Biophilliac Mommy: Freeport Fun

Monday, April 29, 2013

Freeport Fun

We have been having such beautiful weather, I wanted to make sure we got to spend a day outside together as a family. So on Sunday, we planned to go to Freeport to visit Wolfe's Neck Farm, then hike Bradbury Mountain.

There were a lot more animals at the farm than when we went last time, and a lot of them, like some of the chickens and rabbits, were moved to their outside pens. There were a whole bunch of baby chicks cheeping underneath heat lamps that were really adorable. They were actually divided by two different stages, so there were some really newly hatched chicks and ones that were probably a few weeks old. There were also some calves and looks like some sheep will be giving birth soon. I couldn't believe how much the kid goats had grown already! All four kids are very sweet, and Robbie and I loved patting them (the goats liked it too). Meo was still too nervous to pat the goat, but he did feel brave enough to pat a sheep's ear, and even almost kissed a sheep before he had second thoughts and ran away. It was a fun morning on the farm!

Looking at the rabbits

A little weary upon entering the barn

Checking out the chicks

Looking at the very young chicks

newly shorn sheep

Meo patting a sheep!

Second thoughts about a kiss

calves

chickens

Sweet baby goats

He loved the chickens and rabbits

looking at the rabbits one last time

Then we were all hungry and foolishly forgot to pack a lunch so had to stop at a local cafe for some grilled cheese sandwiches (for mommy and Meo) and a veggie burger (for Papa Dada).

Grilled cheese and fruit

Yum!

After a nice long family car snooze, we were ready for our next adventure: hiking Bradbury Mountain in Bradbury Mountain State Park. It was a gorgeous afternoon, the perfect weather for a little hike. A lot of other people had the same idea, and Meo rather enjoyed seeing all the dogs on the hiking trail and watching the people that we walked by. Meo began the hike by being worn by Papa Dada.

10 weeks pregnant :)

But Mr. Meo began to say "Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama Mama!" A tried to grab my every time I was nearby so we decided to set him free and he promptly signed "milk" so we had a quick nursing break.

Then Meo hit the trail on his own two feet. He really is quite obsessed with rocks and the phrase "big rock" was repeated over and over as he collected rocks and climbed on ones too big too hold. He also loves to run down slopes, so he did that whenever possible too.

Meo and his rocks

Running down the slope

Running

Bringing leaves and rocks for Mama

When Meo got tired (he would sit down or lay on the trail), Robbie stuck him back on his back. He fussed about this, but he was too tired to walk and I wanted a break from carrying him after carrying all week, so on Daddy he stayed. His way of protesting was to throw off his hat and laughing. He refused to keep it on. I was hoping the sunscreen would keep him safe, but was frustrated he wouldn't keep his hat on. He ended up getting a sunburn on his face, despite our liberal applications of SPF 45 and trying to keep his hat on. Tonight, I am ordering him a big brimmed hat with UV protection that ties onto his head.

At an overlook

On the summit

Running

Trying to latch onto mama

Mattimeo had really been loving our new Music Together class that we started a few weeks ago. They encourage parents to learn all the songs and sing them at home, and there are few bird songs that we love especially. The following photos are of a very happy Meo singing along to the "Robin red breast" song we all love to sing. He sings the "dee dee" parts and the "cawww" parts.

Happy singing

Eventually he got his way and Mama held him.

After our hike we played on the playground they have there at the state park. It was a little too old for him, but he enjoyed practicing running up and down the bottom step.