Last week, we had a field trip to Hunt Club Farm, which is where our family traditionally goes each October to go on a hayride, pick a pumpkin, and all the usual stuff. However, money's tight, so when I saw one of the local homeschooling groups was offering a special outing priced at only six bucks per child (and free for parents), and we usually spend waaaay more than that to go there, I jumped on board. I was hoping Rob would be able to go, too, but alas, he got switched back to daytime shift one day before we were set to go and missed it. Rats!
That morning sucked for me, too. We were supposed to be at the farm by 11:15 AM. I had lost my debit card the week before that, and the replacement still has yet to arrive. So, I've been borrowing Rob's when I need it, and that morning, I needed it. I hastily (because they've been sleeping late, and I've been letting them) woke up the children and fed them, and when it was almost time to go, my phone rang. I got sucked into a lengthy conversation, despite my protests that I was on the way out the door, and so... yes, I admit it, I continued the phone call into the car and down the road.
No, I didn't get into an accident. Which is good, since I've already had TWO in the new van. I'm dropping it off in the morning to get fixed. But I digress...
Anyway, I had to stop at the bank for some cash, and Penelope (the van) also needed refueling. I was below "empty" and didn't think I could make it all the way out to the distant farm on the remaining fumes. All the while, I yakked and yakked on the phone.
When I stopped at the drive-thru ATM, I put in the card, punched in my PIN, and tried to get some cash. Only, I had forgotten it was Rob's card, so of course the PIN was wrong. I couldn't remember his PIN, and I was on the phone already, so I couldn't call him to get it. So I canceled the transaction and drove off... leaving his card behind.
I knew I shouldn't continue the conversation and drive anymore, so I pulled into a parking space at the bank until I finished. Which took forever and a day, because this was a notorious talker, and I should never have answered the phone. While I sat there, an elderly couple drove by and motioned to me to roll down the window. I did, and she shouted that I had left behind Rob's card in the ATM, and she had brought it inside the bank for me. Phew, thanks!
After the call finally ended, I ran inside to get Rob's card. "We can't give it to you," they said, "without some identification." Gah! Of course, stupid me. I ran back out to get my wallet, and back in to show them my ID. Only then, they old me, "We can't give it to you, because it's not your card." Seriously? I have 37 different things in my wallet showing my name, which is the same last name as my husband's and ALSO, I am a joint owner on that account. I mean, really, now they were being ridiculous, and I was running super late by that point, and why didn't they tell me that the first time, AND now I had no way to get the cash I needed OR get gas to get to the farm!
I stomped out, fuming. I'm good at that. Fuming.
So I called Rob, all pissed, swearing a blue streak (some people out there, who only know me casually, would be shocked at the potty mouth I have when I'm angry!), telling him I needed him to go get his #$%^&* card at the bank and then bring it to me at the farm, because I seriously needed some gas. Thankfully, he was able to get out and go do that for me, or I would have been up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
Fortunately, we made it to the farm without running out of gas, AND to a gas station afterward without getting stranded. Unfortunately, we were late to our field trip, and the hayride was first. Fortunately, we hauled arse to the hayride departure zone, and our group was just about to board. Unfortunately (have I told you about the "Fortunately/Unfortunately" car game? Remind me), the group leader, K., had left our tickets at the office, across the big parking lot from where we were. Fortunately, I've dropped 200 lbs and can now sprint with the best of 'em! Unfortunately, the kids did NOT stay put like I told them to, and raced after me in non-runnin-friendly shoes. Fortunately, we made it back to the hayride juuuuust in the nick of time, and they let us on-board. Whew. Day saved. And since hayrides are one of my absolute favoritest things about Fall, I forgot about all the earlier mess at the bank and resolved to enjoy our field trip.
On to the pictures (taken with the trusty iPhone, since I forgot the camera in my rush to get out the door):
Jack, who is badly in need of a haircut and reminds me of Captain Kangaroo, and Sophia on the hayride - hard to tell when someone blinks on the iPhone screen!
Chloë, altogether too excited about something she has probably seen dozens of times in the past
After the hayride, we were let into the petting zoo to visit the animals. Can you see inside the little green house? There were baby goats! And... a chicken, which thoroughly amused my brood.
We were all "awwww"ing when one of the kidlets wandered out for a suckle. So wee! I don't think I'd ever seen a goat this small before, so it was a joy.
A piggy, which Chloë kept cracking me up by calling a "warthog" - mayhaps we've seen The Lion King once too many?
Next there was a cage that housed all kinds of different birds, from turkeys to doves to an African Crowned Crane. Sophia loves birds, so it wasn't until Chloë shouted out, "Look, a pony!" that we were able to drag her away from them. Lately, Sophia is all about "ponies, unicorns, and horses," as she tells me.
The afore-mentioned pony, in which Jack had zero interest.
A zebu, which I kept calling a "cow," until I saw the sign. Which may not have been wrong, actually, since this is a type of cattle. I just don't know if it was a lady-zebu or a gentleman one, and I didn't get up close enough to, er, check...
The chicken habitat is always a favorite of kids, mine and all others'. They're allowed to pick up and hold any they can catch, and boy, do they try! I imagine the chickens are well and truly traumatized by the time Sophia gets through with them, although I do my best to keep her from chasing them!
My current favorite snap, and also my desktop picture. Love!
What's in here??
Why, it's Soapy, trying to hide from her mama!
"Mommy, look at me! I'm doing it!" (right before she fell off)
The $6 admission included a small pumpkin for each child, which was great because we wouldn't have had money for one otherwise. They all were SO careful in picking out the perfect pumpkin - although somehow Chloë's ended up being rather, um, interestingly shaped!
All-in-all, it was a fun outing, even if we didn't get the educational talk about farming that we were expecting. Stay tuned for more Halloween updates later this week!
Fin.
Thanks, Joan, I appreciate the compliments! I'll post another "real" post or two later tonight, after I get the bills done. :)
Posted by: Smellyann | 05 November 2010 at 22:59
Melanie this was a good post. I'd love some more of these instead of the memes. You're a good writer and I enjoy your posts but I love to read about your day by day adventures. Can you spare us a little more time here> Thank you.
Joan
Posted by: Joan Dunn | 05 November 2010 at 03:34
If I was a betting person I would guess that it was a male zebu. I have absolutely nothing to base that on, of course.
I loved the Fortunately/Unfortunately game; I'll have to remember to torture my kids with it sometime.
Posted by: Nicole Pierre | 04 November 2010 at 23:33
Yay! Great story!
Posted by: Sara | 02 November 2010 at 10:39
LOL You're welcome - I needed a kick in the butt to start blogging again. I've got more coming, hopefully tomorrow but maybe later tonight??
Mel :)
Posted by: Smellyann | 02 November 2010 at 03:04
thank you! i like the part about the pony..that was funny. you guys trip sounded soooo fun.
Posted by: Shannypoo3 | 02 November 2010 at 02:51