Buddies ~ the big trip

***In September 2011 6 families got together and started Buddies Home School. Each week we meet in each other's home and follow a simple rhythm: movement and music, craft/ baking, snack time, free play and story time. Each part of the session is led by a different family. We are sharing this week's session with you here...***

A few days ago Buddies home school had a big trip. It was so much fun! We hired a bus and went to Leahy's Open Farm for the day. 

 The drive there was great, lots of singing and chatting, eating and a wee bit of grumping, but it was fun to do it together on the bus!

 As soon as we got there the kids fled into the playground for a good play.

 We decided to refuel before starting to look at the rest of the farm so we had our picnic.

 Just as we finished our feeding time it was feeding time for the animals and the kids had the chance to pet some cats, rabbits, and guinea pig.

 The farmer was very funny,

 but no one took up his offer of having a cockerel stand on their head!

 Roisin let him wrap a snake around her neck though and a few of the Buddies touched it as well.

 Then we went on to feed the goats and the buddies delighted in how tickly their tongues were.

 We also got to feed some tiny marmoset monkeys with yoghurt of all things.

 Many of us (especially small boy types) got stuck for a good wee while at the old fire engine and had many rescues to perform and fires to put out before being able to come off duty and explore the rest of the place.

 There was an old farm cottage to explore

 and have a pretend tea party in.

 A barn had been very cleverly converted into an indoor play area, so even when there was the odd shower of rain there was lots of fun to be had.

 These diggers were also a big favourite:

 They had a wonderful natural wood adventure playground that we really enjoyed,

 and tested our limits (of being able to watch Benny climb to the top).

 This was a good place for another picnic,

 to rest and revive.

 We went back again after doing a maze to look at the animals around the farm.

 We explored all the animals and also some old farm machinery.

 We were there almost until closing time and we could've all stayed for longer if we weren't so tired out from such wonderful fun :-)

It was a fantastic Big Trip!