Come play in my world for awhile!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Field Day

Friday the kids had an amazing event at the school -- Field Day. When I was growing up my schools didn't engage in this activity so I had no preconceived notions. I imagined there would be potato sack races, some assorted relays, and a good amount of goofing off. A request was made by the PE teacher for volunteers, so I threw my name into the proverbial hat. I was told to check in at 8:30 on the day of the event.

When I arrived at the school I was amazed. The entire perimeter of the school (and this is a school that houses 700 kids!) was set-up with booths. There were Field Day 2008 tattoo stations, Popsicle rest areas, bubbles, music, and an abundance of water games, relay races, and obstacle courses. There was also a huge sidewalk chalk mural waiting to be filled in by the kids. I especially liked the sidewalk mural. As each child passed through this station they decorated and personalized a square within a larger grid of squares. The finished product was great.

Each individual area was clearly outlined, stocked with supplies, and ready for a parent volunteer to jump in and take it over. I have to admit that I got a little tingle of excitement -- military-caliber organization with a side of fun and games makes me one happy mommy! I enjoy volunteering at the school and do quite a bit of it, but this looked as though it was going to be even better than normal. I walked happily to the check-in area and received my assignment: The Sneaker Hunt.

In order to understand the procession of the rest of the day let me start by explaining how Field Day works as well as the rules of the Sneaker Hunt. Field Day lasts from 9:00-12:30. Children participate with the kids from their individual classrooms. An air horn sounds at 10 minute intervals, and the groups move concentrically through the stations. So far so good. Clearly defined parameters, timed events, articulated objectives; I was getting getting happier by the minute.

The premise of the Sneaker Hunt is simple. You divide the class into two teams. Everyone removes their shoes and throws the shoes into a pile. The shoes are randomly divided into two buckets that are placed 15 yards away. The kids run one at a time to the buckets, find one of their shoes, put it on, and then run back and tag the next person. The process repeats itself so that each person has their original two shoes back on their feet, and whichever team finishes first wins.

As I begin tweaking my station for maximum efficiency (yes, I know I have a problem) I quickly become aware that I am smack dab in the middle of the field with no shade - anywhere. To add insult to injury it was supposed to push 90 degrees, and I didn't wear sunscreen. Undaunted, I watched as my first group of kids approached. The relay went well, and the kids thought it was great fun. As the day slowly progressed I started doing a little shtick about smelly feet and stinky shoes, and the kids seemed to think I was pretty funny. Apparently, these are some highly intelligent kids.

About an hour or so into the event (I also forgot my watch) I commented to the mommy working the station next to me that I was looking forward to being relieved by the next shift. She looked at me strangely, and told me that there was no next shift. It seems I didn't realize that the volunteers were committing to the entire four hour window. So I hunkered down to fulfill my obligation. I also added a bottle of cold water to the list of the many items I didn't bring with me.

A little more than half way through the day my shtick about the smelly feet became a reality. Hot day + hot kids + running around = smelly feet. One child shared proudly that his feet smelled "extra stinky" because he doesn't like to wear socks with this his shoes, and he wasn't kidding. His mother must be thrilled. At this point I started making the kids put their own shoes in the buckets. Nowhere in the rules did it say that the mommy volunteer has to touch the smelly shoes.

Fortunately, the modification to the plan worked. The stench of ripe feet only assaulted me occasionally now. I shuffled a few more groups through and began to notice that my shoulders were tender. Stupid sunscreen. Oh well, at least I was in the final stretch.

Then came the kindergartners. The kindergartners were hot and tired, but completely excited to be there. I spend at least two hours a week in each of the kindergarten classes (because that is where Abby and Emily are!) so the kids and I were even more excited because we knew each other well. The children laughed extra loud at my well honed smelly feet routine. We were all excited to be together, and and we began the relay with enthusiasm. It pretty much went straight downhill from there. Let me just bullet point some of the problems:

  • Mommies with good intentions tied their kids' shoes extra tight, with monster knots. And with good reason; you don't want little Johnnie tripping over his shoe laces and face planting in the middle of Field Day. Half the kiddos couldn't get their shoes off of their feet!
  • Kindergartners (even mine) have the smelliest feet of all.
  • Kindergartners can't tie their shoes quickly, and sometimes they can't tie their shoes at all.
  • Kindergartners are very particular. They do not like grass inside their shoes. They do not like their shoes tied with specific knots. They become immobile when they feel their standards have been compromised.
  • Kindergartners are not attentive to details. Some of the little angels had put shoes on that did not belong to them.

