Saturday, October 13, 2007

The Story of the Pumpkin Patch

Earlier this week I asked my favorite husband if he wanted to maybe venture to a pumpkin patch this weekend. He is in Seminary (in case you didn't know) and we have been in a whirlwind of craziness. He agreed and we decided that today would be the day. I am a natural cheerleader. If we are going to go somewhere and I will build it up like crazy. Woo hoo! Pumpkin Patch time! The kids were so excited. I had to finally threaten Silas so that he would stop asking me if we were going to get two pumpkins. Felix woke up this morning at 5:30 AM, came into our bedroom and banged my leg, saying "Puckin Patch, Mama! Puckin Patch!" Yes, today was the day.
Well, we had soccer games this morning, which inevitably run late and we had a church supper tonight. So we had to squeeze Pumpkin Patch Activity in between our other stuff we had going on. No problem. I knew we'd only spend about an hour at the pumpkin patch so I thought we'd be good on time. We trek on out to Old Baker's Farm, which is in Harpersville: about forty-five minutes from Moody. We pull in and park and everybody gets out, cheering for the pumpkin patch.
Then we stop dead in our tracks at the entrance. It costs $9 a head to walk in (that does include your pumpkin- thanks). That's $45 for a party of five, in case you need assistance with the math. Quinn and I just stand there, dumfounded. We literally just stood there for two minutes saying "$9 a head? Really? That's crazy". The kids are paying no attention to us, just jumping up and down, pointing at stuff and general excitement ensues. Felix is screaming "Puckin Patch! Puckin Patch! C'mon Mama!". I had $20 cash for today, thinking that would be more than enough for two pumpkins and maybe a treat. Quinn had $10. I looked at him and asked what should we do. He asked if I had a check.
So we paid it - with a check. I felt like we had to. We had made such a big deal and then drove all the way out there. I felt like an idiot because I never called and checked it out, or looked online for that matter. I really just didn't think about it. In years past we went to the one in Hayden and it was just so far away, and I thought that one was too expensive (they nickel and dime you to death out there, but at least you can choose what you want to do).
The boys had a great time. Quinn and I grumbled about the price the whole time to each other and I felt guilty about spending so much money. ON PUMPKINS! We did get the best pumpkins in the patch. I would've taken a picture of all the kids with our pumpkins that we chose, but my camera battery died when we were picking out pumpkins. Very annoyed.
We left after an hour and fifteen minutes and did find a faster way home that was very pretty. And we did have a great time as a family. And I did get cute pictures of the baby on his first time to the pumpkin patch. All in all, a great day. Just annoyed about the money. Live and learn, right?

12 comments:

Hewy Nosleep said...

Save the seeds and you can grow you own pumpkin next year. My kids got s kick out of it.

The Heltons said...

Awesome story. Man it's great to spend a lot on normal things, but the times we spend with loved ones are truly astounding. I'm glad you even had checks; we never think to bring our checkbook and end up regretting it (like when it's time to tithe and we forgot cash).

Marsha said...

I've got some great pumpkin recipes! Sounds like you may need them later if you have $45 worth of pumpkins!

Amy said...

Keith asked...so what do you get for $9 a head?

Kim said...

You got to jump in the cotton truck, go through the corn and hay mazes, go to the petting zoo, climb the hay "mountain", and take a hay ride to the pumpkin patch. Oh, and you got a pumpkin. Which is fine if I had wanted to spend a day out there and do all those things, but really, we just wanted two pumpkins. I think I might take Hewy's idea and save the pumpkin seeds for next year.

Missy said...

Very cute pics. We are going to the Hayden PP today and I wasn't going to make everyone dress in fall attire, but now I am thinking I might. Which of course Stacy is going to say..."What I'm wearing is fine." (in a gruff man voice of course!)
I'm glad ya'll had fun on your PP day. One of my favorite PP days is when you and I took Corin and Logan when they were babies and we were prego with #2 babies. I had just gotten out of the hospital from being so sick and had my pump hooked to my leg. We were so pathetic you and I both periodicalyy vomitting, carrying one year olds, me with a pump attatched to my hip, and trying to carry our big huge pumpkins. I remember that we were determined to get the biggest ones since we drove all the way out there.
Anyways, that is one of my fondest PP moments. Glad I got to share it with you Orchid!

Michelle said...

Wow! I had no idea it was so expensive. It used to be less than that. I went with Chad on a feild trip this year so I didn't pay. But Nick wants to go back. That's a lot of money. hmmm.

Anonymous said...

That is so wild, $9 bucks a head???? For what is essentially a squash. Maybe they have golden seeds? I got your comment on my blog, you can stalk me anytime, babe!

Rachel Garcia, CD(DONA) said...

oh I hurt for you. I would have died at the sight of that $9 a head. Even for the little ones??? thats robbery! Well at least you had a good time. And now it will be a family joke. We have one like that with a mexican restaurant we went to once (that is now closed-thank the Lord). We had water, chips and salsa (my husband had an adult beverage) and we were shocked at the prices so we decided to just pay for the drink and leave.. $15 later.. they charged us for the chips and salsa!!! how insane is that?? so everytime we wanted to go out we would joke about going back there! fun times

Marsha said...

Hey Kim, can you figure this one out? WWDRD? Hint...at least you didn't use a credit card. haha!

Kim said...

Ha, ha Marsha. What Would Dave Ramsey Do!
Cute.

Marsha said...

Honestly, I don't have a problem with it at all. You all would not have done it if it meant no food or gas this week. Sometimes its important to do make the memories.
Keep it up! You have a precious family.