Woooo Hoooo?!! CardioGirl?!!! Look what Em got--some snappy new Converse. With sea creatures! Aren't they just fabulous? I broke down and got my 40-something year-old feet some bumblebee ones, but I'll save that photo for another day.My pally, CardioGirl is known for her Converse low-tops--each day she posts a pair for us to admire. So, she kinda started the whole trend of them being the hot item for your tootsies. Thanks, CG, for awakening our feet to such loveliness.
I'm off on a field trip today. Yep, my very last field trip! Hooray! I hate field trips.
I hate the bus. I hate the creepy kids that I have to keep track of. I hate the other field trip moms. I hate the office ladies and their b*tchy attitude when I have to check in. And I hate how little time you actually get to spend at wherever the field trip takes me. And I really, really hate that bus. But I go, and I go with a big giant fake smile on my face. And a cute outfit on because it annoys the crud out of the other field trip moms.
Today's adventure takes us to the lakefront and the Planetarium. I usually like the Planetarium because they have this cool show where you lie back in really comfortable chairs and they light up the faux domed sky above with constellations and stuff. I love to see them light up the various stars and tell the stories of ancient times and beliefs of what the clusters of stars are supposed to mean. Most of the time I don't see the form until they connect the dots and I'm thinking "Where the hell did they come up with that??". But it is relaxing and I don't have to worry that someone has wandered off because I think they lock they doors behind you so nobody escapes during movie time. And it is quiet. And I can probably close my eyes for a second or two. And nobody will know. Except me and now, you.
Problem comes in when the teacher tells me we aren't going to the movie. Crud. Now I'm stuck looking at light-up displays and photos of planets and stars while I'm keeping the third eye poised for escapees. It's not so bad now that the kids are older, but I'm thinking the 8th graders from Thugs-R-Us Middle School are probably back to ditching the chaperone again. (There's only a month left at this school.... for FOREVER! Can you tell that I'm anxious to get out of there?) I'm hoping I just get Em and her friends for my group--I'm used to to their shennanigans, although that stupid giggling stuff really grates on my nerves.
So, after the 40 minute drive into the city, on a school bus (ack!), the 3o minutes of getting off the bus, getting organized, and then finally entering the Planetarium--I figure we'll have about 22 minutes to explore the vast building. That's when we spend another 30 minutes finding everyone again, boarding the bus and heading to the restaurant.
Em says we are going to Rain Forest Cafe for lunch. Give that teacher points for convincing the school board that this is actually educational. Or more fitting--fire that school board for actually allowing these kids to miss yet another day of teaching for a trip to a restaurant that has robotronic animals and waterfalls thinking that could possibly pass as a lesson for today.
I'm sure we'll probably spend more time at the Cafe than at the Planetarium, but who cares? I'll sit with the kids, cracking up about whatever and eat my lunch. It's supposed to be a lovely day--up into the 80's (!!) and we'll be by the lakefront. It sure beats doing laundry and vacuuming on the homefront.
Em was really excited to have me going with on a last trip together.
"Thanks for going, Mom." she says wistfully. "I can't wait--I love the Planetarium and all those plants."
Huh?! I look at her to see if she's joking. She's semi-not joking and I'm freaked out by this straight A, tied for #1 in her class, high honor roll kid.
"Uh, Em? It's the PLANETARIUM we're going to."
"Yeah. Don't they have like plants and flowers and stuff there?"
"No."
"Oh. That's what Hannah said too. She says it's all about planets."
"She's right, Em. Tell me you're kidding me..."
"Not really. But I don't care, I like planets too. What's the plant place called?"
"The Botanic Gardens, Em."
Criminy, it's gonna be a long day.
27 comments:
Be still my beating heart. I didn't even make it past the first three sentences. Will go back to read after my palpitations stop.
Every girl needs a pair of Chucks. I have'm, a nice yellow pair...kids think I am way cool when I wear'm. (God knows I need all the cool tools I can find)
My thought on the Rain Forest Cafe'--YUCK! Who cares if they are tying to pass it off as an Earth Week lesson, last time I ate there (between AMTRAK trains) it was nasty, cold food. I think I would rather ride the bus. LOL
Have fun today being "field trip mom."
You definitely have the timing of the trip down. It does usually take longer to get to the place, get off the bus/check in, round the kids up/get back on the bus and get back to school, than to see the exhibit you went to see in the first place. There was a time when I loved chaperoning field trips. Some trips are way better than others.
