Field Trip Chaperon

Since it's the month of the military child, its fitting to do a post about my recent chaperon experience with A's school.

When I was growing up, my parents were never able to come to any of my field trips.  I don't resent them for it, I understand that they were busy working and providing for our family.  I can't say that I wasn't jealous of the other kids whose parents tagged along.  I always wished my parents would come.  I know they would have if they could.

So when A's first field trip came up and her school was asking for chaperons I totally volunteered!  Right after, I immediately became nervous.  How would I handle all theses preschoolers?  I know I wouldn't be doing this alone, but the task was daunting....I'm not the best with kids. lol :)  For starters I don't have patience and I hate going to places with big crowds {unless its the mall}.  Either way, I was excited and stoked about getting to hang with my sweet pea and her school.  She was really excited too, it had been awhile since we had done something together.

Since sweet pea is attending a new school, this was actually their first field trip.  The plan was to go to the aquarium.  Its not just any aquarium, its the 3rd largest aquarium in the world.  It used to be 2nd, but a new one was built in Dubai.  We've been a handful of times before as a family so I was familiar with the place.  That put me at ease a lil bit.  For this being the first field trip this school has every put together, it was coordinated pretty nicely.  I'm sure its no picnic to plan and travel with 60 plus kids and a handful of adults.

 We traveled in nice buses up there and back.  The kids were watching Finding Nemo on the way up to get pumped for the trip.  It ended up being a beautiful spring day. We had a great time.  I loved seeing the kids light up witch each tank we visited.  I loved that A was so happy that I was there.  She made it a point to introduce me to everyone in her class.  I loved being able to talk to the teachers and staff, putting faces with names.  I loved seeing sweet pea interact with all her lil friends.  She is actually quite popular...there were lots of kids who wanted to be her walking partner. :)  It melted my heart. I literally stressed for no reason.  And I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I love that I am able to be involved with my kids' school and help when needed.

                                     

      

                            

                             

Jensen Cookie Bash

 One of my fave things to do around the holidays is decorating cookies.  It's not just Christmas season, I love to decorate cookies any holiday!  New Years, Valentine's day, St. Patricks day... You name a holiday I will bake and decorate cookies.  They aren't the nest cookies! lol but I have fun doing them with the kids.  So I've always wanted to do a cookie decorating party,  I find that Christmas is one of the best times to have one.

Last year I actually had a precursor to this cookie decorating extravaganza.  We had a big potluck for Christmas with our Oki fam and for dessert I brought cookies and decorating stuff.  It was nuts, we had about 15-20 kids {we have a big Oki fam} and no real adult supervision but myself .  The other adults were there but they were occupied with real dessert.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself!  I could tell the kids were loving it.  That's when I decided that we would do the real deal next Christmas .

Fast forward to Dec 2013.  This time we had a party at our house.  I baked about 60 cookies and bought all the fixins to make a mean Christmas cookie.  We had a bunch of kids and my table wasn't big enough for them to decorate all at the same time, so we did shifts.   It was super fun.  I know the kids were having a blast.  All the parents looked worried about sugar overdose! lol  The lil kids mainly were just eating all the decor.  Haha. The kids decorated 2 cookies each.  I did cutout sugar cookies of gingerbread men, snowmen, Santas, snowflakes, and just plain round cookies.  The kids were able to choose the shape of cookie.  Luckily we had enough of each shape and none of the kids were sad they didn't get a certain one.    I made all the kids wrap up their creations and take them home.  They didn't need anymore sugar.  So final verdict,  we will keep this as a family tradition.  It was so much fun and I love seeing the creative side of the kids.  I think next year I will add a hot cocoa bar :)