The Pumpkin Patch // Fall Bucket List

With a convenient three-day weekend built right in to this past weekend I figured we would take full advantage of our free Monday and head to the only legit pumpkin patch in the area. I thought the place would be pretty quiet, considering Columbus Day isn't the most widely celebrated holiday. Totally wrong. We were dodging different school groups all morning. So that was fun…

Our first must-do was a wagon ride around the farm. Marcus, in his stoic little ways, sat perfectly still, refused to crack a smile, but when asked if he was having fun would reply, "Uh-huh." 

Our wagon ride dropped us off at a small petting zoo, where I refused to pay to touch goats and sheep. I'm from Iowa. We don't pay to touch animals. Where I'm from, if you don't live on a farm, but want the experience, you go to a friend's farm and they'll let you touch all the animals you want. They'll probably even ask you to do chores if you stick around long enough. Plus, Marcus had no idea that he could actually get inside the pen, so it was a win-win for everyone.

Next up was the corn maze, otherwise known as a walking path to the coveted red flag, which means you've completed said maze. 

Marcus' favorite part of the maze was trying to run away from us (refer to far left photo above), giving me the "stop taking photos" pose (see center photo above), and breaking the leaves off the stalks and dragging them in the dirt (see far right photo above).

Conqueror of the maze!

Then it was time for the grand event: picking out our pumpkins!

Marcus thought EVERY pumpkin was the perfect pumpkin. He picked up no fewer than 20 pumpkins, and wanted to keep them all. Naturally. 

Marcus climbed a mountain of pumpkins, and was very proud of this accomplishment.

We captured a few Daddy/Marcus, Mommy/Marcus photos.

And, some poor soul was even willing to take my "good" camera and snap a family photo for us.

We managed to capture some decent smiles from Marcus. But don't let that fool you. It was hot, Marcus wanted nothing to do with the camera, and we were battling throngs school aged children whom I'm certain were all hopped up on sugar, and all acting like crazed monkeys.

As much as I want to LOVE pumpkin patches, because the idea of them is awesome, I have to be totally honest… It's not my favorite fall activity. We'll repeat the experience until Marcus tells us he's not in to it, because who am I to deny him the chance to pick his very own perfect pumpkin? But, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be content with just grabbing our pumpkins from the local grocery store and calling it a day. Sorry to all my pumpkin patch loving peeps, don't hate me, unfriend me, unfollow me for my confessions!

Even though Marcus didn't want to listen to a single thing we instructed, I'm pretty sure my little man had a good time, and we were able to successfully check another item off our Fall Bucket List.

Just for fun, here's our obligatory pumpkin patch photo comparison from the past three falls.

Apparently wearing yellow is my thing for pumpkin patches…

Now tell me, am I the only one in the world who isn't over-the-moon in love with pumpkin patches?

While we're in the sharing mood, what have you been checking off your Fall Bucket List? Be sure to link up below and let my co-hosts and me know what fun you've been having!

     Desirée // Macke Monologues     Stephanie // Wife Mommy Me      Elizabeth // Chasin' Mason