Country Critters

I wanted to take the kids to the Mansfield Pecan Festival on the same weekend of Tiffany's wedding. The wedding was on a Friday so I planned to take them Saturday. They have bounce houses, pony rides, games and much more. I knew the kids would love to ride a pony and play. We ended up being so tired from the night before that we could not make it to the Festival on Saturday. We got up Sunday and I looked online to see when it started and was disappointed to see that it was only on Friday and Saturday. Crap!!! I was so upset. I then remembered that Country Critters was opening that weekend too. I was a little nervous about taking the kids out with this crazy flu but since the farm was outside we decided to go ahead and check it out.

I had been to Country Critters about 6 years ago for Emily's 4th birthday and knew the kids would love it. Our only issue was working it around nap time. They are only open on Sundays from 1 to 5pm and we wanted to get our moneys worth. The kids seemed tired from their long weekend of playing with Grammie so I fed them and put them down early for nap. I crossed my fingers and began getting their bag ready to go. Dallas was determined to get the yard mowed during nap time. So he headed to Lowe's to get a lawn mower. Ours quit working a while ago and it was time to stop borrowing our neighbors. I thought it was a bad decision to go but when men get their mind made up there is no stopping them.

Soon I get a call from Dallas and he was not happy. He had to go to two stores to get a mower and the clerks had been very incompetent. He was on his way to get gas then he would be home. I was already packed and was getting ready to go. Next thing I know I get another call and Dallas was now beyond mad. He had pulled up to get gas, got out, shut the door, started the gas pump, turned around and realized that his keys were locked in the truck. Are you kidding me! He said the door lock had been slipping up and down lately. He did not lock the door when he shut it, it locked itself. He was so frustrated! After trying every thing for over an hour I called a lock smith.

The kids were up at this point and I went ahead and got them ready. By the time we were ready to go he had gotten into the truck and was on his way home. We waited in the car for him to get home. He pulls up, opens the door and the entire lock mechanism falls to the bottom of the door. Now he can't get the door shut. The kids were getting restless and I was nearing livid. I had already told them where we were going and we were losing time to enjoy the farm. He said he would just meet us there. I pulled out and by the time I reach 287 he calls and says he got the door shut but can't get it back open. If he was going to go with us we would have to go pick him up. I was oh so irritated. I decided I would have rather pick him up and loose more time than go without him. Daddy needed to see their first pony ride too! When he got in the car we decided to forget every thing going on and just go enjoy the afternoon with the kids. I am so glad I am married to an adult who can do that. Some people can't drop things and move on which makes life so much more difficult.

We arrived at 2:45 pm and there was only one other car in the parking area. I could not believe that it was not packed. Of course it was a busy weekend with the Pecan Festival and the opening weekend of the State Fair but still. We got out and headed inside. It only cost $7 per person and the kids $7 includes every thing. You only have to pay additional if you ride things more than once. It was a very fair price. We decided not to buy the wrist bracelets for unlimited rides until we made sure the kids were not scared of them. Paige was not thrilled about the wind blowing so hard in her eyes. I was happy I had packed their sunshades.

We headed to the petting zoo first. This was our first real petting zoo and the kids LOVED it! We went in and pet some goats and sheep. Then they brought the kids brushes to brush all the animals. I was a little nervous about them getting kicked by a goat but the animals are so used to all the kids that they barely looked up at them.



What is in there Daddy?


Brushing her first goat.


Brushing his first goat.


We could not convince the kids that this was a goat. It was a cow!


They really enjoyed brushing the 'cow'. Ha They had to check every corner for animals that needed attention. They touched every goat, sheep and cow they could find and watched the big pigs eat. Then we headed over to the pony rides. Since they were not busy they only had one pony out and were walking it by hand. I was shocked by my fearless children. Neither one of them even flinched at this horse that was extremely bigger than them.


Paige getting to know the pony and giving him a little pet.



She was so thrilled! What a big girl!

Then it was Ethan's turn to ride the pony.

Aw, Daddy and Paige watching brother ride.

He loved this so much! Since it was pretty much just us they got to ride a really long time.

After the pony rides we headed over to the kids wagon ride. Dallas and I were interested to see if the kids would get scared when the ride pulled away without us on it. Of course they did not care and waved bye to us.




We were getting really hot by this point and decided to go get a pumpkin and decorate it in the shade. The kids took forever to pick out their pumpkins. Toddlers and open choices can be a lengthy process. Ha!



and we had to look at all the big pumpkins too.

I was scared of what kind of decorations we would be dealing with but luckily it was just markers. The kids thoroughly enjoyed coloring their pumpkins.


Daddy would not let Ethan hold it alone they were sharpies. Can you say permanent!

We headed over to the story telling area next to sit down for a few minutes. The kids ate a cookie and drank some water while a sweet old lady read them Pooh's Pumpkin. They were very good and listened intently.



Next we headed off to see the chickens.

The kids loved the bean bag games. If they would have been shaded we would have played with them longer.

The play ground had a brand new wooden train for the kids to climb through.


Paige climbed these stairs all by herself. While Daddy and I watched in horror.


The slide was straight down and Paige loved it. Daddy was a nervous wreck.


Had fun petting the donkey until Paige figured out we could not go in with the donkey.


Time for the hay ride.



I made them wait to bounce until the very end because I figured it would be extremely hot in there. I was shocked when they got in to find out it was really cool in there.


Ethan had to pet the cat while we waited for our snow cones at the consetion stand.


They scarfed these down quickly.


The last thing we did was another bounce house that was a maze. It was a steep incline to climb up to the slide but Paige would not let the attendant help her. When he lifted her up she screamed and kicked. Geez little girl he is just trying to thelp. Ethan did not mind the help.


It was almost 5pm so we headed back home. I was so happy we had made the effort to go. The kids absolutely loved every thing!!!

Relaxing with our pumpkins after we got home. They carried their pumpkins around all evening and sat them by their beds at night. They have talked about the animals and riding the ponies ever since that day. I think we will have to hit another fall festival before the season is over since it was such a hit.