Tag: California

2nd Pumpkin Patch in Larry’s Produce: Fall 2019
2nd PUMPKIN PATCH IN LARRY’S PRODUCE

Mia’s first pumpkin patch last year was a fun experience for all of us that’s why we decided to make it as part of our family culture and an annual tradition. She had seen giant pumpkins for the first time and played in the stacks of hay and corn kernels at Larry’s Produce in Fairfield.

We are so happy to bring her there once again this year for her 2nd pumpkin patch, this time with other kids from Nurse Family Partnership!

Stacks of Hay and Pumpkins at Larry’s Produce, Suisun Valley Rd. Fairfield

ABOUT LARRY’S PRODUCE

Owned by Larry and Lisa Balestra, Larry’s Produce is known to be one of the best sources of fresh fruits and vegetable in Suisun Valley. One refreshing getaway located in Fairfield California with varieties of fresh options at an affordable price! It’s a local favorite for a wholesome family pumpkin patch experience!

The farm is open almost seven months in a year from June to December and welcomes customers from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 pm daily.

We were invited by Nurse Family Partnership to Pumpkin Patch this year, they set-up a place exclusive for the family who are enrolled in the program. They have a little activity area for kids to do some art work with the pumpkins and a food stand for every family to share with.

It was nice to see other families who were with their little kids having fun and enjoying each other’s company.

Indeed it was a perfect day! The farm has the perfect vibe for pumpkin patch with all the varieties of pumpkins in different sizes and colors. We all had fun especially our sweet dearie, Mia had a blast! She played with other little kids and enjoyed every activity with them.

Things to Know Before Your Visit at Larry’s Produce
- Remember to bring cash since they only accept cash no cards. (But they have atm machine available too for your convenience)
- Customer’s can pick up fresh fruits and vegetables from the farm so if you want to do this don’t forget your shoes.
- They provide shopping carts and wheelbarrows but it’s always advisable to bring your own bags.
- There are food trucks and food stands too available in certain times.
- Parking might be a bit busy during weekends so come early.
Kids Pumpkin Patch Activities

Activities were the same as last year except for the pyramid of hay with pumpkins display right at the center of the farm. This year they have different arrangements, it was pretty easy for kids to play and run around and for parents to take pictures of their little ones.

1. Giant Pyramid of Hay and Pumpkins

How cool is this pyramid?! It was for sure the center of attraction of the farm, the main spot for everyone’s perfect pumpkin photoshoot! Mia stood happily and full of excitement as she waved her hands for pictures, she was so amazed by its height and the pumpkins sitting on top of it.

This was absolutely a great idea since it captures the interest of more families to come back again for the next pumpkin patch!

2. Ride in An Old Farm Tractors

These old farm rides were only for displays, each was designed for pumpkin patch. We’re not really sure if they’re still working but they have stacks of hay and pumpkin displays perfect for kids pictorials!

The Nurse Partnership arranged a tractor ride for all the families who attended the activity, it went around the corn field and all the way back to the pumpkin farm. We seated at the first seat next to the driver and as we moved along Mia pointed out the big wheels of the tractor and says “wow” as it made it sound.

3. Run Around the Corn Maze

This was one of the places that families love at Larry’s farm, a perfect place to chase their little one in the corn maze! Mia didn’t have the chance to play here last year since she was very young at that time but this year she had fun!

At first she was hesitant but when her Papi (Dad) pretended to be a dinosaur and chased her in the maze, she runs as fast as she could. It was a fun play time in the corn field!

4. Corn Kernel Play Area

Another favorite spot for little kids is the corn kernel area where you can find small play tractors. Most of the little ones from nurse family partnership stayed here longer than any other activities. Kids loved swimming on top of the grains and hide their little toes and legs underneath, just what Mia did.

Each of the little ones took turns to play and ride in the small tractors. Mia waited for her turn and when she took her chance she didn’t want to let go of it until she saw the slide!

5. Climb the Hay and Slide on a Big Tube

This slide was not as slippery as an ordinary slide, it was a customized slide made from a big tube on top of hay stacks. Kids climbed the hay to reach the top and slid down to the corn kernel area.

Since our sweet dearie is so fascinated with slides at this age, this was her most favorite out of all the activities. After she had gone once, she asked for more!

