Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Ready to go with a Haircut and a Playlist

Isn't there some unwritten rule that you have to get a haircut before going on vacation?  I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it's always on my list of things to do.  I've been holding out for nearly 3 weeks on cutting my hair 'cause I wanted a fresh cut right before the trip.  Sorry to all my family and friends that have had to look at my overgrown poofy mess, but I was saving the cut for all the strangers that I will meet and never see again on this trip.  And since my mom and I are heading out in the morning for our little roadtrip, I knew it was time to tame my mane.

Now I won't be mistanken for one of the wild beasts that we'll be viewing at the Fossil Rim Safari Camp.

Also in preparation for our get-away, I made a playlist to keep us singing the hours away.  I was looking for something different from what I normally listen to and since we are embarking on a Texas roadtrip I thought the perfect playlist would consist of a good ole Country compilation.  I used to listen to country music as a teenager, but I'm pretty much a Contempary Christian gal all the time now.  So I'm definitely not hip to all the top charts and I needed a little help.  Google didn't fail me when I searched for "country driving songs" and after sampling tons of songs, here's what I came up with...

Also on that list is "Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland and "We Shall Be Free" by Garth Brooks.

And here's the other song that didn't make the picture that I can't stop listening to...


I know, it's a short list, but I'm gonna spare my mom my off-key singing for the whole trip.  The best news for her is that I've been suffering from some serious allergies and have lost all ability to reach high notes.  So just when I try to belt out that last note of  "boot scootin' boog-EE" my voice just cuts out.  And we'll just call that my gift to ANYONE within ear shot.

Now it's time to pack my bags and check-out mentally for the rest of the day 'cause I'm so ready to Get Outa Town!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

P-6 FARMS & CORN MAZE

Montgomery, TX
www.p-6farms.com

It's that time of year again in TX when the temperature actually drops below the melting/hair-frizzing point and people crawl out of their holes homes to venture outside.  It's a great time to check out all the fun festivals and outdoor activities, so that's just what we did this weekend.  Top of our list...P-6 Farms and their awesome corn maze!

WHATCHA GONNA DO:  There was so much to do here and the kids were having such a great time that we stayed for nearly three and a half hours.  Check out all the fun we had and then get on outa town to check it out for yourselves!

Corn Maze - This is the main attraction at P-6 Farms and it was quite impressive.  Truthfully, the 8 acres of maze looked really big and I was scared we were going to get stuck in there and not find our way out.  But the folks on the farm were one step ahead of us and we came to find that there are actually 2 mazes with one being considerably shorter and much easier to navigate than the other.  We were also given a sheet of questions to answer at each check point along the way...answer the question correctly and you are told to head in the correct direction...answer the question wrong and, well, eventually you'll figure it out.  Along with our questions, we were even given a map which I quickly realized was imperative to follow in order to not get completely turned around and induce a freak out from my kids because "We're lost FOREVERRRR!" (Oh the drama of little girls.)  At one point I even noticed a farmer on a tall scaffolding, high above the 8 feet of corn, who I can only assume was there to help alleviate anxiety when a freak out occurred and to direct folks back on the right track.  

Since we were able to navigate the shorter corn maze quite easily, we came back later and tried the longer one.  It was definitely more challenging and I admit I directed us using the map the whole way which was a good thing 'cause if we had been stuck in the middle somewhere when my 6 yr old realized she had to use the restroom port-a-potty NOW! we would have been in big trouble.  Thankfully, we avoided any such issues and had a great time twisting and turning our way through this massive labyrinth of corn.




That's a whole lota corn right there!

Tube Slide - The kids slid a countless number of times down these "culvert" slides.  I kept thinking "It's just a slide."  But, I think they were impressed by the length and the speed of the slides and of course the climbing up the ladder to get there was half the fun.




Dirt Pile - I've got to hand it to these farmers for turning a big ole pile of dirt into a whole lot of fun!  I'll spare you the 24 photos I took of just the dirt pile and just show you a couple. (This attraction is the main reason the farm recommends wearing your "farming" clothes when visiting.  My kids were FILTHY!)






Tire Swing - Just some good old fashioned fun right here!



Jumping Pillow - It's kinda like a trampoline with a little less bounce, but a whole lot more chance of avoiding busting your head when falling off.  We made the mistake of doing this one at the end of the day because although my three year old bounced for 10 mins straight, my 6 year old was toast by this time.



Pumpkin Patch - If you come specifically looking for just the right pumpkin, you might be a little disappointed since the selection isn't bountiful, but nonetheless there is still a a decent collection of pumpkins.  We basically stopped by the patch for the photo ops and that certainly didn't disappoint.





Hay Ride - Eeh (that's the sounds you make when you could take-it-or-leave-it).  The ride was comfortable and smooth.  Not too short and not too long.  But we just went in a big circle around an empty field.  There were no horsies to spot; no folks to wave at; no cows to come lick our toes; you know, all that stuff you hope for in a hay ride.  The good news is, this is the only thing I wasn't thrilled about on the farm.  Everything else earned an A+! 




I think she was trying to act like a farmer, but who knows.

And a few other things we didn't have time for:
Duck Races, Cow Train, Water Cannon, and a few more things to climb around on.  Check out the website for pictures and brief details.


They conquered the tire pile!


Don't believe the face.  She was having a great time!


WHO'S GONNA LOVE IT:

  • TODDLERS/PRESCHOOLERS - YES!
  • SCHOOL-AGE KIDDOS - YES!
  • TEENAGERS - During the day may be a bore, but my guess is they would LOVE checking out the corn maze at night when a flashlight is recommended since no lights shine on the maze.

This 6 & 3 yr old had a GREAT time on the farm!

*Bring a hefty stroller or wagon for the little guys who may get tired from trekking from one activity to the next.


WHAT'S IT GONNA COST YA:
Admission Prices
***Children 3 and under are free!***  SCORE!
Children (4-11): $8.50
Adults (12-64): $10.50
Seniors (64+): $8.50

Additional Fee Activities
***tickets are $1.00 (tax included)***
Jumping Pillow: 2 tickets for 10 min jump
Duck Races: 1 ticket gets you 2 ducks that you get to keep
Cow Train: 1 ticket
Water Cannon: 1 ticket a shot
***all other activities included in price of admission***


******************
It was a great day on the farm.  And the only reason we called it a day after 3 1/2 hours was because the kiddos were starting to drag and we were one trip-and-fall away from an ugly melt-down.  So, even though they were begging to stay and do more, I knew it was time to pack it in.  But, we'll be back again...well, at least the kiddos will be.  They loved it so much they talked their dad into taking them back at night to traverse the corn maze by flash light.  I'm sure it will be a squeal of a good time!

If you thought we were too blonde to find our way out,
here's proof we made it.


What is your favorite outdoor Fall festival/farm to attend?