Bring Back Big Families

One of our yearly family traditions is visiting one of two corn mazes in our area in the fall. In our busyness this year, we almost missed out as we found out yesterday that today was the last day that the closer one was open for the season. We also noticed that the weather today, Sunday, was not looking very promising, so we really only had one very last minute choice to make: we packed everyone in the car and headed for the corn maze.

And I’m so glad we did.

From the zip lines to the truck bed slides to the barrel cow train to the giant tube slides to the covered playground to the huge bouncy pillows and, finally, the main attraction, the corn maze, everyone had a blast soaking in the beautiful fall weather and the good fun at every corner as we closed out our thanksgiving break together.

No, it wasn’t cheap. It was over $120 for all eight of us to attend, which, to us, isn’t exactly cheap. My daughter happened to be at the counter as I paid and remarked to my wife just how expensive it was for all of us to get in. It’s so interesting to me that she pays attention to things like that now that she’s getting older, but we assured her that the price didn’t matter since we knew everyone was going to have a great time. As my wife and I discussed this interaction afterward, we reiterated that it’s not about how much it costs; it’s about how many memories we can make together.

And, as expected, everyone did just that. We enjoyed our impromptu trip immensely. We enjoyed each other’s company immensely. We enjoyed the last few moments of Thanksgiving time before the hustle and bustle of Advent and Christmas began today. Sometimes, the unexpected things become the best things.

And I guess that’s the real point here. Sometimes, as a family, you just have to be spontaneous. Life is too short not to. Take those unexpected adventures. Go, even if you had no intention of going just a few minutes before. Don’t plan out every detail. Heck, don’t even say the word plan. Just go and see where it takes you.

I know that can’t apply all the time. Trust me, with six kids, spontaneity is usually not in the cards. But when it is, it can be incredible, just like yesterday was for us.

So, be spontaneous when you can. Sometimes, the best family days are the ones you almost didn’t have.

I’ll leave you with a few pictures I got of the beauty of the farm.