Preschool field trips

Getting on the school bus - Zabien first time riding

This semester, the Pennridge Nursery School (where both Zabien and Eliza currently attend preschool), went on several field trips, and I (and Hazel) got the privilege to chaperone 3 trips.  Their first field trip was to the Landis supermarket.  This doesn't sound too exciting, but we got a behind the scenes tour of the grocery store, and the kids were super excited about it.  We started out in the produce section where the store manager asked the kids what kind of fruits and vegetables they could see.  Zabien, still new to the whole preschool thing, quietly listened and looked around the store.  After the kids answered and the manager moved on to the next thing, Zabien clearly yelled out, "broccoli, bananas, carrots."  You can tell what kinds of things he likes. 

He also really enjoyed the cardboard smasher and the giant refrigerator.  When we got to the deli, the store clerk showed us the cool pineapple slicer machine.  She had a whole plate full of pineapple to offer all the children.  Zabien made it a point to say that he didn't like pineapple.  When the plate came around the second time, he decided to try one.  So he ate one, then another, then another, then another, then another - until he had eaten probably a dozen pieces.  Later that evening at dinner he proudly exclaimed, "I really like pinecones!"  Hillarious! 

Zabien and Eliza with their friends Amalie and Amara

As part of the tour, we got to see how they cute meat, slice cheese for the deli, and decorate cake in the bakery.  We even got to try some cookies and chocolate milk.  The bakery was kind enough to open a special package of sugar cookies that didn't come in contact with peanut items just for Eliza.

The second field trip I chaperoned was to the Iron Pigs baseball game.  Bruce actually attended this one with us.  We thought it would be a good family activity - one we've been trying to do but haven't gotten around to it yet.  Unfortunately, it rained and rained and rained.  We were wet and miserable (especially Hazel) and after a rain delay, we only got to see about 30 minutes of the game.  Fortunately, the Iron Pigs felt bad that the school day was pretty much rained out, they gave all the kids enough free tickets to come back on a better day with their whole family.  Score!!

Waiting on the canopy for the rain delay to be over

Finally, we went to the Elmwood Park zoo.  I heard that Eliza gave everyone a Disney princess concert on the bus ride over.  Preschool has made her come out of her shell.  I really have mixed feelings about this zoo.  For one thing, it is incredibly expensive for how small it is and how very few exotic animals they have - in fact, they don't have any exotic animals.  On the other hand, it's pretty small and therefore very doable with small children who tire easily.  You literally can see the entire zoo in less than an hour, but like I said before.... if I'm going to pay that much for entrance, I want to see lots of animals.  Needles to say, the kids pretty much hung around with their big buddies Sandra and Brenna.  I mostly hung out with Hazel who wasn't real impressed with the animals.  The weather was perfect, much improved over the rain we had the week before.  I don't have any pictures of us there, I don't remember why - maybe I was too busy chasing around Hazel to snap any good ones.