Four Kids, Three Moms and an Animal Farm!

What do you do on a cold, rainy day with four young children and three stir crazy moms? Why tackle public transportation and head for the farm of course! Karen found information on this farm on the northern outskirts of town and together with her friend, Liz, we thought we would try it out. It was FREE and open all day everyday - so why not? We made intricate plans to meet at the transfer of our metro and tram to the bus we needed to then catch to the farm. Even the cold, drizzly weather didn't deter us from pushing ahead on the 2 hour labyrinth of public transportation transfers.

You should have seen us with our 3 strollers shimmying onto the tiny bus aisles and trying to appear composed and in control with children running all around. We tried to look together, but I think inside we were all missing the luxury of cars and carseats - at least a little bit. Juggling bus schedules and snacks and toys and books and anything to get us to the end point is a workout. It is a job for an octopus as you need 8 arms to do it! But as we concluded when we got to the farm, the journey is just part of the fun, right?

We got to the farm, "Ferme Nos Pilifs," and even though the weather was crummy we were surprised that we were the only ones there. The kids leaped from their strollers and ran all over. They were surprised to find....

a HUGE cow....

lots of chick-chicks....

pigs wallowing in the mud....

the biggest, woolliest sheep I have ever seen....

and the best part of all - green grass and a wide gravel path to run down and around.

The children had fun standing on the rails to peer in at the animals. Their very own private zoo!

When everyone was cold to the bone from all the animal watching we grabbed coffees and hot chocolates in the cafe before embarking again on the "journey" home again --- now with 4 sleepy little ones overdue for their naps. That always adds to the fun, right?!?! Can you sense the joy as we rejuggled it all on a jerky bus ride amidst grumpy Belgian travelers who seemed to have no pity for us and our gear?
In the end we all had a great time. I got to meet a new friend, Liz, with her 2 1/2 year old son, Finley, and her 5 month old daughter, Isabella. She is lots of fun and took it all in stride. So we were three peas in a pod. Plus the kids thought it was amazing...Connor is still talking nonstop about the pigs and chick-chicks!

Click here for more Farm Photos (full album)