October 18, 2013

Harvest Festivities

berkshire harvest festival / october 5, 2013

It just wouldn't be fall without our annual trip to the harvest festival in my home town. We don't have many family rituals, but this is certainly becoming one. Little Smith and I were excited about this trip for weeks, talking about getting pumpkins and prizes from the pocket lady, eating doughnuts and riding a pony horse 'all by himself'. He's reached an age where he is actually able to enjoy activities geared to kids, and it was fun to watch.


The petting zoo was a favorite, we had to return (and pay for) several visits. Little Smith is so gentle and sweet with animals. I'm grateful that he has a soft touch. I did see a lot of poking and pulling from well meaning kids, ouch! In fact at one point the baby goat made a break for it and was running free throughout the festival grounds. I didn't blame him, poor little guy.


I had some anxiety about our baby girl handling such a long day on the go. She loves to stretch out and is still a tiny thing. She hung in there though, and we gave her a break from the carrier on the garden bench while we ate giant plates of Greek food. I rewarded her for her patience by buying a little pair of wool booties- I'm fairly certain few things are cuter than baby booties.


And of course there was the pony ride. Little Smith told me he was going to be up for it, and honestly both James and I doubted him. He often gets nervous in the moment, especially when it involves a stranger picking him up and loading him onto an animal. He proved us wrong though, marching up the steps with complete determination and hopping right on. He's clearly having an amazing time. Can't you tell? That's my kid, sometimes he just won't smile even when he's thrilled. He was so proud of himself and talked about it for days, although recently he woke from a nap to let me know that next time he would prefer to ride a cow.


This happened too... our balloon lover was so happy to get that shiny red prize. Then dad tied it to his wrist and he totally freaked out. We still aren't exactly sure why, but he wanted it off and in a hurry. We then learned an important lesson, that James does not know how to tie a slip knot. The thing was totally stuck around his wrist and we were both sweating and trying to pick apart the knot while Little Smith wailed 'get it off!'. I'm thinking a book of knots may make its way into somebody's stocking this Christmas.

There you have it, another good festival. See last year here, and one shot from the year before here. Crazy how that time does fly.

12 comments:

  1. The last photo is funny yet adorable. Haha. Kids will cry over anything and during that moment, its stressful to deal with it, but the after part is pretty funny. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved looking back at the previous posts from the festival to see how W has grown. It is incredible, really! Oh, that last picture just breaks my heart. It is true that three-year-olds (almost, in W's case) are so particular. I often thought I would be able to predict or understand what was going on in my boys' heads when they were that age, and man did they prove me wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha, love the beers and baby photo! Living the life! :) That festival looks and sounds like such a simple and relaxed good time, the perfect kind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, Yes, James would not let that moment go undocumented ;) I only drank half of one because of bfing- still tasty though!

      Delete
  4. The look of determination on his face while he's riding that horse is just awesome! Fewer things are more fun than the fall festivals & pumpkin farms we have 'round here this time of year! What wonderful memories you are making-- even if balloon string knots do throw a bit of a wrinkle in 'em!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks like a perfect fall festival! I also love the baby with beer picture. Real life, you know. And I agree, baby booties are the best. Who knows why toddlers freak out over things like balloons tied around their wrists? They are mysteries, these little people. And I am very far behind on my blog reading/writing, too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great pics, looks really fun and cozy! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a sweet little outing. And I laughed that you stopped to take a photo before rescuing him. Well worth it, as the picture is priceless. ;)

    Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it seems really cruel to photograph him in tears! In reality he was smiling 1 second prior and James was all set to take an adorable picture, then he instantly freaked out and that's what we captured. Mean parents :)

      Delete
  8. Oh, what a sweetie! This looks like a sweet little day for good memories later. It's so refreshing to get those little ones out and about, I know!
    -xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. my son is the same way with balloons, does not want them on his wrist! but then is terrible about holding on to them. i never thought i'd say it, but balloons are inside toys in our house. at least for this year.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I tie balloons through a belt loop on my son's pants or shorts. That way he can still feel like he's holding on to it, but if it slips out of his fingers it's not gone forever.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.