6. Colors of Different Types of Pumpkins

Another

We visited 2 farms this year for Mia’s Pumpkin Patch, here at Larry’s and at Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm and Christmas Trees. I made two separate posts for each since we had a lot of pictures! But I would really recommend Larry’s Produce than the other since they have a lot fresh options in an affordable price and most of their activities are free!

This year was another wholesome family pumpkin patch experience at Larry’s Produce! This place never disappoints us, we’ll surely visit again next year!

Do you have the same tradition like us? If so where did you celebrate pumpkin patch this year?
October 20, 2019
A Day In Oakland Zoo: Experience Review

Last week our family planned a day trip to Oakland zoo, an hour car drive away from home. Since many of our family members have not been to a zoo before and its Mia’s 4th month birthday, we thought it would be a perfect time of the year to go and discover real animals that we only read in books or watch in t.v. That was just our only thought why we decided to go to the nearest zoo in our county but what we have experienced was a total surprise for all of us and it was indeed more than what we expected.

OAKLAND ZOO: THE BRIEF HISTORY

It was known before as Knowland Zoo located in Southeastern Oakland, California. It’s a 100 acre zoo and the home of natural and exotic animals kept well maintained in their natural habitats. Founded in 1922 by naturalist Henry A. Snow and was established as a non profit organization by Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society, what was known now as East Bay Zoological Society. The zoo has been operating under the organization as a non profit organization for the city of Oakland since 1982. In 25 years of existence, the zoo has been awarded a lot of times, being recognized for its animal management and endangered specie programs. Over the years, the zoo went through major improvements from animal care to visitor’s experience.

There had been public support from the City of Oakland and East Bay Regional Parks District which contributed to the zoo’s operating budget. Others funds came from different community including private sectors, individuals, foundations, corporations, and memberships. Yearly public support from all these sources sustained the low cost of admission and keep the zoo affordable and attainable too all economic levels of the community.

THE EXPERIENCE

We want to give you a tour to the zoo from the entrance way, the rides and the zoo proper. We want to share our experience and be able to give you a first impression if you ever want to plan your visit one day. Let’s go and explore Oakland Zoo!

[video_embed url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnz1qx1OKd4″ embed_style=”default”]

FINAL INSIGHT

I must say that Oakland zoo is a lovely place to visit, perfect for families and friends, a fun and a wonderful place to bond with the kids.

We loved it especially when we have our baby with us to experience everything even the rides, it was really amazing. It was really memorable and its worth going for sure, we had a lot of fun and we enjoyed the animals as much as what we expected and the rides gave us a new unique experience too.

Our baby is still very young to remember all the precious moments we had in this place but we will definitely come back when she’s a little bit bigger and when she can be able to recognize and enjoy the animals more.

Are you looking for an educational adventure and a fun getaway in Oakland? This is definitely a place for you to explore!

February 13, 2018
California: My First Months in My New Home

First Life Experience in California

My life has been kind of ironic in a way because I never thought that one day I would call San Francisco Bay Area my home, I swear I never thought of it. Life gives us a lot of surprises. Now here I am telling you my story of my arrival to the United States. San Francisco International Airport was my final destination. Before my arrival especially when I was still in my native country the Philippines, I have always pictured the U.S as a perfect country, a very modern, sophisticated and wild one to live in. Tall buildings, big roads, no poverty only wealth, beautiful cities with lots of people of different races.

Well… some of my envisions and imaginative thoughts were right, the U.S did not really disappoint me, for a person who has never been in the U.S such as me, I was more like impressed to see all the things that the U.S was made of. Maybe watching a lot of movies influenced my way of thinking and maybe that was what made me imagine such a perfect country that was far from reality. Though, not everything turned out to be how I expected I was exhilarated and eager to welcome this new change to my life. One of the most unexpected changes that I encountered was the weather because it is far different from The Philippines’. With four seasons, spring, summer, fall and winter. Adapting to these seasons was quite hard especially the winter season which is when the temperature gets very low. The cold was unbearable, though I tried my best not to shiver so that I don’t make it look obvious for other people to see that I was cold but It was hard, I couldn’t fake it and I had to wear a thick jacket all the time. Good thing it was almost the end of winter when I got here so I didn’t really suffer that much. It might not seem like a big deal but for me it was a major issue that I had to deal with because I was used to only two weathers which are the wet season and dry season.

I know this is just the beginning, so I try to take things easy because there are still lots of things to discover. as time goes by I will continue adding those upcoming events in my life. so stay tune!

April 14, 2017