So the horn sounded, and the next group - also kindergartners - starts to file in. So here is the problem. I have my original group with their shoes half off because we didn't finish the relay. I am trying to sort out which shoes belong to which kids, make sure shoes are on the correct feet, tie shoes, pull the tongue up from the bottom of shoes so that kids can actually fit their feet back in, and just generally trying to get everyone moving to the next station. In the midst of this the next group of kindergartners comes in and takes their shoes off (without being asked) and tosses them into the mix. It's part of the game, right?! Oh, and apparently, lots of us mommies shop at the same store, too, because lots of kids have the same shoes! Now there is even more confusion as to which shoe belongs to which kid. Large numbers of adults were summoned, and the crisis was averted, but sheesh. I got completely worked over by a bunch of kindergartners.


By the end of the day I was hungry, thirsty, sunburned and tired. I would do it again in a heartbeat!! The kids had soooo much fun, and I had more fun than they did.



Do I look hot?!?

10 comments:

Leslie M said...

You're in year-round school? Explain it to us!

Anonymous said...

Ha! All I can say is...."You are such a better sport than I am!" Heha! I love that you type like you talk. I can just hear you speaking it! Can I give a request? I would love pics of the home!!! Inside...if you please? ;)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Thank you, that was extremely valuable and interesting...I will be back again to read more on this topic.

Anonymous said...

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonpursessalenow.com/]louis vuitton handbags[/url][/b] In addition, all of them are bought at an unforeseen reduced price. I be certain we are able to fulfill you requires at Mentor Outlet Retailer On-line. What you should do is usually to pay a visit to our on the net shop quickly, and get the solutions that you simply extensive for back again towards your residence.. Up coming, seem for tasks that basically require plenty of your time, but can be accomplished by another person else. If your little ones are as well youthful to help you stroll the pet, you could choose to consider hiring a puppy walker to provide your pooch his daily workout. Errand providers can also be a good time saver.

[b][url=http://www.uggsoutletshopus.com/]uggs boots outlet[/url][/b] Do your research and investigate various organizations, forms of policies, and choices. It is rather simple to perform currently and can be carried out from the World-wide-web. Glance for your greatest number of protection you may need and examine rates. The profit you have while is always that this could carry more than a single possibility so even though some others are having difficulties you are likely to have choices. It is also your home that serves to many others. One thing I recognized with lots of charts I browse is that if you have Jupiter while in the sixth home immediately after it's just passed within the fifth household of affection it'll make the individual in love "serve" to its partner/lover.

[b][url=http://www.uggsoutletonlinemarket.com/]uggs outlet online[/url][/b] We caught up with High University Musical star Vanessa Hudgens (who was just noticed entrance row at the Diesel Black Gold presentation with Chace Crawford) on the Marc Jacobs Drop 2011 present to find the inside scoop on what she thought of all of the polka-dots, latex, and Minnie Mouse-inspired fashions within the runway. It had been her initial New york Fashion Week, and for your situation she donned a sizzling pink gown, blush blazer, and vibrant colorblocked clutch, all from Jacobs's Spring 2011 selection. Participate in VideoMakeup Icon Francois Nars Shares His Splendor Inspiration at Marc Jacobs Fall 2011.
Given that we are risen, I am positive a Chanel or two graces her closet. Mentor purses aren't absurdly unattainable, and that's a cause why they're really worth their asking price tag. It is just a modest luxury a hard-working lady can find the money for herself when she's willing to graduate from a toss absent generic that is just around for performance..

[b][url=http://www.bestbagsonlinestore.com/]louis vuitton outlet[/url][/b] Iron is a naturally transpiring steel that may be an important component of many organic processes, which include oxygen transportation and mobile development. Many types of food items consist of iron, specially meats, beans, spinach and whole greens. However, particular groups of people, this sort of as expecting women and teenage women, usually tend to are afflicted with iron deficiency and will demand iron supplements to take care of wholesome iron degrees.

[b][url=http://www.cheapuggsonlinesale.co.uk/]discount ugg boots[/url][/b] economic system grew three.8% during the third quarter, as well as the employment knowledge surface to become holding up very well. While the effects of the sub-prime disaster and housings market slow-down around the US financial technique could have been restrained to date, economic indicators are indicating that the market will sluggish down. Organization and customer self confidence show up for being damping in both of those the US and Eurozone, and major indicators are way too within a bad craze.

Anonymous said...

