Not Creating Pumpkin Drama

 We have visited the same pumpkin place since Snug was born.  Actually, it has moved  locations, but I think it stayed in the family as all of the "props" have stayed the same.  Every year we take a picture in this pumpkin cut-out.

 Each year we take a little wagon ride and pick out the pumpkins everyone wants.  They're pre-picked, but still fun to decide.

 There are lots of animals to pet.  They have donkeys, rabbits, chickens, pot-bellied pigs, goats, llamas, and a horse.

 Snug wanted this BIG pumpkin, but I think it was like $25 so the answer was "no".

 Rosebud didn't even pick out a pumpkin, so Monkey Man did it for her.  She was just too busy walking around.

 LMM loved the animals...especially the pot bellied pigs.  These are piglets, and they were kinda cute.

 Everyone loved the horse.  He is old and gentle and very friendly.

 I'm not sure what I like most about this picture.  Rosebud getting nuzzled or the look on Snug's face.

 This boy would make a good farm kid.  He'd have stayed forever if we let him.

 Snug really doesn't love getting his picture taken, but sat still for a minute so I could get his yearly "shot".

LMM can't get enough of the camera and wanted me to take several pictures.  Then he insists that he "see them".  

A lovely day at the pumpkin patch.  The end.

Oh I so wish.  The boys' favorite part about going here is that every year they've had a huge straw pile to jump in/play on.  You can see last year's picture here.  Seriously, if you didn't click there go do it.  The kids have changed SO MUCH.  And I can totally tell I was editing photos back then because they look much much better.  Oh well.

Anyway, when we got to the straw pile/pit area there was a sign that said you had to buy a wristband this year.  And they had the area  snow fenced in.  Very different, but whatever.  So we went to purchase a wristband.  I'm thinking $1-$2/kid.  Wrong.  $5 per PERSON who wanted to go in.  Rosebud would have been free, but $20 to go play in straw?  For that price I could have purchased some bales down the road and made our own pile.  We had to tell the kids no, and they bawled.  Seriously cried their little hearts out.  And we got after them for not being grateful for the fun time they had and took them straight to the van...but after awhile #1 and I decided really, we'd have cried too.  It was what they were really looking forward to.  And charging that much (especially for adults as well) is crazy.

I typed up a letter to the owners of the farm, but I haven't sent it.  I just explained that although we know the growing season was tough, that was a little...steep.  I told them how much our kids love going there and how we buy our pumpkins there (for MUCH more than we could at ALDI or Wal-Mart) because we want to support local farming.  I explained what a fiasco it created charging for straw play and how our kids were sorely disappointed.  But I didn't send it.  I don't want to create pumpkin drama.  For now it sits on top of our desk.  It is nicely written...very sincere.  I just can't decide whether or not to express my feelings on the whole thing or just let it drop.  At first I wasn't sure whether to even write a letter.  Then I was sure I should.  Now it sits all typed up...and I am unsure again.  What do you think?