Seven Oaks Lavender Farm

A couple weeks ago, my friend Natalia found a online deal for a lavender farm about 45 minutes from us. After having experienced a beautiful lavender farm on our honeymoon in Oregon in July seven years ago, I thought it would be nice to try out another one locally so I said I was up for it. 

We went ahead and purchased the tickets at that time but between the weather and busy schedules we hadn't found a chance to go until Wednesday. Though it was going to be a hot summer day and rain was in the forecast, we decided to make it work since it was the last day the offer was good. 

The whole morning started out jumbled for me. Reid wouldn't go down for his nap and I walked him forever trying to get him to sleep so my shoulder was killing me. I felt like throwing in the towel right then, but I'd promised Natalie and didn't want to let her down. 

Then, we had to rush in town to a hair appointment for Caleb, leaving the house in disarray as breakfast crumbs lay unswept. I thought I'd get packed up better when we got back and tidy up a bit before we left, but we took longer than expected so Natalia and the boys were waiting on us when we returned and again I was scrambling to get ready.

We thought it would be best to all ride in the same car, but little Nick, who's not used to riding with us was very upset by this transition. Taking his cue from Nick, Reid also got worked up. Honestly though, my little fella didn't need much help since he'd already been cranky all morning from teething. I decided to take Reid out of the carseat to nurse and get a little Tylenol, hoping the rest of the day would go better.

I had envisioned taking this comical picture of all five babies tucked in their carseats in the back of the Pilot as we got ready to head out. Things were much too hectic to take any pictures though as Reid and Nick hollered like crazy behind us and then Hadley joined in fake crying just for kicks because it seemed like the thing to do. By the time I got on the interstate I could hardly think straight, and after about five miles up the road we decided to turn around and head back for Natalia's vehicle to calm Nick down and hopefully Reid too so he could take a much needed nap. I debated counting my losses and staying home, but Natalie said let's go anyway so we did.

While we were a little behind, it worked out. Everyone settled and Reid konked out before we even got back to the house. I also had forgotten some baby food and my camera battery in the choas so at least I had a chance to grab that.

We didn't have time to pack lunches that morning, but there was a Chick-fil-a on our way. We hit the drive thru instead of unloading and reloading everyone and had a picnic under the shade of a large tree when we got to the farm. This was the best part of the day as we leisurely enjoyed our meal. I'd eaten my lunch in the car on the drive there so I could help the kids and feed Reid., which made it easier too. There was a nice breeze, which made the warm day much more comfortable. Reid and Hadley had both taken naps and were well rested, and the blanket gave my little crawler a good area to roam after being strapped in the car for so long.

After applying some sunscreen, off we went. The walk was a little farther than we anticipated, but we had some good big sibling helpers.

We started at the gift shop to check-in. After we left and began to walk down the road though, I turned to see that Hadley had innocently smuggled a stuffed lavender smelling puppy out of the store. "My puppy...my puppy," she cried as Natalia ran it back in the shop for me. But, thankfully, Hadley was soon distracted by some real animals - bunnies!

Some of the other visitors told us one of the employees said that the bunnies like Queen Anne's Lace. Natalie helped the kids pick some to feed them.

Next, we headed over to the outdoor play area they had set up for kids. Hadley, not surprisingly, ran straight for the hoppy horsie.

Wild woman!

The other kids checked out this house first instead.

It was surprising to see they had the same kitchen set I had when I was a kid. (And I thought my mom was the only one who hung on to those things!)

Afterwards, we tried out the herb class they advertised.

This was when things began to get hairy again. Though I had sunscreened the kids, the sun was beating down on us and I had forgotten hats. I had a stroller for Reid but it was so hot that he didn't want to sit in it long. As a result, not only did I have to carry him and push the stroller, but Hadley looked at the empty stroller and decided she didn't want to walk which made it heavy to push, especially on the uneven incline where I had to navigate around the plants.

The farm was not nearly as well maintained as the previous one we'd visited nor was the lavender in bloom so it wasn't as aesthetically pleasing, but the "class" was a really good educational opportunity. The lady who worked there took us around to all the raised beds, instructing what was in each and what types of foods we might use it for. She encouraged the kids to pick a little and taste each one too.

Hadley found basket laying around and was adamant that we carry it with us.

"That is a leaf," Caleb said the first time she tried to get try the herbs.

He felt a little more convinced by the time we got to the green onions that they were safe and tried to give a little to his sister.

Caleb was very attentive and interested during this part.

Finally, it was time to make our own herb gardens. The kids got to pick out which herbs they wanted, which was a little tricky to help with since I was still trying to balance thing.

As the Caleb and Hadley began to pull at the plants and dig in the dirt, Reid wiggled in my arms as I tried to balance the stroller. This was when I started to feel a bit panicked. How was I going to help Caleb and keep up with the other two? Thankfully, right as I was feeling the anxiety mount, the "teacher," realizing I was struggling, asked if she could help saying, "You look like you have your hands full." I sure did! Thanks so much, Lavender Lady!

For $10, it was definitely worth the money just to come home with these! Caleb planted his own, but I picked up a premade one for Hadley.

It was right about the time we finished our gardens that the predicted thunderstorm started to show signs of its coming. Now I had not only three kids and a stroller but also our two lovely herb gardens to balance all the way back to the car, plus Reid was fussing and ready to eat. I made it back down to the play house to let the kids play for a minute while I topped off my infant, trying to be discrete though I'd left my nursing cover in the car. 

As I felt a few rain drops fall though, I scurried to get my brood. Caleb tried his best to help push Reid in the stroller while I carried the herb gardens and kept coaxing and pulling Hadley along, who didn't understand why we had to leave so quickly and was melting down to go back to the playhouse. The gravel road was so bumpy, I was afraid Caleb was going to tip the stroller right over with Reid in it so I had to take over there too. Thankfully, another employee came to my rescue after watching me out the window. She brought bags to put the herb gardens in so I could hang them from the stroller. With my hands freed up, I finally felt in control and we made it back to the car!

As outings go, this one was definitely a challenge. Natalia and I both agreed that next time we'll pick a less stressful option!