Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch, Irvine

Last week my mom and I took the boys to Tanaka Farms in Irvine.

This time of year they run a fantastic pumpkin patch.

It was really bright and a bit hot out but the boys were troopers.

I forgot a blanket to sit them on but I think they were too preoccupied 

with the mounds and mounds of pumpkins everywhere.

Except for the fact that Daniel really doesn't like the great outdoors.

He's wondering why we want to be in the sun and heat and sitting on prickly seats.

Tanaka Farms is a working 30 acre farm that also has a produce stand and

a CSA (community supported agriculture) program.

Aren't the pumpkins on the left so pretty?

They would make a great decorations for Thanksgiving.

We also loved the flying saucer squash.  

I've never seen them before and they are so interesting looking.

The shape and the color variation is so much fun.

We walked around the farm, checking out pumpkins.

Daniel didn't like the pumpkins.

He kept pushing them away with his foot. 

He kicked one right off the stroller.

Peanut tried to eat his.

It's organic but I don't think that stem is great to chew on.

You can pick your pumpkin right off the vine

or head to another area where you can pick veggies to take home as well.

They also have a corn maze (and smaller hay maze)

 with great information about growing corn and what not.

They pride themselves on teaching kids about farming, eating healthy and where your food comes from.

There are quite a few programs for children and schools.

Can you tell how excited the boys are about the maze and fun corn facts?

Eventually we made our way to the area near the produce stand.

On weekends they do a harvest festival with crafts, games and food.

Daniel does not like sitting on the hay.

Peanut just wants to pick it apart piece by piece.

Peanut was watching some other kids run over to the petting zoo.

He loves other kids.

We didn't go in the petting zoo but some of the animals made their way to us...

hoping for some food.

Peanut let them nibble and lick his fingers.

He thought it was really funny.

After a few minutes of this I wondered if they bite.

Which of course they do because, um, they're animals.

Rest assured that everyone left with fingers in tact.

Yay parenting!

I love how the one goat is in the food.

Sometimes you just want to lie down in your food, you know?

Daniel had a much better time when his legs weren't getting poked from every direction.

Peanut was still picking straw.

We had a really good time and I can't wait until next year when the boys can run around!

1 week until Halloween!!