Scooter's 3rd Grade Field Trip

A few weeks ago I help chaperon Scooter's class field trip. It was at the Agricenter and the kids were going to learn all about trees and the forest. It started out as a nice day. We got to the center and then they took us way back into the woods where they had 5 different outdoor classrooms for the kids to explore the forest and learn about trees. We had to drive back to the area and park in a field (buses too...I drove my van) then we walked about 1/4 mile back into the woods.

We had been there maybe 30 minutes and I noticed a few rain drops. As the minutes when by, the clouds grew darker and I was getting a bit nervous. I pulled the weather map up on my phone and saw what was about to hit us......thunderstorms and hail. I poke up and interrupted the class to ask when we would be evacuating the woods. They didn't seem to worried but every parent started to become very nervous. About 10 minutes after I spoke up the lightening started and they started to evacuate.....not before the bottom fell out and it was pouring down rain. The whole 3rd grade was screaming and running through the woods and everyone was scared. I grabbed Scooter's arm with a death grip and we darted out of the woods toward the bus. I had to make sure we got out of the woods safely and that he got on the right bus. After he was on the bus I darted to my van and prayed it wouldn't get stuck in the mud. I jumped in the van and that is when I noticed I was soaking wet with a thin white t-shirt on. I searched my van for anything but of course I had just cleaned out my van so there was NOTHING. Not much else I could do but continue on humiliated! We moved the classes inside and had a good laugh about the chaos.

(Scooter is reaching into the mystery box to guess what is in there)

After the Agricenter was lunch at a close by restaurant. In my opinion this was the worst idea ever for a field trip. We got to the restaurant and they weren't expecting chaperons. What field trip comes without chaperons? Anyways they had to sit most of us around the bar and nearby bar tables. I sat at a table with another lady and a man. I ordered a strawberry lemonade (my favorite) and then went to check and make sure Scooter got his food and was where he was supposed to be.

 I went back to my table to order my food and no one was at the table anymore. I sat down ordered my meal and then the man came and sat down. So I sat there at a table alone with a man I didn't know and it surely didn't look good. I get up with my lemonade and stand by Scooter. Then my meal comes and everyone else was seated at my table so I went over to eat. About that time a drink comes to me from the bar. It was my lemonade but it was in a cute little glass and had been prepared at the bar. Oh I could feel all the eyes looking at me. I left it and decided not to drink it and just eat my meal. Then everyone gets up except the man. So now I am sitting there with a cute little drink at a table with a strange man. I am thinking it can't get worse but then the principle comes over to mingle and eyes my drink. She mentions it and not knowing what to do or say .....I offer her a sip and assured her it was just lemonade.

I am sure I was labeled the worst chaperon on that field trip. The kids had fun but it wasn't the best field trip due to so many things getting thrown at us and having to change plans last minute. I got a handful of pictures but it was way to unorganized and chaotic to get many.

(here is a picture from my spot in the corner or just one of the 5 classes in the restaurant......chaos)

 Oh well there is always a next time and I will forever have a jacket with me or in the van at all times!

To top this all off...... I was driving with an expired license.