Fall into FUN! - Let's go a pumpkin' patchin'

Ever since my family and I settled in Edmond several years ago, we have made a yearly journey (with our neighbors!) to the Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch. The first year, I had to chase my eighteenth-month-old daughter, who was overcome with excitement at the site of pallets upon pallets of pumpkins. This was on an unseasonably warm October day while I handled the exhaustion that comes from being two months pregnant. But it was so much fun, I vowed to return every year.

And I have.

The next year, it was unseasonably cold, my two-year-old daughter was now obsessed with the pygmy goats, and my six-month-old son looked like an Eskimo, barely able to be spotted amongst the blankets, mittens, and hats we covered him in. But we still managed a hayride.

And last year? Well, with two walkers, I had my work cut out for me. The three-year-old wanted a pony ride, as well as treats from the country store, and my eighteenth-month-old son was like, "Hey! This fire stuff is awesome!"

I said all that to say this: every year has been a treat, which means, I'm pumped to get back there in just the next few weeks. In case you haven't been out to this nearby pumpkin patch, and you're dying to try it, here are a few of the highlights...

Pumpkins! Well, duh. In fact, a small pumpkin is included with the price of admission, although many others are for sale.

Farm animals and more! Parkhurst will let you feed goats, hold a bunny, and even ride a pony (pony rides do have an extra charge). Just remember to purchase food for feeding the animals from Parkhurst, and then get a kick out of watching them mill around you like paparazzi stalking a celebrity!

Corn maze. Forget the movie Signs. Have your own exhilarating adventure (hopefully alien free!) in Parkhurst's offering.

Hayrides. Because nothing says "autumn" quite like it.

Concessions and more! Visit the fall-flavored in-door concession stand and then enjoy roasting marshmallows over a fire pit or lounging in a hammock. There's even a small fort for young children to play in (as well as a Cinderella carriage--pictured above--for extra photo ops).

Well, I hope that gives you some motivation to get in the fall spirit. For a comprehensive list of other pumpkin patches in the area, check out this link. Otherwise, stay tuned for my post about Storybook Forest next week!

Fall into FUN! - A blog lineup that will have you chanting "We love pumpkins!"

Okay. The last few months, we've been a little serious here at Mom Around Town. And I know it's totally awesome that we have come to some deeper understanding of life. Sit with me and chant, "Ooommmm."

But moving on...

This month I want to talk to you about all the ah-mazing fall things this area has to offer to get you in that autumn spirit. I mean, really, just shout, "Pumpkin Spice Latte!" and I'm about as autumn-spirited as they come. But in case you're trying to work up the energy to spiderweb your door or put some spooky stuff in that yard, here are some opportunities to getcha in the mood!

October 9 - Pumpkins, pumpkins, we love pumpkins! I'm going to take us out to Arcadia, where the Parkhurst Ranch offers a petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides, bonfires, and of course, pumpkins! Oh, and there's a corn maze too. Why does that always make me think of the movie Signs? So creepy...but even better for getting in the spooky spirit!

October 16 - Lake Arcadia's Storybook Forest! Opening October 23 this year, the Storybook Forest offers those kiddos the chance to trick or treat with all their favorite story book characters, from Rapunzel to the Three Little Pigs. Also, not only can your kids dress up and explore the lovely trail through the woods, but there are carnival-like games at the end as well.

October 23 - Haunt the Zoo! What's more fun than seeing all those crazy animals? Seeing them while your kid is dressed in a rockin' costume, of course, at Haunt the Zoo! Starting October 26, this event gets the week of Halloween started with a roar.

October 30 - Trick or Treat Safety. Did I say we're going to have fun this month? I did. I totally did. But on this night before the scariest night of all, we'll be addressing the basics of trick or treating safety, with some cool ideas to keep your children from thinking, "Parents are such a drag."

So stay tuned for some spookilicious information! Because those of us with kids need to participate in this stuff while we've got an excuse to do so!