I can't wait to hear about your adventures.
Oooh... Sea creature Converse, cool! :)
The planetarium/botanic gardens conversation really cracked me up!
How funny to hear the parent's perspective of field trips! I hadn't considered that since I don't go on field trips due to my kids having 4 paws and fur. Hopefully it goes better than expected and you at least get to enjoy the weather and the lake!
lol
And the shoes are wicked cute, too. I've been thinking I need a pair lately.
I actually like field trips. My dd's going to a cave soon (including a boat ride in the underground lake) but it's not really baby/preschooler centered, so I have to skip.
Well I hope you at least have fun spending all that quality time with Em, you must have loads of patience being around all those kids. I always hated field trips.
I once went on a field trip with my son to Brookfield Zoo. We took a school bus from Chicago to the zoo. There was horrible construction. We got to the zoo and the teachers announced "lunch" minutes after we walked into the gates. We walked to the picnic tables and had lunch. I think we walked past the elephants and then headed back to the bus. It was a complete waste of time and the kids saw practically nothing.
My kids tried talking me into taking them to the Rain Forest Cafe at Gurney Mills mall. I went in, looked at the prices on the menu and walked out. If I want to pay those kind of prices, I want real food, not that junk. I realize you're paying for the 'atmosphere', but when you really can't afford it, it's just better to pass on it.
Cool shoes!
The field trip I was glad to miss was the trip to the San Diego Opera. The kids had been studying opera for a week and were all excited to be going.
Is it really opera when it's a field trip?
Maxie
Hmn...i'm sure that 'ditsy' conversation is affected by the giggling gaggle of girlfriends-ha! It's really cute that she actually wants you to be there! Hope you had a great trip and ended up with a good group.
CG--Aren't they the cutest?? And check out the little seahorse near the heel. I told her that you'd be proud of her when she tried them on. Of course, that sealed the deal.
Jodi--I'm trying to be brave enough to wear mine--didn't do that to Em on the field trip. I don't want to be the dorky mom trying to be cool--although I am just that, I guess. Yeah, the food was terrible, but we sort of enjoyed the day anyway. The weather could not be beat!
Merry--We had one hour at the Planetarium. One hour. We didn't have time to see any of the movies or shows, so the place was a waste. The kids and I were bored to tears. And the mouths on some of these kids were unbelievable. Not my group, but Thugs-R-Us did themselves proud. All in all, it was an uneventful, sunny, warm day.
laala--Yeah, didn't see many plants today! That Em--I tell her beauty fades, dumb is forever. At least it was good for a chuckle!
Tail--For some reason, people who don't go on these trips think it's fun. It's not. Neither are room parties--hated those more than field trips. It's really sad because you have to spend so much time with other people's kids--giving them attention, love, conversation, discipline that you know they are lacking at home. It is draining. It was lovely in the city today.
Signe--I think it depends on the trip. Every year I would go on the choral exchange with the high school, which was my fav. We sing, the h.s. kids sing--and they sing together. It was like watching "Fame" and it was lovely. I will miss that one. The biggest thing was the teacher had complete control over the group--makes for an easier day. The cave trip sounds like a blast, too bad you couldn't got. Maybe when you get out of preschool you can go! :)
Jude--Thanks for the back-up on that one Jude. Most people just suck their teeth when I moan about field trips. Em was busy doing her "tolerating" of me on the trip, she's too cool to hang with mom. But I know secretly she liked my being there and I'll get a hug and a thanks tonight. That's what I do it for.
Lola--There is NO time for anything on field trips, just traveling mostsly. But it's scary how many kids don't go anywhere, so I guess it's their only exposure to new things--sad they have no life experiences outside of that, isn't it?? Yes, the Cafe had terrible food. It was "family style" which was geared for kids in a group--chicken fingers, cold hamburgers, and pizza. Ick. But the kids had fun looking at the fish and stuff. Now I know why we don't go there.
Marilyn--Ooooh, now that sounds cool. Especially if it was an Opera specifically geared towards the kids to get them interested. I love theater and the arts, so it's great to see kids when they are first introduced to it.
I.want.those.sneakers.
OMG. Did she really say that about the planetarium? *sigh* WHAT are they teaching them in school? Even about their own field trips....
I actually have a pair of keds with elephants on them...
I can't wait to see the bumble bee ones!
Have fun on the field trip ;)
I love the sneaks, I need to get a pair of Chuck Taylors,it's been way too long since my last pair.
