First Field Trip

Today, for the first time ever I took my two youngest children on a "field trip." Now, when my older two were younger we took TONS of field trips. We went to Lowe's Foods, Food Lion, Pizza Hut, Daylight Donuts, Subway (after this trip Emily was positive she was going to be a "sandwich artist" for years afterward), the Fire Station, the Police Station, every NC aquarium and nearly every Children's museum within a 300 mile radius. However, somehow that got lost in our day to day of living. As a Kindergarten teacher in my former life, this is something I have felt very guilty over for my youngest two children. So, a few weeks ago when I saw a field trip to Lowe's Foods I decided - "we're doing it." We were supposed to go last Tuesday but due to the snow, it was rescheduled for today. We had to be there at 10:00am. We pulled up at 9:58 - just in time for this group shot in front of the store. Alexa asks - "Mom, were you late with Emily and Owen too?" No, probably not.

We get into the store. We get hats and follow the balloon cart. The very nice lady takes us around the store looking for healthy snacks. Now, since this was our very first field trip and my older two had taken this trip years ago - they were prepping my younger on things to look for. "Be sure to touch the lobster, notice how cold the freezer it, watch the boxes get smashed, taste the kiwi, eat the cookie, scan your grocery, look at the meat grinder, etc." Well, let's just say the field trip has changed in the past 6 years. The only thing that was the same was the hat, the pencil, and looking/touching the lobster. Instead of tasting a cookie, they got an orange slice and a sandwich bag of shredded wheat.

Here is Alexa and Ian posing after the field trip. The kids had a great time going around the store with a few other kids. They enjoyed wearing the hats for the rest of the day and playing with the balloon. I did learn that they are not as bad off as I thought they were. Minus the hat, other kids and following the balloon cart, they have been on this field trip a zillion times. Over the years, I have become much more of the "everything is a field trip" kind of mom/teacher than I ever gave myself credit for. I mentioned to the lady the differences in our trips. She responded, "We have such codes and guidelines as to who can go where in the store due to safety regulations and health concerns." So, our sue happy, germophoic tendencies ruined our "behind the scenes" field trip. Oh well, taken Alexa and Ian on a field trip: CHECK!

Happy Birthday Alexa

This is Alexa the day she came home from the hospital. She was already looking at Owen with a "What!" type expression and she had only known him for s few days.

This was Alexa waiting to get her first haircut - just a bangs trim.

This is her getting ready to go to her very first friend party. It was a little boy of a sister in Owen's gymnastics class. Years later, they would be in the same TaeKwonDo classes. Who knew...

This was Alexa skating on her birthday. She has to make a fashion statement even at the skating rink!

I love this picture. This is Alexa. I am surprised she is not making an open mouthed expression. She probably was but I made her stop. Alexa is the most flamboyant, exuberant, sensitive, peculiar, walk to her own drummer kind of kid. She loves life to the fullest. When she was little, I worried she had a sleep problem because as soon as she was still and quiet - she was asleep. I have pictures of her asleep in most the most precarious positions and places.

This picture was obviously at Disney. The peculiarity I was mentioning coming out here. She desperately wanted her picture taken with the prince. Our table was in an odd place and we couldn't quite figure out the prince's table pattern so he got to our table quicker than we expected. Alexa refused her have her picture taken without her gloves. The young "prince" was very kind and gracious and was helping Alexa to put on her gloves. He couldn't quite get her fingers right and Alexa was insistent that they be on correctly AND pulled all the way up. So, Ryan reached over to help the poor fellow so that he could take the picture and move on to the the next table. I am saving this picture for Alexa's wedding so that she will always know that sometimes even "Prince Charming" may need her dad's help!

This was the final product after all the fuss. Pretty as a picture isn't she?

This is my girl. She squeals in delight when happy and cries like her heart is broken when sad. You always know where you stand with Alexa. She is so excited to be 8 because she gets to get out of a booster seat. A few weeks ago, we were sitting at the mall having lunch and Alexa was doing her usual eating very slow and watching all the people around her. Suddenly, out of the blue she says: "When will Obama become President?" "January" I answer. "Well," she replies,"he had better not think of raising the car seat age to 9 or I am going to send him a strong letter filled with words I am not allowed to say!" (Owen was affected when the current car seat law was changed - he was out of a booster but had to go back in one from Jan - March.) "Alexa," I say, exactly how are you going to know how to spell all these words you are not allowed to say?" She thinks for a moment and replies "Emily - I am sure SHE knows how to spell them!" Hmmm.... I've said all along that we must channel this girl's power for good!