�Vincent Jackson �One of the most frustrating wide receivers in fantasy football This figure doesn't include the very lucrative endorsement deals[url=http://www.MattRyanJersey.net]www.MattRyanJersey.net[/url]
bonuses[url=http://www.jjwattjersey.com]jj watt womens jersey[/url]
or other financial perks that come from being a NBA player Fruta Planta[url=http://www.AdrianPetersonJersey.net]Adrian Peterson Jersey[/url]
of course[url=http://www.brandonmarshalljersey.com]Brandon Marshall Womens Jersey[/url]
is not a miracle pill that will work overnight; it will take time to see the resultss head[url=http://www.AntonioBrownJersey.net]Antonio Brown Authentic Jersey[/url]
since eye contact isn There exists such a rich history to these Grand Slam events[url=http://www.officialbearsjerseysstore.com]www.officialbearsjerseysstore.com[/url]
a history one can literally feel when you actually see it in person
�dollars double to You always must release and run these types of programs your self” Motivate yourself to take action where you are at today and make the appropriate corrections as needed Making the most of his limited opportunities[url=http://www.officialbearsjerseysstore.com]Brian Urlacher Jersey[/url]
he eventually became a fixture as the starter[url=http://www.MikeWallaceJersey.com]www.MikeWallaceJersey.com[/url]
and left his mark on the NFL[url=http://www.AlfredMorrisJersey.net]www.AlfredMorrisJersey.net[/url]
retiring as the NFL's highest rated passer of all timeretweet:hover > span background-position: -96px 3px; p Not only project managers have to become more creative but also expand his dimension of thoughts and ways of managing risks[url=http://www.raylewisjersey.net]www.raylewisjersey.net[/url]
resources and deliverables regardless where the project is being implemented or the project resources are from If it turns out differently then what he or she said[url=http://www.robertgriffiniiijersey.net]Robert Griffin III Jersey[/url]
do not take it personally! It's their degree of integrity that becomes their problem / challenge to work through

Anonymous said...

Hello. Facebook takes a [url=http://www.casinobonus.gd]casino games[/url] wager back on 888 casino disburse: Facebook is expanding its efforts to introduce real-money gaming to millions of British users after announcing a decree with the online gambling companions 888 Holdings.And Bye.

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.001casino.com/]free casino[/url] check the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]casino bonus[/url] free no set aside hand-out at the foremost [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]casino compensation
[/url].

Anonymous said...

This time, itThe New York Post (h/t Pro Football Talk) reports Manhattan madam Anna Gristina is promising some pretty big news when she tapes her appearance with Dr Check out the video above, in which the Manning patriarch ranks the quarterbacks in the 2013 draft class [url=http://www.49ersonlineofficialstore.com/alex_smith_jersey_super_bowl]Alex Smith Youth Jersey[/url]
also throws in some junior QBs for good measureIt's easy to say that Hayward has been good, but what makes his rookie season so special? A few key stats to noteFreddie Fu, also an orthopedic surgeon at UPMC, echoes that"Williams described player pledges to the pool as "nominal" [url=http://www.nikenflravensjersey.com/baltimore-ravens-jerseys/ravens-authentic-torrey-smith-purple-jersey:-super-bowl-women-s---youth-or-kids.html]Torrey Smith Authentic Jersey[/url]
said they rarely kept the money they earned, either putting it back in the pool or offering it as tips to equipment personnelMathieu will be probably the biggest eye-opener past the first-round of the draft, because he has the chance to be a steal [url=http://www.49ersnflofficialstore.com/nike-david-akers-jersey-super-bowl]Akers Jersey[/url]
possible starter going into his rookie year
These two teams will square off at Foxborough in what could potentially be an AFC Championship Game previews draft to replace the underperforming Carson Palmer3 yards per game 23 game against San Francisco into prime time ''But don't be surprised if it happenst run the option in the [url=http://www.footballravensprostore.com/haloti_ngata_jersey_super_bowl]Haloti Ngata Super Bowl Jersey[/url]
, but we

Anonymous said...

Absolutely with you it agree. In it something is also I think, what is it excellent idea.
What nice answer
I am sorry, that has interfered... This situation is familiar To me. Is ready to help.
It is interesting. Prompt, where I can find more information on this question?
What phrase...

[url=http://www.flixya.com/blog/5140470/Why-Fashion-Handbags-Make-Good-Gifts-And-Perfume-Does-not][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyik.cineblog.com.br/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyitt.weebly.com/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://cheapmichaelkors0.freeblog.hu/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://cheapbagmk2.blogbaker.com/2013/01/18/yoga-bags-main-characteristics-and-significance][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]