Savoring life

There was a point recently when I started to really kick myself for not making sure the girls were taking advantage of the city we live in as much as possible. 

AMB Field Trip: Queens Botanical Gardens

The last field trip the Eagles took was to the Queens County Farm at the end of February and Carolina missed it because of a sick day. I was really bummed for her, but I knew there would be a few more chances to get out this semester. So I was happy to volunteer to chaperone their trip to the Queens Botanical Gardens at the end of March. The day was sunny and bright even if the winds were chilly. The kids were pretty amped to be outside and they really tried to listen to the tour guide as she took us around the gardens. Of course, Carolina started in about being hungry and wanting snacks as soon as we got off the bus. I brought a few contra band items for her to enjoy, but we waited until lunch to do the real swap out for sandwiches. Apart from the greenhouse tour which was a warm spot on a cool day, I really loved watching the kids run around the open space on the hill after lunch. It's one thing to learn all about seeds and plants and how the cycle of life works. But it's another to see these little minds happy to run free after a morning of exercising patience and control. The classroom lesson on eating an orange and taking its seeds to plant in a small container was good, if somewhat boring. Getting to eat lunch outside and then take off to play was the real highlight of this break from school. They rolled down the hill again and again, helped each other collect sticks to make a "fire" pit, and generally acted like the exuberant kids they are. This marks the homestretch in terms of finishing up preschool and every day I am reminded that they are just about to begin their real learning journey. I'm glad Carolina has found so many great friends amongst this group. And I really look forward to seeing them grow even more as they start Kindergarten in the fall. 

AMB Field Trip: Paper Bag Players

Just before Midwinter Break, Carolina's preschool class had its first field trip of the year. You would have thought it was Christmas morning based on Carolina's reactions each night at bedtime. Only 2 more days til the field trip...only 1 more day...The destination was Queensborough Community College out in Bayside where the Paper Bag Players performed one of their comedic routines called Pop Pop Popcorn. I had heard that they were a fun theatre group and without knowing much about them, I was mostly excited just to see the kids' reactions. And boy, did they have some good reactions. Carolina and Mason were my two charges and they were definitely amped up. The bus ride there was about a half hour and I think they bopped and kicked and laughed most of the way. By the time we rushed in to the parking lot and shuffled inside, the show was already slated to start. But I suppose they know the pace of preschoolers and there was actually still a bit of a wait before the curtain went up as the last few arrived. 

Afterwards, we had a starving group of 4 and 5 year olds and bag lunches with no where to sit and eat them. We tried to ask about the cafeteria but since the campus was actually closed for a president's birthday, we couldn't get in anywhere else. And the bus wasn't going to meet us for another 20 minutes. So as the theatre staff turned to leave us alone, I figured it was our only chance to get these kids to eat. We corralled them into a corner of the entryway and they sat shoving bits of sandwiches and fruit into their little bellies. Of course my girl wasn't too keen on the lunch offerings, but I came prepared with a few contraband items and so she had a little bit to eat on the way back. It didn't take long before the campus security came over asking us to leave. We phoned our bus driver and made our exit. The ride back was smooth and the kids returned to school with big smiles. I passed out some gummy heart Valentines with Paw Patrol cards and tattoos that I'd picked out for Carolina's friends. The class loved them and it gave the kids something to take home from a fun day out. I can't say that chaperoning is always a breeze, but today with this crew it was alright.