A trip to the apple orchard feels less like a "field trip" and more like real life. We've been frequenting Whispering Orchards long before we officially started homeschooling. I love being able to have experiences like this with my whole family. Typical "school" field trips are generally short and heavily scheduled. The children all have to stay together as a group, very few parents are present, and everyone is herded back onto a bus so as to make it back to school before lunchtime. With these little family field trips, we can stay all day (or not), write our own schedule (and change it if we need to), and we can simply enjoy the time together as a family.

Behind the orchard there is a corn field with a corn maze cut into it. Here are some pictures of our little ones--looking littler than ever--as they navigate their way through corn stalks that are taller than they are!




Then, we took some time to feed and pet the sheep and the goats. Whispering Orchards keeps these animals, as well as llamas, rabbits, turkeys, chickens, peacocks, and a cow.




We also had a chance to meet some smaller, cuddlier creatures.








Even Micah joined in the fun!!



This puppy just ate up all the attention he received from my little animal lovers!