The stuff childhood is made of...

One of my fondest memories as a child were my annual fall class field trips to the Venetucci Pumpkin Farm. I remember feeling so excited to pick out my very own plump, orange pumpkin. I would bring it home to my mom eager to clean and carve it. 

Now I get to see my boys as they make those same trips to the pumpkin patch with their classes. Last year Kaleb got to go with his kindergarten class and now this year it was Kaden's turn with his kindergarten class. Kyle and I tagged along on Kaden's trip to enjoy the experience with him. 

I love the innocence of children and how they can all be friends. 

Inspection time. He had to pick out the perfect one!

Such a cutie:)

The farm's tradition is that after the kiddos pick out their pumpkin, they have to 

carry it out. Kaden was struggling to carry his with his tiny 40 pound frame.

Kaden's class also got to visit with the farm animals. 

The field trip isn't just a outing to pick out a pumpkin, but also a learning experience as well.
The kids got to learn about composting and about different varieties of pumpkins among other things. 

They also got to dig for worms!

I know Kaden and his classmates had a great day at the pumpkin farm and I know, like me, 

Kaden will remember these moments when he is my age telling his children about his childhood 

memories. Pumpkin patch visits are just one of many things that a great childhood is made of.  

Horses, and Chickens, and Pumpkins...OH MY!

Each year as an annual tradition the boys' preschool take a field trip to the Venetucci Pumpkin Farm. The farm is really a cherished local landmark around our parts. Mr. Venetucci was a kind and giving man when he was alive and wanted to share his farm with others. Each year tiny feet trudge through the dirt and mud to pick out the perfect pumpkin and all for free. 

While at the farm kids can visit the chickens, the horses, the pigs and other farm animals. There are lots of things to do and see at the farm. They even teach about composting, and let the kids dig for worms. Unfortunately, the day that we went Kaleb was feeling sick from the heat and we had to leave early, but nevertheless the farm is a great resource for learning and fun.

Each year before you go pick out your pumpkin, you always hear about the story of Mr. Venetucci and his pumpkin farm. I think it is great for the kids to learn why they get to go there and who it was that made this tradition happen each year!

Of course my Kaden picked out a green pumpkin. He loves everything green! 

Kaden had an interesting conversation with this horse :)

Kaleb went for a more traditional orange pumpkin. It took him forever to pick the right one. He is like me Type A and very particular. I loved how he explored each pumpkin, finding the things he didn't and didn't like in each pumpkin and finally settling on the one he thought was the best. 

We <3 class="goog-spellcheck-word" span="span" the="the">Venetucci

Pumpkin Farm and are so glad we got the opportunity to visit it this year!!!

Venetucci Pumpkin Farm Pumpkin Pickin'...

We have been pumpkin patch crazy this Fall. The first time we went was with Kaleb's school for his very first field trip and then second time we went with a playgroup that we go to sometimes. Kaden wasn't able to go with us on Kaleb's field trip so it was fun to be able to take him one time too. We also went to one in Black Forest today so that Kyle could go with us, but Kaleb ended up not feeling well so we got some one on one time with Kaden (pics to come of that). I love all the fun we get to have in the Fall because it is the last jaunt of playing outdoors until the Winter comes and we are either left with the choice of plastering on layers of cold weather garb, or staying inside and playing board games and building forts.

Kaleb all ready to go on his field trip.

Our first field trip together and Kaleb's first time riding in a big, yellow bus.

The Venetucci Pumpkin Farm located in Security, Colorado next to St. Dominic's Catholic Church has a program each Fall called Pumpkins for Kids, in which school children can come to the farm, learn about farm animals and farm jobs/duties, and get a free pumpkin in the process. It is a great program and each year hundreds of children visit the farm and get to bring a bright orange and fresh jack-o-lantern home with them. At this pumpkin patch you don't have to pick from pumpkins placed in grassy fields...you actually get to go pick your pumpkin straight off the vine. Before you go pick your pumpkin from the field, a volunteer (the whole farm is run by volunteers) tells you the story of Nick Venetucci (the late owner of the farm). He was a very generous man and always gave back to the community.

Kaleb probably went through 10 pumpkins before he picked "the one."

There were all kinds of farm animals for the kids to pet, feed, and learn about.

Posing with all the kiddos in his preschool.

Kaleb got to shuck beans for the first time.

Digging for worms.

When we went with Kaden he had a hard time finding the right pumpkin too.

The boys posing with a little girl from our play group.

In addition to many other things, Kaleb and Kaden learned about composting.