Field Trip!

My son came home with big news last week - my presence was required for his field trip!  We found a note in his backpack corroborating his story (although he claimed I needed to go the next day, but it was actually a week away).  My husband translated the note for me, reporting that there was a school field trip to the park.  I needed to bring bento for both of us, water bottles, his sports hat, uniform shirt, and a mat for us to sit on.

After a long week of daily inquiries (is today the field trip???), it was finally time to go.  We got up and I fixed breakfast assembled our bentos (rice, little bits of leftover steak, tomatoes, daikon salad, fish cake, and more).  After getting dressed and brushing teeth, it was time to head to the school. 

We walked to school today since I wasn't sure if we should ride my bike or not.  Everyone was assembling in the schoolyard - teachers, parents, and students.  We lined up and headed out.  Walking single file, we walked over to the park. 

Right away, I noticed there were a couple professional photographers along with the group.  It was explained to me that they come to several events throughout the year.  Parents can order any photos that they want.  Then at the end of the year, parents get together to make photo albums for the kids.  It is sort of a yearbook.  The photographers are easy to spot due to their large cameras and their bright orange arm bands that they wear as identification.

As soon as we arrived, we put down our bags and started to play.  We played a couple parent and kid games like dancing to a popular song and having the kids race across the grass to their parent.  Once we "warmed up," we were given several activities to choose from.  For the next hour, we could roll down the hill, exchange name cards (introduce yourself to another student), use plants to draw colors on a piece of paper, and make some crafts. 

It was so cute seeing the kids introduce themselves!  The kids had very specific instructions for the introduction - high five, say your name, exchange name cards, and high five again.  I was amazed at how each kid followed each step. 

My son loved rolling down the hill and doing the craft the most.  It was so much fun watching him have a great time with his new school buddies. 

At 11 am, it was time for lunch.  We all sat on our mats and pulled out our bentos, ready to dig in.  Well, my son dug in while everyone else waited to say "itadakimasu," (ee-ta-dock-ee-mas) the traditional grace of sorts.  It means thank you for everything that went into bringing the food to this table.  My son was famished and didn't realize he needed to say it along with everyone else.  After a gentle reminder, his sensei put his lid back on his bento.  He smiled sheepishly at me, knowing he should have waited.  Once we said the magic word, he (and everyone else) could dine without hesitation. 

After lunch, the kids ran around and played freely.  Teachers pulled out various toys like towels to use as swings and large pieces of sheer fabric for kids to run around with (letting it fly behind them).  I was quickly caught up in swinging kids in the towels and chatting with the English speaking moms. 

Suddenly, the field trip was over.  We didn't have to go back to the school.  Since the kids were already with their parent, there was no need to walk back.  At that moment, I was glad I didn't take my son to school on my bike because we didn't need to retrieve it!

It was so fun to join my son for his first field trip.  He was full of smiles and loved spending another day in the park, this time with new friends (and a couple friends from our park group, too).  I hope to join more in the future!