them, and the safety concerns. The girls (and two brothers) were all able to help groom and clean the feet of one of the horses. Then they spent 1/2 hour practicing to ride in a ring. Then with 3 of us parents and 2 workers, they were able to go on a 1/2 hour trail ride. The little kids (under age 7) stayed behind and rode parent-led ponies. That’s where Caleb and Hannah enjoyed themselves and because I was on the trail, I didn’t get to get any pictures of them!!

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I personally had a great time on the trail! It’s been about 12 years since I’ve been on a horse. I had a good friend in high school in Oklahoma that had a couple horses. So, I would go riding with her after school sometimes . . . I loved it! The trail ride was very slow-go and I had a great desire just to get going a little faster but maybe another day.

Now, doesn’t this look like a girl having the time of her life?! A dream come true for her – of course, now all we hear is “When are we going back?”

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