Fall Fav: ECO Center

Last year we attended ECO Center's grand opening and we knew that we'd be back next fall for more fun!  We decided to invite Kate's very best friend ever, Libby, and she and her mom, Jenni, met us there.  It was a perfect fall day and so absolutely wonderful to support a friend and see how much has changed in a year at this very cool place.

ECO Center is thriving.  In the last year they've added a ton and even gotten land grants to help fulfill other dreams.  They have clear goals for expanding and have done such an awesome job with what they have.  We had an AWESOME time together!  Libby and Kate just adore each other.  Maya was wonderful, as usual, and Jenni and I have really enjoyed getting to know each other through our girls being best buds.  The friendship between these two runs deep and I'm glad we've been able to get them together outside of school!

Kate and Libby rode on the barrel train first!

And this was the best "How Tall This Fall"
photo I got.

Libby and Kate take over the corn bin!

And meet a new addition, a bunny!
By the way, that's Emily too!

On the train again!  Kate in the tiger car, Libby in the zebra!

Or "Libs" as Kate says!

My littlest pumpkin!  Emily let us borrow her
daughter's old pumpkin hat because there was a
lot more wind out than I had anticipated!

Libby coming down the tube slide!

And then Kate!

They went down this slide no less than 47 times each!

And had so much fun every single time!

Just waiting in line for the tube slide...again...

First taste of s'mores!

I would say they were BIG fans!

Best friends!

I adore Kate's expression in this photo!

This is totally one of those photos that needs to
be reenacted in, like, 15 years!

Libby is such an adorable friend and her Mom, Jenni, is awesome too!  I am so proud of Kate for already picking an excellent choice in a friend and I look forward to these two keeping in touch for many, many years!

Aside from my car not starting on the drive home, it was a PERFECT fall day, and we were so happy to spend it with Libby and Jenni, outside, at ECO Center!  Mark my words, we will be back!

Following a Dream: Eco-Center

I used to work with a girl named, Emily.  Emily is my age and while we were at work we talked about our dreams and aspirations sometimes.  During one of these conversations Emily told me about one of her dreams of starting her own business for an outdoor educational play area for children.  I was in full support of this because of the amazing time that we had at Saunders Farm on our trip to Ottawa.

Emily ended up leaving the company to pursue her dream, and that is exactly what she did.  Not even a year later, she opened Eco-Center, and Kate and I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening today!  There was a corn bin to play in, a hay maze with a slide, lots of outdoor activities and learning areas, lots of fall decor, and a bit of food to choose from!  Kate and I had a blast exploring Eco-Center and even though it is over an hour away from us I am sure that we will be making this one of our Fall stops!

First stop: the corn bin!

We LOVED the corn bin!

We played in it the longest of all the activities!

And I found corn in places I didn't know existed for the rest of the day!

Diaper included!

Corn baby!

Saying hi to the goats!

Some Eco-animals made from recycled materials.

Cutie!

This tall this fall!

More than anything I am so proud and impressed by Emily.  It's not everyday that you hear someone talk about something so spectacular and then actually do it.  Her perseverance and determination is definitely something to be admired and we will fully support the rest of her decisions for Eco-Center!