Clovermead Bee Farm

   A couple of weeks ago Danielle invited me to join them at the local adventure farm -Clovermead Bee Farm - for a day. I had planned on doing all kinds of day trips with PJ during my maternity leave so I quickly agreed (as my Mat Leave is almost up and I haven't done ANY fun day trips yet!). The farm wasn't exactly "local" (at least not according to my understanding of the word "local"). It was over an hour long drive to past Woodstock...but it was worth it! It was so fun to hang out with my nephew and nieces (and my big sis) and enjoy a beautiful fall day. The weather was perfect - sunny and warm (not too hot, not too cold). There was so much to do at the farm that we were busy for quite a few hours! 

PJ and Kiera playing in the sand...Kiera was a little more daring than PJ (who, as it turns out, doesn't really like the feel of sand). 

There was a really cool rope "spider web" that kept Maddy and Seth quite busy for a long time. Its hard to go to these places with such cool play areas and not want to start collecting ideas for an at-home-playground. If Mark only knew the kinds of things I want in our backyard for PJ to play on once we own a house!! It will keep him busy, that's for sure!!!

The farm also had an animal barn that we could walk through to see different animals. In this picture the kids are all looking at the goats. There were some baby goats which were so cute. I wanted to take one home!! (That would have been a surprise for Mark!). PJ actually loved watching the goats and would have been happy sitting and pointing at them for a long time!

At the back of the farm there was another play area - complete with a Noah's ark, two hay bale structures (which had rooms, hallways and stairs), a bouncy bee, ziplines, and lots of swings! It was such a sunny day I couldn't get a picture with PJ's eyes open...so here are some of the best tries. She is becoming more and more determined and on this particular day she refused to wear her hat (hence all the pictures with the hat being held...as if that will stop her from getting too much sun!). 

There was also a GIANT yellow "pillow" that was filled with air that you could jump on. Seth and Maddy loved it...as did Danielle and I! I didn't get a picture of it...but here are PJ and Kiera sitting together watching the rest of us jump (not so gracefully I might add - which is why there are no pictures;)!). 

It was a long day, but thankfully PJ is still able to take a nap in her stroller. I think she is just the cutest little muffin :).

And finally, the reason we went in the first place: the bees! Danielle had been studying the letter I for the past week with Seth and Maddy and they had learned about Insects (specifically bees). They knew quite a bit of information about bees...they taught me a thing or two! Clovermead has an area where their hives are placed in glass so that people can see what is going on. It was very interesting...and a little nerve wracking (I am still quite a wimp around bees!). 

We finished the day off by going through the Bee Store and tasting some of Clovermead Farm's gourmet honey creations. I ended up buying a delicious Cinnamon Honey. Yummy!! It was such a fun day! Great memories and a wonderful way to enjoy some fall weather and learn more about God's creation.