Editors Note: This column originally published on May 24, 2016.
On Friday, both of my daughters had their last day of school. The last day of school for pre-schoolers is a field trip to Blank Park Zoo along with lunch and time to play at a park.
We had been counting down the days until we got to go to the zoo. It isn’t the first or even the fifth time they have been there in their short lives, but you wouldn’t know that by the excitement they showed.
My mom came along with us on the trip, thankfully, to help corral both of the kiddos along with any extras we had with us. The morning started like most mornings, me getting every last second of sleep possible then getting the girls ready in a organized chaos fashion.
As requested, the girls then went to my parents’ house for breakfast. My oldest daughter requested Grandee’s special pancakes, which, I guess are a lot better than mine.
I went home to throw together sack lunches for the girls, which is quite difficult since they have such a limited palate to begin with. I settled on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, oranges, chips and cookies. Not the healthiest but you can’t win all of them.
We met the girls at the zoo after their bus ride there. I’m sure they could fill up column inches on how fantastic it is to ride the bus from the excitement over riding in the thing.
The next hour or so saw us visiting each animal along with the other dozen schools who decided to visit that morning as well. I wish I could say it was a great time had by all, but I was always a little on edge making sure one of my kids didn’t wander off. The girls, of course, made the trip worth it with their genuine excitement over each creature we saw.
The visit ended on a clunk when my oldest took a spill and the world ended because she scraped her hand. We thankfully recovered and sent them on their way to the park where we would eat lunch.
To my surprise, both of the girls gobbled down their lunches. I figured with so much activity around them neither would get touched, but I guess they might have worked up an appetite since breakfast.
When they were done, they ran off to play at the impressive playground at Ewing Park. After about an hour of swinging, climbing and sliding, we decided to head home.
I can’t thank the girls’ teachers enough for everything they have done this year. I am constantly amazed with how much they learn and the new ideas and knowledge they bring home after a day at school.
I am always in awe that they not only take care of but teach 20 three and four-year-olds daily. Thanks ladies, you are awesome.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson
at jpierson@newtondailynews.com