"One, two, three, four
I declare a thumb war.
Five, six, seven, eight,
try to keep your thumb straight."
I declare a thumb war.
Five, six, seven, eight,
try to keep your thumb straight."
I heard this chant probably 100+ times on Monday as I chaperoned my first of what is sure to be many field trips. As we bounced along in a big yellow school bus, I realized that once again my life had come full circle. The last field trip I attended would have been one of my own. It is amazing how an experience like that can bring back feelings, tastes, smells, and memories one might have thought were long lost.
I can still remember the excitement of having my Mother accompany me on a class field trip. I felt so honored to have her as the leader of my 4 person group and especially "safe" with her there at arm's length.
On Monday I had the privilege of seeing that excitement reflected back to me in my own child's face. He melted my heart when his little voice said, "Sit by me, Mom! Sit by me!". Without hesitation, I sat down, gave him a squeeze and off we went on our little adventure.
After our one hour+ bus ride (an inordinate amount of time for thumb warring, I might add), we arrived at our destination...an old church which now houses a puppet and marionette show. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the show. There were lots and lots of giggles and Richie very generously shared two FULL kernels with me from his complimentary bag of popcorn.
After the show we ventured to the park to enjoy our brown bagged lunches. And had it not been a frigid 40 degrees at the time, I'm sure a picnic lunch at the park would have been just lovely. After all, there is nothing that says "lovely day for a picnic" like winter coats, gloves and a chewy granola bar turned CRUNCHY.
I think it goes without saying that we were all more than happy to return to the warmth of the puppet theater in order for the children to create a puppet of their own. (Ever wonder why...if it goes without saying...that I must still say it?). The puppet creations were all a big hit and I'm sure they suffered only minor injury as they were stuffed (glue still wet) by little hands into gallon sized Ziploc bags. See below for a picture of Richie's creation.
All that to say, a good time was had by all, and although I could do without hearing the thumb war chant again for quite some time, I wouldn't trade the day for anything.
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30 comments:
What a perfect day! I love school field trips. Glad you had a great time with Richie!!
What a fun day! Bummer it was sooo cold for the picnic. BRR!
It will be a memory Richie cherishes forever. It is amazing how getting on a yellow school bus can bring back so many childhood memories.
You are one sweet mama. Richie will never forget it.
How fabulous!
I get to go on a field trip in a couple of weeks and I am SO excited! (We don't "get" to ride the bus though, Thank God, because they make me car-sick!)
When my oldest son was in 4th grade we went on a bus trip and as soon as we got on the bus there was a kid that ended up being a little bully-ish about the back seats. My son kind of got his feelings hurt a little bit and plopped down in the seat next to me instead. I had brought my ipod and we shared it the whole way there. By the time we arrived other kids were looking at PJ with envy. I hung out with him the whole time, at one point he asked me why I wasn't with the other Mom's and I told him that I didn't sign up to go on a field trip so I could hang out with other moms...I signed up so I could hang out with him! When we went to board the bus to come home he didn't even hesitate to sit next to me.
He is in middle school now. No more field trips. I am SO thankful I have the many trips to remember...and I am so glad I still have two more kids to create memories with! Even if I have to ride a bus!
very fun. i SO remember the thrill of a field trip! love that you got to enjoy that with richie!
You are SUCH the cool mom!...and Richie knows it. :o)
I just signed up for a 1st grade field trip to a farm....animals...the whole nine yards...in fine print at the bottom of the permission slip it said...in case of rain, we will still go! Excuse me??!!
Alana, Sounds like a lot of fun. I am really bummed today because my first grader is going on a field trip today and parents are not invited. I was offended and concerned. No one watches my kid like I do. Then I remembered God loves her and He is watching out for her. I feel better, but I am still sad to be missing out.
I'm so glad you and Richie had a great time. I'm a little (okay, a lot) bummed too. I wasn't able to go with Ellie today. She cried, and it broke my heart. Seriously though, I tried my hardest to work it out, but it just wasn't to be done. I promised her I'd go on the next one, and I'm praying God can help me keep that promise! She was still excited though, at the thought of her field trip. So hopefully she has a great day.
sounds like a fun day...minus the cold. :)
I love memories like that where you are creating moments with your child and they still TOTALLY want you to be there with them. 40 degrees and a picnic though? Whew! I might've snuck my child back into the puppet theater to eat there. I hate being cold! Great post.
I think it is absolutely wonderful you got to go on the field trip. What wonderful memories you are making with your family.
what a sweet post. did you get "bus" sick on the trip? such a fun and wonderful memory, especially for your son!
Oh, I could cry just thinking about Jack even ON a school bus!
What a special memory...I bet he'll think the same as he looks back on it!
Remember wrapping a your Coke in aluminum foil (as of that would keep it cold) and getting so excited about special food in your brown bag?
Xandra
Sounds like fun!! :)
I've been on a few of those myself!
Actually, I have two bus trips coming up in the next couple of weeks. The Children's Choir is going to Ohio and our Wednesday kid's program has a tournament in IL. Should be a fun time!
Sounds fun! So glad you guys had a great time!!
You are a great mom!! I try to go on Keilani's field trips, but my school has not allowed me much this year. Sounds like wonderful memories... AND you still have your sanity!
Field trips are the best!!! In our school, parents dont get to ride the bus, though - we have to drive and meet the kids there. I always think of how much fun I had on field trips (cool mornings, mountain dew cans wrapped in aluminum foil, bag lunches - who's gonna be my parnter?) and its neat to know that my own kid is making fun memories.
Need any Nana's for a future fieldtrip? This retired Pre-School teacher sure misses the "simple" fieldtrips geared for Early Childhood experiences. I guess I never grew beyond Early Childhood. That's why I try to share some of those experiences with my grandsons.
Alana,
Everywhere I go, I see you face in the comment box! I had to laugh today - how is it that I have not officially "met" you yet? We seem to travel in the same circles. Sometimes I get in a rut, and today I'm wondering, "why?" So here I am, my name is Jen, and it's very good to meet you! :) Happy weekend to you and your family.
Yeah!! When I taught I always loved taking the children on field trips. So many fun memories. we didn't have thumb wars though...we sang and sang and sang some more.
Sounds like fun, Alana. Memory making days like this are just so sweet.
Yay for you for going on a field trip!
Just found your site and enjoyed looking around.
Love (that should be LOVE!) the donuts and wish I had those legs. Consuming the donuts while wearing the $50 shoes...would that help offset things? Worth a shot!
That is so neat that your son wanted you to sit by him on the bus. Field trips were my favorite part of school.
first of all, you are just "oh so popular my dear" with all these comments...i fell like we're best friends with all the blogs i read of your...I LOVE IT! hehe
secondly, it looks as though the son is taking after dad! ;-) soon this art creation might turn into something like an AMAZING butterfly sculpture!!
you're just such a great mom!
Yesterday on the way home from school, I noticed that there were a couple hundred college kids in the yard beside the Milligan baseball field. They had a huge plastic slide covering the ground and had a huge hose attached to the fire hydrant - it was a huge slip-n-slide. Then on the local news last night they showed footage of Marvelous (or was it Magnificent) Monday at Milligan College. I told my husband, I have to tell Alana!!!
One two three four...OH WAIT...you are sick of that. ;)
I remember so vividly when my parents were on field trips with me. I just loved it! Good for you - enjoy many more.
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