Rob had off  this past weekend and with the lovely weather we tried to spend as much time as possible outside.  On Saturday my husband, my brother-in-law and father-in-law all went to the city to march in the Labor Day Parade.  When they came home I took pictures of the boys in their shirts and I commented on what a beautiful day it was and how clear the sky was and how puffy the clouds were.  My husband commented about how  we couldn’t forget what happened the last time we had a beautiful day like this.  We all paused for a moment like we do every time someone mentions 9/11.  I know for many families their lives were ripped apart by the loss of loved ones or memories of helping at ground zero.  Our family was fortunate not to have lost any one, but both my husband and my father-in-law were in the city working the day of the attacks and the days after.  I remember the fear that I would never see either of them again.  So today, as I write this post about the fun we had this weekend, it is tempered by this somber day.

Muscoot Farm is a county park unlike any other.  It is an interpretative farm that is open year round for families to enjoy.  They host a wide variety of events, including a farmers market, a young farmers camp  and a rotating art show in the main house.  The farm was a working gentleman’s farm owned by the Hopkins family.   From 1880 – 1924 the farm was the family’s summer home.  In 1924 the family decided it would be their primary residence and continued using it as a dairy farm until 1967 when Westchester County acquired it.  The farm is located at 51 Route 100, Katonah NY 10536 and is approximately a 40 min drive from southern Westchester.  Parking and admission are free.  If you take the tractor ride there is a $2 fee per person.

This is the second time I have gone up to the farm.  This past winter I took Spencer and Titi to the hot cocoa social with Santa. It was really cute.  They served hot cocoa, had coloring sheets, you could write a letter to Santa, have your picture taken with him and walk around the farm to see the animals.  I had heard about this place from a few of my friends but I had never gone.   One of the other mothers in our Facebook group had posted that there was going to be a Fairy Walk at the farm.  As soon as I saw the post I wanted to go but originally I was busy all day.  Luckily, my schedule freed up a bit and we were able to go as a family.  I know I sound cheesy, but I really love it when the three of us get to go and do something together.  It is really special for me.  I take Spencer to so many places and get to experience most of his firsts and part of me feels badly for that.  Rob works so hard for us so that I can stay home.  I get so excited when the weather is perfect and we can spend a nice day outside together.

Things you should be prepared for if you go – Don’t feed or pet the animals, no dogs and no smoking allowed on the property.  A LOT of people were on the farm yesterday.  Apparently (as in I had no idea), they have a farmers market there on Sundays May 14 – Nov 26 9:30 am – 2:30 pm.  We did not stop at the market, but there were a lot of tents.  Spencer was very excited to go on the fairy walk so we were more focused on where to go for that.  They had opened up a field down the road that we were able to park on so we didn’t have to park on the side of the road, though there were plenty of cars on either side.  The event itself was from 12-3 pm.  We got there about 1:30 and the place was swamped.  The fairy walk was at the end of the main parking lot.  They had tables set up for face painting and bracelet making.  There were so many little girls dressed as fairies with beautiful wings and wands.  I almost felt bad for my little guy.  He loves dressing up, but I honestly I hadn’t even thought of dressing him in anything.  One brilliant mom had made felt elf hats for her boys with a little acorn leaf.  So for next year I know what I can make him so that he can feel a little more into the magic of the event.  There is a little loop right off the parking lot that they had set up for their fairy walk.  Of course I didn’t realize that I should not have taken the left side and we ended up walking at people the whole time.  I am left handed so if you give me the option to go left I will.  There were a lot of people on the trail and it reminded me of the Great Jack-o-lantern Blaze.  They had set up little fairies and houses everywhere, on the ground, nestled into tree roots and hanging from branches.  It was really fun trying to find them all.  Spencer spent a fair amount of time on his Daddy’s shoulders, but he did come down to play with some of the houses too.  It was a little overwhelming walking the wrong way through a crowd… sorry son. I’d say we spent about 30 minutes on the walk itself.

Once we were done with the Fairy Walk we walked around the farm and visited the animals.  The cows left their pen closer to the path that they were on so we walked a little ways up a path to see them a little closer.  The boys wanted to keep walking up that path but I didn’t think there was anything there and I suggested we go back down to all the barns.  They have so many different animals, including a wide variety of goats, a pony, some horses, sheep, ducks, chickens and of course cows.  Fortunately we got on the last tractor ride for the day.

The tractor took us on this beautiful winding journey through the back of the farm.  I had no idea there was so much to explore there.  According to the Westchester Parks website  there are 7 miles of hiking trails to explore through fields, woodlands and wetlands.   I cannot wait to go back with my boys and explore more!

If you have been to the farm or went to this event please let me know what you thought of it by leaving a comment.  If you are local please join our Facebook group and join our amazing community of moms.