Some moms go on all the field trips

Eli had a field trip last week. In anticipation of this field trip, he brought it up no less than 400 times to me. Normally, he doesn't care if I am there or not, but this time he expected me to be present. And normally, I would be there in a heartbeat because I love field trips. I've gone on plenty during my mom tenure. This one was to the zoo. Bring it on. But this time, it was to fall on the morning after of the third night in a row that I had worked overnight.

Ouchie.

So I explained it to him rationally, (like you do to toddlers....)

"Mommy has to work, Eli. I'm going to be very tired. I'm sorry. I don't think I can come to your field trip this time."

Eli: "Some moms don't work."

Me: "Yyyyyeah. I know."

Eli: "You'll be at the zoo with me, right Mom?"

Me: "Ummmm, well, I have work, buddy. I'm sorry."

Eli: "Some moms go on all the field trips."

Whammie.


Me: "See you then."


Ok. So, I can't say no. Whatever that makes me. Whatever. I'm too tired to process that. Doesn't matter. He wasn't being mean or manipulative. He was just observing. Some moms do go on all the field trips. Great. So, I will go on this one. Because for some reason, this time, he wants me to go. So, I was hoping that since I was going to tape my eyeballs open to go on this one, he would really want me there. Since I'd be sleep deprived beyond recognition and since I had to be fingerprinted to go as a chaperone and all of that, that maybe he wouldn't run off and forget that I came?

TOTAL WIN.

He jumped off the bus into my arms.

He held my hand. 

We saw all the animals.

See the wallaby? He was actually quite nervous for this photo...

We ran around and did kid things. We bought a snack, laughed at some very funny orangutans, and ran through some dino bones.

See how he's too tall for the kangaroo pouch??

We loved every second despite the rain until about 11:00 when it was time for lunch and I could stay awake no longer. I bowed out gracefully, I think, and Eli went on to have a lovely lunch with his friends and I went home to sleep. I'd like to mention that I love Eli's daycare/preschool so much. They always go above and beyond to give the kids the best experiences and the teachers clearly love the kids. I can't say enough about them. They are near and dear to me. Shout out to you- Beautiful Beginnings. How we will miss you when we embark upon the Big K this year.

I can't go on all the field trips, but I am super glad that I could do this one. I love love love him. I am so glad I am his mom.