A-MAZE-ing Family Weekend

A couple of months before Avery was born it hit me that we only had a short amount of time left with Harlan as the only child. I was so scared about the transition of bringing a new baby home and I feared that she would think we loved her less because she was getting less attention.

With that fear pressing on my mind, I told MacKay that it was important that we set aside some time for Harlan as a little family date. Dating is so important in our relationship with our spouse (even when you’re married,) that why wouldn’t we set aside time with our children as well?

From that moment on we instituted family date days. Sometimes we take them as an entire family and sometimes MacKay and I will take one of the girls out individually for some one-on-one time. We always try to do something that the girls will really enjoy so that they know this is all about them having fun and building a strong relationship as a family. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to our family date days. It’s such a personal time for all four of us as if nothing else in the world matters.

A couple of weeks ago we ventured out of the city (which is always a special treat) for our family date day. HowAboutWe, the love and relationships site takes all of the hassle out of date night (remember the amazing dinner and night time sail MacKay and I went on,) has recently launched their Family Collection on the couples side of the site. This collection is all about family friendly fun.

I took a look at the collection an immediately knew that the Corn Maze at the Queens County Farm Museum was the perfect family date. We love fall here in the northeast and MacKay and I are very competitive in nature, it was guaranteed fun for all.

I went into the maze thinking that it was going to be so simple and we would be out of there within minutes, little did I know that three acres of corn stalks and dead-ends, would leave me shaking my head and wondering where to turn next.

Before you start the maze, you are debriefed on how to find clues that will help you find your way out. There is no map in hand, just a piece of paper with puzzle pieces of the map waiting to be filled in. There were nine mailboxes along the maze and each had a piece to the puzzle. We found all but number four, which was the key piece in finding out how to get out.

They also had signs along the way that would help give you extra clues in a crossword puzzle. We couldn’t find them all, therefore it didn’t help us at all.

As we searched and searched for the number four mailbox we made a pit stop at the water fountain. MacKay and I were intensely studying the map while the girls got water. Avery tripped over something and fell, hitting her head and scratching it, which promptly ended our maze efforts (she’s fine, no worries.) We exited at the entrance and failed miserably at finding our way out. It was probably a blessing in disguise because we could have been in there hours more searching for that darn mailbox.

Jimeson Family-0 / Queens County Corn Maze-1

Although we couldn’t find our way out, I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun all of us had and how well we worked together as a family. I’ll count that as a win!

Not only is there an amazing corn maze on the property, but it also has so much more. There was a petting zoo, a produce stand, food vendors, a pumpkin patch, and so much more. It’s amazing that this place is just a short drive from the city because it has you feeling like you are out in the country far away from the concrete jungle.

All of that time finding our way through corn stalks made us hungry for some corn. This was probably some of the best corn I had ever tasted. Perfectly sweet and crunchy. It had us going back for more!

They also had this amazing grilled cheese food truck that made some of the best grilled cheese I’ve ever had. Mine was made with truffle butter and truffle cheese. Need I say more?

The girls had a blast picking their perfect pumpkin at the pumpkin patch. Avery’s new favorite word is now pumpkin and we are setting some time aside this week to carve them! The girls picked out a princess carving kit the other day, so they are very excited to add that girly touch to their pumpkins.

Each year the farm holds a scarecrow competition where visitors can vote on their favorites. Harlan found hers.

(By the way, she totally posed like this herself without any prompting. Uh oh.)

As corny (get it?) as it sounds, I could not have asked for a more perfect day with my family. We drove home with smiles on our faces talking all about the fun we had during the day. We can’t wait to make this trip a family tradition that we do next fall (hoping that we will finally make it through that maze!)

This date now has me searching HowAboutWe for our next family adventure. I’m thinking juggling (only because I’ve secretly wanted to learn how to juggle for my entire life,) or maybe a Children’s History Museum Tour.

HowAboutWe has so many options to choose from for both you and your spouse and your entire family.

You can sign up for HowAboutWe for free and start browsing dates! And right now they are offering my lucky readers $50 off your first date by using this link: http://bit.ly/16qpzey (link applies to new members only, expires 12/31/13)

{Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by HowAboutWe. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.}