An Amazing Morning

This morning, upon the recommendation of some friends, our family drove out to Salem, Indiana down some winding, hilly, country roads and experienced the Maple Syrup Festival at Sugarbush Farms. Upon arriving, because the lines didn't seem too long yet, we opted to begin our time with their pancake breakfast. We all had plain pancakes with maple syrup and sausage, except for our Redhead who chose the supreme deal. He got syrup, blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream on his!  :)  So after our yummy beginning, we headed to discover the activities available. Little did I know there would be SO much to do! Amidst the signs to read everywhere which taught us facts about maple syrup-making were interspersed a plethora of fun things for kiddos anywhere of all ages! I think this place is especially Boy Heaven. My cuties threw tomahawks at tree targets, sawed on a log together, played King of the Log, (where they tried to stay on the log while knocking the other person off with a grain sack)! They were able to see and go inside tepees, play games like "toss the ring onto the antlers" and "find the maple leaves in the corn." They made paw prints in sand of the animals native to Indiana, watched a man brand a maple leaf into a piece of wood, and viewed many handmade crafts and foods and wares for sale. There was even an indoor children's area where they could color pictures of maple trees, make crayon rubbings, and use play drills to create tapholes in trees. Also available for a minimal price was face painting and candle dipping. This place had it all! There were mule rides you could purchase, a tour of the farm where you learn the process of syrup-making, and on and on. The morning ended on a climax: After completing a scavenger hunt, the precious ones earned their first taste of cotton candy! (It was a free prize given to kids for the scavenger hunt). Man, does it get better than this? All on a completely gorgeous, sunny day that started out "toes-frozen" cold and warmed up to quite comfy and delightful. God's grace to us is incomprensible!!!!

Oh--I should say also that there are 70+ pictures on this slide show, so if you want to see them all, you might have to listen to the song more than once. Just a tip! Thanks so much for reading and watching!!!

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