Appleton Farms

Today was chilly but sunny, so when Avonlea Jane asked to go walking, I decided to take her to Appleton Farms in Hamilton/Ipswich.

She enjoyed finding where we were on the map and walking through the woods and fields to get to the barns. She got to see plenty of Canadian Geese and blue birds and was able to hunt for horseshoe tracks in the mud.

It was definitely brisk out, and Will wasn't too sure how he felt about that.

When we got up to the farm buildings, we were lucky enough to tag along on the second half of a "Meet the Cows" tour. We got to tour the milking building and see the cows being milked, the milk being processed, and some cows ready to have their babies. While in the milk shed, Avonlea Jane proclaimed, "E-I-E-I-O! I loooove manure!" (We'd had a talk on the way to the barns about why the farm smelled the way it did and why farm poop can be useful. Clearly, it made an impression.)

The best part of the day was getting to see a new baby cow.

Avonlea Jane had a wonderful time, and when the weather is a little warmer, we'll go back to see the chickens, horses, and sheep. I was excited to find out that Appleton Farms and the Trustees of the Reservation have a weekly day camp for toddlers, but it unfortunately starts when we'll be on vacation this spring. Perhaps they'll have another session in the summer. Avonlea Jane would just love to do something like that.

In addition to seeing all of the cows, she was pleased to have the opportunity to go for a long walk without her stroller, though she was lamenting the distance on the way back to the car. Regardless, my sweet girl ended our trip by declaring, "We have fun, you and me."