Tractor Day, 2018

We make an effort each week to meet up with friends for outings every Friday (if you follow along, we affectionately call this Friend Friday).

Unfortunately it doesn't always work out for friends to join us.

I think that is one of the hard things about homeschool, everyone has different things going on and sometimes schedules don't line up (nothing wrong with this, its just a part of homeschool life).

But that doesn't stop us from getting out and having fun every Friday.

We have been visiting Hidden Hills Farm since 2015 when Isaac was just a month old, and we always try to get to a couple of their play days each year.

Our very favorite themed day is their tractor day (we went in 2015 and 2016, and we didn't want to miss out this year!

So even though no friends were able to join us, the boys and I made the trek across town to check out the tractors. It didn't disappoint!

The kids took turns riding the horses, we checked out the animals, and of course there were lots of tractors to play on.

The best part is riding in the bucket of the excavator! I have ridden with the boys in the past, but this year they wanted to do it on their own.

Jack actually rode it solo at first until other kids noticed him. Isaac took some convincing but rode in the end.

They also enjoyed a trip around the back field on a four wheeler.

If you have young kids and havent' been to a Play Day at Hidden Hills, you really need to go! Our favorite day is Tractor Day, and this year we also really enjoyed the Maple Syrup Day.

After we wrapped up our time at Hidden Hills, we headed downtown for a little cardboard sledding. This is quickly becoming one of our favorite past times... hopefully we will have a chance to do it with friends soon!

Update: we finally met up with friends to do sledding on Cardboard Hill

If you've been following along, here are our previous Friend Friday adventures this school year:
August: Coolidge Park
September: Creative Discovery Museum ⎮ Greenway Farms Picnic ⎮ Chattanooga Zoo ⎮ Big Soddy Gulf
October: Reflection Riding Center (Monday Friend Day) ⎮ Charlotte's Web

November: Creative Discovery Museum ⎮ Pioneer Days at Audobon Acres

December: Christmas Cookie Party ⎮ Christmas Cookie and Bird Ornament Party

January: Creative Discovery Museum ⎮ High Point Climbing Day ⎮ Challenger Center
February: Hidden Hills Farm Maple Syrup Day ⎮ Valentine's Party ⎮ The House at Pooh Corner

Hidden Hills Tractor Day, 2016

Daniel's dad and my dad both grew up on farms, and when we were kids, Daniel and I both had opportunities to spend time on farms – Daniel's grandparents still owned their farm when he was small, and one of my mom's uncles had a dairy farm when I was growing up.

As an adult, I don't know a single person who works on a farm. It's a bit shocking to see that shift in a single generation.

Since we can't just pack up and go visit relatives at the farm, I am grateful for places like the Hidden Hills Farm and Saddle Club for opening their gates throughout the year.

On certain dates, they allow you to come play and explore their property. You can ride their horses, feed their chickens, and play on their equipment. It is a fantastic experience for little kids.

A week ago, we took advantage of their annual Tractor Day, meeting up with friends for a fun-filled afternoon at this farm.

It was our second time to attend Tractor Day and I'm pretty sure that it is one of Jack's favorite experiences. Where else can a kid (or adult) ride in the bucket of an excavator, and then operate the backhoe afterward?

There were several tractors to sit on, and Jack was intent on trying to operate them (it's a good thing that no keys were accidentally left in the ignitions!).

Besides the tractors, the kids chased fed chickens, pestered a bull, and had the opportunity to ride a horse.

It was a beautiful day for an outing with friends. We enjoyed a picnic together, and then wrapped up the visit with a hayride.

I'm so glad there are still places we can go where children can get a little glimpse of a farm world, even if it is just for a few hours.

The cost to attend a play day at this farm is $10 for your first child and $5 for any additional kids. If you are interested in a Hidden Hills play day, be sure follow their page on Facebook to find out when the next event is.

Trying to feed the chickens.

Jack taking a turn working the back hoe.

Hidden Hills Farm Tractor Play Day

Today marked our second visit to the Hidden Hills Farm and Saddle Club for a play day. It's hard to believe that Isaac was only a month old for our first visit! Thankfully Daniel was off of work today (after working the last 10 days with only one day off) and we were able to take advantage of the beautiful weather and a farm full of tractors to play on.

This play day was made for Jack and Daniel. They were in a truck heaven. Hopefully in a couple of years, Isaac will be enjoying this experience just as much.

There was a skid steer that Jack got to drive (and then ride in the bucket of).

There were tractors to sit on and play with all of the controls (and Daniel gladly patiently answered every question Jack had about every lever and button in every tractor).

There was a backhoe to operate (Daniel was in his mid-twenties before he got to use a backhoe, and may have been a teeny bit jealous).

There was a bucket on the backhoe to ride up in the air in (you just had to trust the operator working the bucket).

There was a Kubota utility vehicle to drive in the back field. Jack had fun steering it any way but in a straight line.

 

 

And of course, there were horse rides again.

This was little boy heaven (and I have two little boys and one big one if you count Daniel).

The Cow Milking day that we attended in May was a fun event, but the Tractor Day is going on our calendars as a family day for the future.

If you missed this week's Tractor Day, they are having another one next Thursday, Sept. 24. The cost to visit the farm is $10 for your first child and $5 for subsequent kids (babies are free). Tractor Day is definitely worth the visit. We had a wonderful time!

Jack gets to help drive a skid steer, then take a ride in the bucket.

Jack and Mommy ride in the Backhoe bucket.


Jack and Daddy play with the dump truck, while Isaac gets up close and personal with the skid steer and Mommy almost has a heart attack.