On a recent Tuesday morning, my four-year-old son and I found ourselves surrounded by a cast of Pygmy and Nubian goats, numerous hens, and a handful of Babydoll Sheep. Nearby, a Great Pyrenees dog named Justice wrestled Cupcake the pot-bellied pig. This was clearly no ordinary story time; this was story time 1818 Farms style.

What is 1818 Farms?

Located in charming Mooresville, 1818 Farms is owned by Laurence and Natasha McCrary. The farm, where the McCrary’s are raising their three children, has been in Laurence’s family for seven generations. Though Mooresville is just a 25-minute drive from downtown Huntsville, being there feels like stepping back in time.

Our Story Time Adventure

It happened to be drizzling the morning we visited the farm, but nothing could dampen Natasha’s obvious enthusiasm for her farm. We began the hour-long Story Time Adventure with a visit to the farm’s lovable collection of residents:

Great Pyrenees dogs
Black female pot-bellied pig
Olde English Babydoll Southdown sheep
Pygmy goats
Chickens
Barn cats

A “city-kid”, my son was mesmerized at the opportunity to be this close to the kinds of animals that he’s mostly only read about in books. The children helped Natasha gather freshly laid eggs – one of which was still warm. After a thorough hand-washing, the kids were ready to settle in for a few stories in the farm’s Garden House.

A Whole New Meaning

The books Natasha read about life on a farm took on a whole new meaning in the current context. Story time was followed by a fall-themed craft. The children colored, painted, and added stickers to an adorable picture of a scarecrow in a pumpkin patch. Before we knew it the hour was up and it was time to say good-bye (’til next time!) to our favorite animals. I hate to play favorites but Cupcake, the potbellied pig, is pretty precious.

Schedule Your Event

If you’re looking for a unique site for your child’s next birthday, consider having the party at 1818 Farms. Birthdays at 1818 include invitations, a take-home craft, and straw farmer’s hat party favors. Guests will play old-fashioned games and get to help with farm chores – such as collecting eggs.

Kids aren’t the only ones who get to have fun at 1818. The farm’s Garden House is an ideal venue for showers, luncheons, or any intimate get-together. The Garden House can comfortably seat 26 guests and has a lovely view of a field of flowers and a vegetable garden.

Plan Your Trip to the Farm

Story Time Adventures at 1818 Farms is held at 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The program is geared for children ages 3 to 5. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Plan on wearing weather appropriate clothing. You can register your child for a session through the farm’s website.

Look forward to more great things from 1818 Farms. Adult classes on such topics as canning, raised bed gardening, and entertaining are in the works. Like 1818 Farms on Facebook or follow them on Twitter to make sure you don’t miss a thing!