Christmas Tree Farm

Today, I took the day off to head to the Christmas Tree Farm on a field trip with Carter's class so that they could pick out their class Christmas tree. Earlier in the week, I was a tad nervous that the weather would be horrible {it had been rainy and COLD here}, but turns out that today was sunny with highs in the 50s, so it was actually a great day to go! Just a little bit of a nip in the air, but enough sun to balance it out.

Carter was pretty excited! They had gone to this same farm in October to pick pumpkins {and then we went as a family}, so he thought he was an old pro.

Everyone lined up next to the bus while we got our schedule of events.

After a bathroom break, there was some haystack climbing and swinging to pass the time until we got to see the animals and feed them corn that hadn't been harvested.
Turns out, this goat couldn't wait for us to feed him. He thought that what was happening outside the fence was far more exciting than what was behind the fence.
We even got to see two baby goats. They don't look too small here, but I couldn't get a good a picture of them standing up. Pretty cute...for goats.
We then ate lunch {at 10:30, BTW, I opted to hold out for later}, and then went on a hayride. After the hayride, the children were served apple cider {read: juice} and candy canes while they listened to a story about a boy who lives on a Christmas tree farm.
Then, it was time to pick out the tree. Their teachers told them that they had to agree as a class on which tree they wanted, cut it down themselves {with a little guidance from one of the dads}, and then carry it themselves back to have it wrapped for travel. I was more than a little skeptical. I mean, they are FOUR.

But, after stopping at one tree that most liked, but one classmate vetoed because "the top is too crazy." They did all agree on one.

Then they all took a turn sawing. Below is Carter's turn...pretty sure Mr Ray is holding the tree on the stump at this point.
They carried it by themselves all the way to check out, and then caught as it came out of the "wrapper."

The full class

It was a fun trip, and I was glad that I got to go with them. I am eager to see what their classroom looks like when they get their Christmas tree up!