The bus ride IS the worst part of the field trip. You reminded me that soon, I'll have to chaperone crummy field trips for my kids and plaster on that same fake smile. I think it's hilarious that you dressed to unimpress the other moms. Good work!
Nancy--I ended up with Em's friend and two straggler boys. It was a lovely day downtown and the company was good. I actually had a nice visit with one of the moms! Em said that some of the girls actuall told her that I was "cute"!
Pricilla--I'd LOVE to see those shoes!! Maybe we should have a shoe fashion show day--hmmmm.... that could be an idea. Yeah, Em's a smart kid but every so often she has a "blonde" moment or two, although I hate calling it that.
Storm--I'll definitely have to post the yellow bumblebee shoes. They are pale yellow--not the yellow and black stripeys that you are probably thinking. I'm seriously considering a "Shoe Fashion Show" blog day where everyone has to post their favorite pair!
Casey--Most of the people that go to Em's school dress like they are coming straight from the Ditch Diggers Convention--and that's for parent/teacher night! The fact that I wear lipstick and nice clothes is definite cause for trash-talking behind my back. Whatever. Now that I know this, I go the extra mile to really look good when I go--it drives them NUTS! Today was no exception. HOT, I tell you! All for a bunch of 8th grade thugs and their moms.
Cute shoes!!
At least she likes science and gets good grades... so she messed up on what the place is called! LOL
What a great Mom you are for going though!!
That was funny stuff. Other people's kids can be annoying, but a planetarium sounds fun. I've never been to one.
I feel like you are inside my head! Just the words 'Field trip' gives me hives.
Stacie
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
P.S. I am lovin' the Chucks. Pretty sassy. I need to haul my butt over to Converse.com and get myself a pair.
P.P.S. I hope that you are not one of those people who get annoyed about P.S's in emails. Especially when you can just go back up and edit.
P.P.P.S. (<< that doesn't look right does it?) Anyway, even if you do hate the PS thing, I will probably still carry on with it because for some odd reason, I always giggle when I write one.
P.P.P.P.S. (<< has to be wrong) I need a hobby.
Stephanie--Oh, that Em gives me some crack-ups regularly. Some of the stuff that comes out of her is brilliant, other times, not so briliant. This was a "not so" time. At least she dresses well. :)
Ratty--Planetarium without the show is BORING. There were just tons of filler scattered around to keep you occupied while you wait for the the big constellation show--which we didn't have time to attend. So, the place was a yawner.
Stacie--Fortunately, this was my very last field trip forever. It was bittersweet actually. I'm really glad to be done with them, but I will miss going along with the kids. High school is so different and I try not to do those--the kids are more embarrassed if you go on those trips and most times they don't ask for chaperones.
P.S. I do like "p.s.'s" (Plural?)
P.P.S. I use them myself
P.P.P.S. A lot!
The seahorse on the heel is the very first thing I noticed. I love it! Did you get those in a store or order them online? I find it very difficult to find the cool ones (lots of patterns) at the store.
Usually the store has just the plain ones. And I am very excited to see your bee low tops. I have an idea of which ones they are, but I still waiting to see if I'm right.
Oh. Onto the field trip. Unfortunately I am starting to head into heavy rotation on those. Been to two for the 9-year-old and two for the 6-year-old and the 3-year-old doesn't do field trips yet.
Oy. Only ten more years of this. Yay team.
glad you lived to tell about it. That's how I always feel after field trips!
Those shoes are cute!
oK, I admit I hate field trips. Hubby always ends up going.
I want those shoes so bad.
HA! I love that you wore a "cute outfit" to drive the other field trip moms crazy. Good for you.
Your daughter is obviously thinking of the Plantetarium. We took many enjoyable field trips there when I was in school.
the more i see converse the more i like them, blame CG. i look at them everyday. a black pair would be nice on my feet, but my feet are so darn long, i wear an 11. i would look like i'm wearing air craft carriers on my feet.
those are cute though. can't wait to see a picture of yours.
Those shoes are uber cute...great choice Em. I wanna see the bumblebee ones, too. And -- the Rainforest Cafe for a field trip? I want to know who footed the bill? The place isn't exactly el cheap-o...I don't ever remember going to such a place for lunch on a field trip. We had to pack the sack lunch. LOL!
If I were inclined to dress up for any occasion (which I'm sooooo not), I'd do it to make the other moms jealous. IF I remembered.
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