Thursday, June 20, 2013

Where Angels Fear to Tread...

Life is nothing without a little chaos to make it interesting.
~ Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Over the last couple of years, I have gained some first hand experience with the chaos that can ensue when I take a group of kids on a field trip.  It turns out that kids - and you may have already known this, but I had to learn the hard way - don't think like adults do.  

They have poor impulse control - they'll run off impetuously - they don't think logically - they aren't particularly concerned with the question of how I'm going to round everyone up at the end of the day and get them all home on time...  Go figure!  ;)

Now, this summer for our vacation we are going to spend a few days visiting some Mayan ruins in Mexico, and we are taking Ana and four of her nieces and nephews (between the ages of 12 and 16) with us.  And I am bound and determined to return ALL FOUR children to their parents at the end of the trip.  

What can I say?  I'm like that - always setting the bar high.    

Even more than that, I'm hoping to avoid terrified moments of trying to find a child - without actually super-gluing everyone together...  ;)

With this in mind, I have assembled a gift kit for each of the four children.  Here is the content of one such kit:  


The contents of each child's kit includes:

  1. a bright yellow shirt that can easily be seen from far away
  2. a whistle that can be used to attract attention if someone is lost or hurt
  3. a watch that includes an alarm, which can be set for 10 minutes before we are all supposed to meet at a pre-designated spot
  4. a camera
  5. a molded plastic camera case that will hopefully protect the camera from assorted bumps and drops down five levels (or more) of stairs on assorted temple pyramids

What have I forgotten?  

You know, besides the simple fact that no matter how much I plan and prepare, the minute our group steps out of the bus, all bets are off and fate will take over, with chaos riding on her wings...  ;)

10 comments:

  1. Sunscreen! The type that comes in a roll up stick is especially good for faces and ears. If they are wearing sandals, remember the tops of feet - an often forgotten and often burned spot.
    Hats might be a good idea also, especially if they are fair skinned. Sunscreen should be applied to the 'part' in hair on the scalp. Stick sunscreen is good for that too.
    Good luck!

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    1. Hi Andrea - thanks for the good advice! Sunscreen is going to be a MUST! :)

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  2. Water bottles. Sunglasses. You are an angel. Definitely.

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    1. Hi Gwen - Wow! More good advice! Thank you! I don't know about angel - I think I'm more on the "fools rushing in" side of things! ;)

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    2. PS - water bottles ordered and received!

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  3. TUS IDEAS SON EXCELENTES NO TE PREOCUPES POR MAS COSAS, AAH Y NO VE A VER CAOS MIS SOBRINOS SON UNOS ANGELES, OOPS!!!

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    1. Gracias, mi hija! ;)
      Todos en tu familia son angeles! :)

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  4. Hi Gwen- What about matching ( or alike in some way ) brightly colored hats to help spot them from afar. Your Spanish version of " have you seen a child in a yellow shirt and a rainbow striped hat " will be well practiced by the end of the trip. I concur with the water bottle idea.

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    1. Thanks, Ruth! A hat is not a bad idea, especially under the bright Mexican sun... And I've already picked up some water bottles - so I'm all set there.

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