Zoo Trip.

I took the small brother, the big brother, and the smallest sister to the zoo after school today. The next smaller sibling, Ronald, was not allowed to go by his father (step-father to my little group).

"If I don't go, he don't go," was what he said, as reported by the other kids.

"So why don't YOU take him, asshole?"  was my immediate reaction but I tried to be non-judgmental and stifle that thought.

To tell you the truth, I am really not very good at being non-judgmental. But I'm trying, I swear.

No, really, I'm trying. Just ask Josh.

Anyways. The kids were beside themselves with excitement at the zoo. Oscar, the 9-year-old, has never been there before. Tony and Samantha both went there on a kindergarten field trip, but Oscar never went.

This horrifies me somewhat.

Yes, yes I KNOW I'm all middle-class with my horror but...I have a schema for child-rearing and it includes many, many trips to the zoo.

The boys kill me. They call each other "Bro." They chatter away about this and that.

"Bro, let's race to the bridge."

"Check out the snake, Bro!"

Both of them have "girlfriends."

Again with the horror.

"Boys! You aren't old enough for girlfriends! Stop it right now!"

They chuckled with good humor at my archaic point of view.

We ate at California Tortilla afterwards. Little Samantha sang songs from High School Musical and waggled her hips and danced.

It was a lot of fun but I was tired and I was glad to get home to a bowl of chocolate ice cream and my couch. And in a few minutes, my bed.

Tomorrow? Yardwork and house cleaning. Oh, the glamour.

Comments

[Wende]

No zoo?? I'm so glad you rectified that situation! It looks like they had a blast.

[Margaret]

I love going to the zoo and visit them in most of the cities we go to. Stupid St. Louis closes their zoo at 5 so we won't make it there. It looks like lots of fun was had by all!

[Gail]

Yo girl, glad you took the 'Bros' and their sis to the zoo. Give yourself some some sprinkles on that ice cream. You deserve it.

[Liza Lee Miller]

How cool. I totally get the attempt to be non-judgmental. It's soooo hard. Sigh. Looks like a great trip! Lucky kids. Lucky you!

[blackbird]

I abhor the zoo. And painting, which I'm doing MORE of today.
But it was GRAND of you to take them.

[Vanessa]

See? Above and beyond. That's you. Don't ever doubt that you're a wonderful teacher. And a decent human being. Wish more kids had teachers like you, Mary.

[Kathryn]

Yay for the zoo. I think no childhood is complete without multiple trips to science centers, zoos, and children's museums. I'm hopelessly (upper)middle class, though. It's hard not to judge.

[Ree]

You're such a nice person. They're lucky to have a friend like you.

[Pam L]

9 years old and no previous zoo experience, now that's sad. We went to the zoo often when the kids were little. First of all it was cheap, there were lots of trees for cooler summer excursions and it's right next to the natural history museum here so we could hit both if we were so inclined. Since we went so often, we didn't feel like we had to see everything every time, which works great for kids with short attention spans. But after school? Wow! you're brave, although I bet it wasn't too crowded that way. Go you!

[Belle]

Yep, the zoo is a must for all children. A farm is also a must - but do you have any of those around your place? I'm a midwest gal and we are surrounded by all those big fat cows and pigs and chickens and the good smells that come with them. ha

I think I need to adopt a few grade schoolers just to have some fun. It's been a long time since I've seen those wide-eyed fresh faces who still want to learn something!

[maddy]

Sounds like a great trip for them.

Three kids at the zoo = very tiring for the grownup!

[Keri]

The photo? And the picture in my head of you there with these beautiful babies? Priceless.

[Hope]

There is a zoo less than 5 miles from the school, to transport 3 classes of 1st graders they want $300. A trip to the Jelly Belly factory an hour away is planned, it makes absolutely no sense.