Calling All Whos

Sweet Pea took me on her field trip today. It was a very cool trip. We got to go to the movie theatre to see Horton Hears a Who. SP's kindergarten class, along with seven or eight other classes were lucky enough to attend the cinema. When I was a kid, we took trips to the water treatment plant. We got a water treatment plant color book and a drink from the water treatment plant water fountain. Sweet Pea's class got pop and popcorn.

The movie theatre was really well organised for the munchkin onslaught. They lined up drinks and popcorn on the counter and had each class parade by and choose one of each. The adults got to fill their own cups. They didn't tell me I couldn't fill mine with mini donuts, but they still seemed a bit irritated with me being behind the counter. It was also kind of strange to be going to a movie at 8:30am. But since the weather is still a bit on the winter side, this was a fine indoor field trip. Our local theatre is a pretty large complex and our screen was good sized. Even so, we almost filled it up with kids. I got to sit with Sweet Pea and she shared one popcorn kernel with me, which is pretty generous for her.

The movie was pretty good and the kids were very well behaved. No popcorn fights, no crying and only minimal cell phone use.

I was just glad to get the opportunity to do something fun with my daughter. I got to listen to her giggle with her friends and laugh out loud at the movie. She held my hand and put her head on my shoulder. It was a great way to spend a morning. Bring on the next field trip. Unless it is to the water treatment plant. Then it's Lady Di's turn.

Lunch Lady Land

Today, I met Sweet Pea for lunch at her kindergarten cafeteria. While walking through the halls to the lunch room, familiar smells brought back memories of my own lunch room adventures. I remembered some of my favorite school lunches. Pizza, burger on a bun and triangle tater tots were some of my favorites. And of course you can't forget, Sloppy Joe, Sloppy, Sloppy Joe. I never did get a taste for the school's Spanish rice though. I checked the menu beforehand and found out that we were having toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. Score!

We have discovered that Sweet Pea has been struggling to finish her food during lunch time. This usually is no problem at home. She is advanced for her age at asking for seconds. At school though, she has trouble getting through 'firsts'. Lady Di has volunteered in the lunch room a couple times and has identified the problem. It seems, Sweet Pea likes to socialize at meal time. Lady Di witnessed SP talking to her 'girlfriends', her friends who are boys, teachers, lunch ladies and anyone within earshot. This left her plate full for the first 19 minutes of the 20 minute lunch period. When the lunchroom monitor walked by saying, "Finish up. Only one minute left.", Sweet Pea went into vacuum mode. With both hands grasping utensils, she started shovelling in food like a combine in a cornfield. But in a very ladylike way I'm sure.

Today, I got to enjoy SP's company with a few of her classmates firsthand. I got to the school early so I would be at the lunchroom when SP came with her class. For the best surprise effect, I hid around a corner and waited for her class to arrive. As her line passed me I didn't see Sweet Pea. I looked around the corner to see her crying. I rushed over to her and asked, "What happened?" I guess she had bumped heads with the boy in front on her. I wiped her tears and asked it I could have lunch with her. That made her feel better. So much for a big surprise.

She introduced me to her friends and we sat down to eat. Grilled ham and cheese, corn chips, an apple and carrots. As I ate, I could see why Sweet Pea had trouble finishing her food. I hardly said a word and I couldn't finish my plate either. And I can eat pretty fast when I want to. I should probably mention that the lunch ladies gave me two sandwiches. I was happy to see that SP ate about half of her food. I was also glad that she didn't spill on her clothes because it was picture day too.

I wasn't so careful. Sorry Lady Di.

Speaking of Lady Di, she came to visit us at lunch too. LD was volunteering for picture day, so she sat with us. At the end of lunch SP realized that she would not have enough time to finish eating unless she stuffed her cheeks like a squirrel's, so she asked Lady Di, "Can I have a baggie to take this home for later?"

I don't think this restaurant does that.

I did see an untouched Milky Way candy bar in one boy's lunch box, I wouldn't have minded trading for. Who sends a full sized candy bar in a kindergartner's lunch?

Overall, we had a nice lunch date. I got to meet some of SP's friends and she got to show off her Dad a little. One of her friends asked if I could be on his dodge ball team at recess.
"Sorry", I said, "Old football injury."

Kindergarten Already?

Sweet Pea had her first day of kindergarten today. Since the bus arrives at 7:05am, I went into Sweet Pea's room to wake her. "Good Morning, it's time for your first day of kindergarten."

She opened one eye and said, "It's not morning yet."

"Oh yes it is. Let's get up for school.", I coaxed.

"Daddy, can you open my shade, please?"

"OK." As I opened her shade she drowsily slurred, "See Daddy, it's still dark out. It's not morning yet." Our little lawyer.

And thus began the first day of Sweet Pea's quest for knowledge.

Can you believe, the first day of school in her life and she is already trying to sleep in?

A few minutes later she came down for breakfast. With Sweet Pea, sleep can never compete with meals. She seemed to gather strength from her peanut butter and honey toast. Lady Di got her dressed and her hair styled and she was ready for school.

Sweet Pea's best friend rides the same bus to school so she had someone to sit with on the bus. The bus stop looked like paparazzi at Brittney's trailer. Multiple Mom's taking pictures of their kids standing together, standing alone, standing with the dog, walking to the bus, stepping onto the bus and waving out the bus window. Lady Di then jumped into the Van-mobile and followed the bus to school. She was volunteering in the lunchroom today. Even though lunch didn't start until 11:30. I think she just wanted to see that her baby got to school alright.

Anyway, Lady Di watched Sweet Pea get off the bus. With a boy! (I thought I felt a twitch at work) She then walked to her classroom. Lady Di went in to greet the teacher and tell SP to have a good day. As Lady Di turned to walk away, she felt a tug on the back of her leg. Lady Di looked down to see her Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea's sweet blue eyes told Lady Di that she had something important to tell her. Lady Di's eyes began to well as she looked around to see if any other Moms had such precious children who loved their Mommy as much.

"Yes, Sweet Pea?", sang Lady Di.

"Mom, am I having cold lunch or hot lunch today?"

You actually could hear Lady Di deflating. "Hot lunch, dear."

"Thanks, Bye Mom."

So much for a teary Hallmark moment.

We should have known. In the weeks preceding kindergarten, Sweet Pea was always telling every one that she is so excited for snack time at school. I hope she can put that much excitement into her studies. I think she will do just fine. She already has many new friends and loves her teacher. Lady Di and I are going to surprise her, and join her for lunch at her school. I can hardly wait. I hope they don't run out of triangle tater tots.