Entry FeedYesterday I got to go on Son One's grade two field trip. I forgot the advil, but fortunately another mom on the bus was well prepared.
Don't you miss those yellow school bus riding days? Oh wait. Not really. The seats are still uncomfortable vinyl and the windows that may or may not open. Something new that I noticed - a "Body Fluid Clean-up" kit at the front of the bus beside the first aid kit. Great. I was glad there was no call to use it.
We visited the Kortright Centre for Conservation. I had been there before with the kids for the maple syrup sugaring off. They also had huskies and dog sleds. It is great, and just minutes out of the city.
My son's grade two class has been learning animal classifications in their science program, and that was the focus of the field trip. I have to be honest - though always an animal lover, I just yesterday learned the difference between reptiles and amphibians. I mistakenly believed that amphibians were a class of reptiles. (Note: If you don't know, look it up yourself! Geesh! You want me to give you all of the answers?)
It was a nice day, and we had two different hikes through the wooded conservation area. The kids were too noisy to actually see a lot of wildlife, though we saw a swan couple with their five little cygnets (yes, I did know what baby swans were called before yesterday.) We also had a marsh expedition where the kids all received a sieve and got to "fish" for living organisms. It was actually pretty cool - the invisible midge larvae and the tadpoles with legs. But there were too many leeches for my liking. Lots and lots of leeches. Apparently, according to Mrs. B (our Kortright guide) too many leeches is a sign of pollution. Something else I learned!
I love being at home, and being able to go on field trips like this with my kids. It helps me get to know their teachers, their classmates, and their behaviour! At some point my kids won't want me around. But yesterday, Son One actually wanted to hold my hand and walk with me through the woods, even with all of this friends watching. We shared his lunch box, a seat on the school bus, and I learned about amphibians. What more could you want?