I volunteered to go, telling Cameron to tell his teacher that if there were a lot of other parents wanting to go, then I would be happy to step aside (as I've been able to go on a few of the band trips.) I figured I was pretty safe, as last year, they had enough other parents, that I didn't need to go.
I got an email from the teacher the night before saying that yes, he needed me to go because he had no other parents volunteer. Wow! Really?
So, we were up early on Friday, and after a quick trip through the drive-thru at Tim's, arrived at school by 7:30. Cameron and I had already had several conversations about he not wanting me to tag along with him and his friends, and me, threatening to follow him around all day with my camera.
We arrived, they played. (they sounded really good!)
As soon as they finished, changed, put their instruments back on the bus, and got some last minute instructions from the teacher, they all took off running ... Cameron at the front of the pack! Sheesh! He ditched me!
After chatting with Mr. M. for a while, he went off to listen to some of the other schools play and I went off to see if I couldn hunt the boy down. (I really wouldn't have cared, except he had no money for lunch ... ok, and I just wanted to get a couple of pictures.)
I knew it was a safe bet to check around the closest roller coaster.
Ha! I was right! (doesn't he look so happy that I found them and made them pose for a picture? LOL! ...actually, his friend was the one who asked me to take a picture of them on his camera so I grabbed the opportunity)
After giving over some money, I spent the rest of the day walking around, taking some pictures of nothing, really. I ran into the boys a few times. They said they would eat lunch with me, but I knew that Cameron would really rather not.
At one point, I was walking past a garbage can, and look what I saw! Out in the broad daylight! With lots of people around. He was having a really good lunch!
At the end of the day I managed to get Cameron to pose for a couple of pictures.
He had such a good day. I was bored to tears, and spent a lot of time texting John and Milena and whining to them about how bored I was.
...still, I'm glad I went ... and I know that Cameron was too, even if he wanted no part of me while we were there.
Please tell me exactly why they needed someone there if all the kids just scattered around the park? LOL Love the face on the pictures... And no rides for you?
ReplyDeleteLast time we went to the water park, I brought a book with me for this reason. And just because I had something to keep me occupied while they were supposed to be in the slides, the girls kept coming back and intruding on my solitude! LOL
Welcome to the club....at Oakton teenage boys ignore as much as possible their mothers and fathers who are along on the trip. The girls are a different matter.
ReplyDeleteI love the racoon shots. Excellent catch.
what a beautiful photo of cameron! and LOVE LOVE LOVE the raccoon - how cute!
ReplyDeleteHi, Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThat was so good of you to help chaperone the trip. The picture of the raccoon is so funny! Thanks for sharing.
One of my son's had the same attitude when he was Cameron's age, so I know where he's coming from. It did hurt my feelings at the time, and I was glad when my son apologized (years later!).
Great post. I enjoyed it very much as both Gayle and I can both relate!
ReplyDeleteActually, I have become the "cool dad" on the school band retreats. To both elizabeth and Emily, I'm an embarrassment. When I go to their schools the kids all go out of their way to sa hi to me - Elizabeth and emily go out of their way to avoid me.
I love the raccoon shots!
Nice to have bumped into you while you were taking the racoon shots at Wonderland. Benjamin told me that there was a racoon in the garbage can, but somehow I 'heard' chipmunk, I didn't think that a racoon would be so bold!
ReplyDelete