Tractor Days

Will at Underwood Family Farms

So lately my salvation has come in the way of a farm. Every week I take Will to Underwood Family Farms, which is this large working farm about 15 minutes from home. On weekdays, it costs $3 to get in, and it is like a wonderful for Will right now. there are tractors, which he loves. Every farm animal you could think of. Pony rides. A corn maze. A huge stack of hay to climb up and then be helped down from. Pig races. A tricycle obstacle course. And much more. Of course, Will is still too small for a lot of these things, but just watching has been great.

Will in Mommy's hat

The best part, I think, is the Kid's Coral. It is a play area enclosed entirely by a goat fence (you can see a bit of this in the picture above) complete with a heavy gate. Inside there is a covered sand box with very fine, clean sand. There are a number of kiddie play places with slides and things to climb on. There is a tractor tricycle. And there is a large (but kid-sized) wooden bus. In this place, I can let Will wander freely. At our regular parks lately, Will gets bored quickly and then he is off to the parking lot or running for the street. He always seems to be intent on going where he is not supposed to be. And my park time with him is spent constantly chasing him, syaing, "No, Will, don't...." "Let's go over HERE...." "Get away from...." It's no fun for either of us. So this new place, completely enclosed, has been so relaxing for me. I can't even tell you. I can just sit on a bench in the shade and watch him play, and occasionally help him in his bigger endeavors like getting up into the driver's seat of that bus!

John and Will at the tractor parade

This Sunday I took John there with us for the first time. They were having an antique tractor parade. Will was actually a little intimidated by the parade--he would rather have watched them while they were safely parked. But all in all, it was a fun time. I keep having little discoveries, now that I have the car. New places to go, new little things to do with Will. Finally, at long last, we are having adventures together.