Mommy and Me on the Farm

I signed Jonathan and I up for a Mommy and Me farm class at Superstition Farms. I actually signed us up MONTHS ago, but each time the class came around someone was sick, so we had to keep canceling. But, finally, today was the day!

We started by feeding a baby cow some milk from a bottle. Aggressive little things . . .and they drink fast! We learned about making milk. Each cow produces about 8 gallons of milk a day. Wowee!

Jonathan got to feed and groom some goats. We went on a hay ride and had some ice cream. Jonathan also got to go into the chicken coops and gather eggs!

Day Five: $21.00

We spent the morning at Mother Nature's Farm. I got a coupon that got me in for free. We had fun feeding the animals some hay, getting a hay ride, running through a hay bale maze, and decorating some pumpkins.

Although we had a lot of fun, my idea of what a farm is and Arizona's idea of what a farm is are vastly different ideas. Where were the fall leaves? The apple cider? The trees? The open and beautiful land? An actual pumpkin patch?

Day Four: $45.00

An entire day at the zoo! We can't wait to go back (when it's a little cooler).

Day Three: $0.00

Today was movie day! Initially I had planned to take the kids to the movies, but since Carena has a really annoying cough and because there were really no movies at the dollar theater that we were interested in seeing, we opted for watching movies at home.

I blacked out the windows in the family room, made popcorn, made chocolate chip cookies, and we watched movies all day long. It was fun! And free!

Day Two of Fall Break: $22.00

Today we went to Jump and Shout - a huge indoor playground/jungle-gym thingy. Tuesdays the kids get in for $5.00 (instead of $9.00 on other days). They had a BLAST. I think they could have stayed the entire day. Next time we go, I'll be more prepared for spending an entire day there. I meant to bring a book to keep me busy, but of course forgot it sitting by the front door. I also should have packed snacks and/or lunch. They have a little snack bar area that we could have eaten at. Oh well, next time.

As we were leaving we noticed Yodipity across the street. I'd heard of it, but had never been. The kids were hot and sweaty from so much jumping and shouting so we decided to try it out. Self-serve yogurt with self-serve toppings - yum! Let's see who can make the grossest combination. I think Carena won, although she wasn't planning on it - sour green apple frozen yogurt sprinkled with chocolate caramels.

A really fun day. It was also nice to come home and sit in my big comfy chair reading a book while the kids watched tv and did crafts at the kitchen table.

Fall Break: Under $100.00

I've been feeling a little sorry for myself (and sorry for my children). A week off of school for Fall Break - and no plans. No cabin in the woods to retreat to, no exciting trip to DisneyLand or SeaWorld, not a whole lot of funds to do much of anything, my husband not having time off work (meaning whatever we do is up to me!).

I woke up this morning with an idea to do something each and every day and not spend more than $100.00 the entire week. On top of that, I must make this Fall Break fun and memorable. I want my kids to have a ton to talk about when they go back to school.

DAY ONE - TOTAL COST $6.00 (for the parking permit):

I packed a picnic lunch of sandwiches, cookies, apple slices and water. We headed to the river. A mere 10 minutes from our house.

The kids had a blast splashing in the water, collecting rocks and shells, and playing in the sand. I brought a big blanket and tucked it away in the shade and watched the kids play. Colt and I dug in the sand looking for the neatest shells and rocks. Carena threw mud pies into the river. Jonathan found a stick and did lots of digging with it.

But the BEST part was this:



Know what those are? Bald eagles!! We saw three of them! What a treat. I've seen a bald eagle once in the wild - and it was only a glimpse. These circled and called for quite some time. They were right over head. We were all in awe. By the time I thought to get my camera they had gone higher. We also saw a blue heron and a turkey vulture that was hanging out on a speed limit sign on the side of the road waiting for some snacking on a dead skunk in the road.