Friday, October 11, 2013

Frankie freaked me out!

 I took my students on a field trip to the pumpkin patch this morning on a (too warm) 80 degree, sunny day. It was so crowded, there were busloads of children of all ages and abilities. Frazzled teachers tried to keep up with their classes as the children ran through a corn maze, a spooky maze, a tunnel, onto the playground, up and down slides, and into the sand box.

The barn yard animals are such an attraction for city kids who've never seen a real pig, turkey or chicken up close and personal. The children were so excited when I "gobbled" at the turkey, and he spread his tail feathers and gobbled back. There were bunnies, and chicks, and ducks, and an old gray and black, overweight, slow moving dog named Buddy whose been around for a dozen years and still loves pats on his wiry head. All the kids had to stop and pat him.

The hayride out to the fields was bumpy and fun. The children saw how vegeatbles grow: corn on the cob, purple egg plant, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, strawberries, lettuce, cabbage and of course PUMPKINS! I asked if anyone liked tomaoteos and they alls aid, NO! I asked if they all likesd ketchup. Yes! I told them that before it's ketchup, it's a tomato. They didn't believe me.

There were all sorts of displays, from Disney movies, children's books and cartoons.
Everybody got a small pumpkin to bring home. Only one child refused to go into the inflatable fun house with balloon characters suspended inside. Oh the laughter and squeals as they came around a corner and saw  huge spider, or bumped into an inflated monster. As they exited, the cries rang out, "Can we do that again?"

So, of course, we did.

We walked through the covered garden center with all sorts of displays: gourds and squash in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures. There were purple pumpkins, warty green pumpkins, smooth yellow pumpkins in all sizes, orange ones, of course, most too big to lift.

Most parents accompanied us. I held the hands of two new students whose moms were a bit apprehensive to send their little boys alone on their first field trip. They trusted me to watch their children as if they were my own. Nothing will hurt them, I promised. So I held their hands most of the time.

Then it happened. We walked past one of the motion activated life-size monsters. When Franekenstein opened his mechanical mouth and shouted, Happy Halloween! the two little boys, one from Nepal and one from Bosnia, (so I am sure this was a first experience) nearly jumped into my arms. We were stumbling over each other, screeching, and finally laughing, especially when Frank started singing old time rock and roll songs.

My treat: the afternoon off and I bought three oatmeal butterscotch cookies, two for me and one for my honey. Shh! Don't tell.

12 comments:

Bookie said...

Sounds like a truly fun (and tiring) day for all! There is nothing like seeing the world fresh from little eyes! Oh and cookies are as good to older people as kids too!

Merlesworld said...

I would have got a shock too.
Merle......... .........

Anonymous said...

Bill is lucky he got at least one cookie... ;)

It sounds like a wonderful time...

Mary Horner said...

I love going to the pumpkin patch. It's one of the things I miss now that the kids are older, but I still go and linger to experience the fun as long as possible while I buy a pumpkin or two or three!

Shelly said...

That is one for great memories! Loved it-

Val said...

Come on. Admit it. You were holding the kids' hands because YOU were afraid of the monsters.

Kim Lehnhoff said...

I'd probably drag those kids away from that vicious monster - I get spooked when things jump out at me...and I'd probably need a change of pants, too.

River said...

what a fun day! We don't do the pumpkin patch thing out here in Aus, but in the last few years there have been boxes of big orange carving pumpkins in the supermarkets here.
I'll keep your butterscotch cookie secret if you keep my butterscotch ice cream secret.

Southhamsdarling said...

Oh Linda, what a fun time you all had! You must be a super teacher, and I bet the little ones love you to bits. Sounds like a great place to visit. Eli & Ruby would just love it. We've got nothing like that over here :(

noexcuses said...

What great fun for all! I remember those field trips! What a delight to see the faces of the children while they explore! I'd love to be a child in your class! Enjoy the cookies!

Pat Wahler said...

How fun! I love all the activities that come with fall. It brings back wonderful memories.

Pat
Critter Alley

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a perfect day:-)