First First Grade Field Trip

I wasn't sure how today's field trip was going to work since they were calling for 100% chance of rain (did I mention it was all outside?!), but I was sure that I couldn't wait to share the experience with Gracie.

I know how thankful I need to be (and am!) that Garren's job can be flexible when needed. Many other mom's and dad's don't have that luxury.

Since the elections are over, and I begged almost a month in advance, daddy stayed at home with Thomas, and mommy went with Gracie on her first First Grade field trip.

I arrived at the school early and was glad, since they were already changing plans. Since it was so wet they decided to come back to the school to have lunch in the classroom. This also meant crossing off the playtime as well.

I took pictures of the kids getting on the bus, and then I followed the bus to the Meadow Farm Museum in Glen Allen. Since I don't know where anything is--I followed very closely! Not that it was that hard. We were on 295 which has 4-5 lanes and the bus was being followed by 8 parents in cars, all of us doing 55 (the speed limit is 70, but if you have ever been behind a bus you know they go pretty slow and safe) in the slow lane. I am sure it was quite a sight to see from other morning commuters.

The kids were obviously excited as they got off the bus and we attempted to make some order of them. I got 3 kids in my "group," and the three other volunteers and Miss. Anderson got 3-4 as well.

The kids first saw a video about the family who lived on the Meadow Farm, and then our class went with one historically dressed tour guide, and the other class went with the other dressed guide. (How refreshing that only 2 classes went. Last year there were 9 Kindergarten classes all together on the field trip!)

Our class looked at all of the animals first. They saw and pet hens, sheep, pigs, the biggest cow I have ever seen, and a horse. We also saw the garden, and the barn.

Thankfully the rain held off. It was cool outside, but not cold. Many of the kids were getting over-heated in their coats. And it was wet and the leaves made things a little slippery, but I was thankful there wasn't mud everywhere.

When we finished with the animals the tour guides switched groups and it was our turn to see inside the house. The kids were on their best behavior, and thankfully so, since they couldn't touch anything in the house, and the little house behind the big house--including the walls!

Inside the house (in the basement, which was called the "warming kitchen") the kids sat down at the end of the tour and were told about the family's 9 children and how they did things like get baths, played, ate, etc.

This field trip was reinforcing their lessons on past, present, and future and time lines and such.

We saw the small house which was used for a Dr.'s office by the man who owned the property. They never used the word plantation--but I think that is the best way to describe it.

The tour was over and after every child was sure they couldn't wait to go to the bathroom before returning to school, the kids loaded the bus again.


Since I had picked up Subway sandwiches for Gracie and I to share at the field trip, I dropped her sandwich off at the school before heading home to return to "Thomas duty."

I asked Gracie if she had a good time, and she said a very loud "yes."

Since the kids didn't get to choose souvenirs or spend any time in the gift shop (which was planned that way), I thought it would be neat to make Gracie a souvenir. One of the guides showed the kids handkerchief dolls that the littlest girls would have until they learned to make their own dolls. So, while Thomas was down for a nap--I made her one as a surprise for when she got home from school.

She loved her doll and named her Lacey. Mommy was sure to make one for Miss. Anderson too.

I love days like this! Even in First Grade, I still miss my Gracie very much when she is at school--and getting to go and help out and see her with her little friends makes my day!

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