So how many of you remember the days when the words "Field Trip" filled you with joy and anticipation? As a child, those two words are almost magical...first, obviously you get out of school and second, you get to go someplace other than the school. Today, I got to go with the 3rd grade class on their field trip to Honey's Jubilee to learn about produce and nutrition. As I entered Jaxson's classroom, his teacher assigned me my buddy...Jaxson. I couldn't tell if he wanted me for a buddy or not...I kept feeling like I should have asked him, maybe he wanted another friend for his buddy but then got stuck with me. I couldn't help wondering if perhaps this is the sort of thing that might possibly traumatize him for life...someday he will be sitting across from his shrink explaining that in 3rd grade his MOM had to be his buddy. Anyway, moving on..we walked, as buddies, to the bus where we loaded up. There is something special about a school bus and I think that for kids this special something certainly adds to the magic of the field trip..as an adult, it sorta smelled like stinky feet. Jax and I found a seat towards the front of the bus, and then our journey began. As we drove to Kanab, I listened to the rather noisy chatter of 29 kids and I was amazed. I really thought that maybe this was the first time that these kids had ever driven to Kanab...but no that isn't possible, so maybe it is just that the school bus has special windows...ones streaked with kid's fingerprints, that makes the ride look so different than when driving with your mom or dad. There were several comments along the way that were said with such enthusiasim that I had to look and I admit I did feel the stirrings of excitement, such as..."LOOK, it's the Buckskin!" and "LOOK, it's the airport and my favorite..."LOOK, it's the new chapel church!" When the bus took the last wide turn into the parking lot of the local grocery store there was an awed silence and then a loud scream declaring "LOOK, it's HONEY'S JUBILEE!!...this is funny as I am almost certain that at least 99% of these children have been to this store multiple times. Judging from the excitement in the bus, you would have thought we had just arrived at Disneyland!! As the bus driver manuvered us into the parking lot, their excitement was contagious. It is certainly the first time in many many years that I have actually felt glad to be at the grocery store...it is also the first time I have been there without spending money...which truly is exciting! We got the kids in and settled and began the presentation on produce...did you know that anything with seeds on the inside of it is classified as a fruit?...bellpepper it's a fruit, squash, fruit, cucumber, fruit...I know we have all been told that a tomato is a fruit, but all these other vegetable wannabes certainly surprised me. After a quick tour of the produce section we were treated with a plate of vegetables or fruits..or let's just make it easy on everyone who is now confused fruitables...we then had a scavenger hunt for nutritious foods, and ended with a yummy fruit smoothie (I think it was a fruit, strawberries have seeds on the outside so I'm a little unsure) We then loaded back on the magic school bus and journeyed home. Today, the 3rd graders learned the importance of fruit and veggies while I learned that sometimes it is truly amazing to look through someone else's eyes for a short time, when you do (if you can block the smell of feet and clear away the smudges)I believe that for a brief moment it is possible to experience pure joy!
