Friday, May 30, 2008

Escape out of Routine into a Grand Adventure

It's a beautiful morning here in my little corner of the world. Yesterday was just gorgeous, too. I only had 4 of the children yesterday, so we went on an "adventure". We jumped on the bus that stops almost in front of my house and went to Burger King for the morning. It's amazing, but in our day and age most pre-school children have never had the fun of riding a bus. So it really is an adventure for them.

When I was growing up we were a one car family. My father would take the car to work so that left it up to the city transport system to get my mom, my sister and myself where we wanted to go whenever we left home. We knew the routes well, even as small children. I remember begging my mother when I was in grade 2 to let me ride the bus with my friend, no adults, downtown so we could go shopping at one of the stores. My mother was horrified and it took plenty of convincing but she finally let us. I can hear the gasps now. But you must remember, this was back in the day when the city was much, much smaller and a safe city. And it wasn't the same world as it is today. People didn't even lock their doors when only leaving for a few hours. So she finally aquiesced (good word, eh?). We were on cloud 9. And had a wonderful time with the bus dropping us off right on schedule. Much to her great relief.

When my daughter hit grade 2, I remembered this "gift" from my mom, and I could not imagine letting my child on the city bus by herself to go downtown. She seemed so small, and the city now so big and scary. And it definitely was not the same world. I now understand the pressure we put upon my mom.

Anyway, back to yesterday. In the multi-vehicle per family reality of what we live in today, the kids do not get to ride buses at least until they hit school age, so it's always a fun thing for me to do with them when the opportunity presents itself. And they didn't let me down. They sat in the very back, all in a row, pretending they were driving the bus, complete with the car sounds only little boys can make well, chattering up a storm about all sorts of things they were noticing. And the fascination that came with the knowledge that pulling that yellow cord would make the bus stop, was just too enchanting. And we won't even mention the smiles when the front step of the bus raises and lowers to accomodate their small steps. Lots of thank you's went the bus driver's way.

After a few hours of fun and frolic in the play area of Burger King, and a kid's meal lunch complete with an Indiana Jones toy to bring home, we were back on the bus to come home for a much needed quiet time. For both them and me.

And let's just say I was a very popular person in their little world's yesterday. A fairly small effort for me to make such a grand adventure for them. Yay, for city buses.

15 comments:

Donnetta said...

A grand adventure indeed!

What a wonderful thing for you to do to change up their day a bit and give them such a fun and memorable experience!!

Those children and families are so very lucky and blessed to have you!!!

ellen b. said...

Sounds so wonderful. We need to view the world through these same eyes of wonder and adventure I think...
Blessings...

Anonymous said...

I don't think we ever tried that! That would have been fun, especially as my boys' favorite song was "The Wheels of the Bus Go Round and Round" and their favorite book was "Gus the Bus."

Linda said...

I can just picture them all sitting in a row in the bus. What a fun outing! Good job Susanne! It's amazing how just a simple idea can translate into such a great adventure.

Michelle said...

That sounds wonderful ,what a great idea.I imagine the children went home full of chatter about their great adventure..

Cyndi said...

Okay, you are just the most fun!!

Laura said...

Oh how right you are. We are two car family and I don't think my little guy has ever been on a bus. I've put that on my list for summer fun!!

You're awesome!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

That is so sweet. Those parents are so lucky. I hope they realize it.

Beck said...

Susanne, I just LOVE the way you write about the kids in your dayhome - how lucky are they to have YOU?

Kim said...

What a fun time!!!

Barb said...

You know, neither of my girls has ever been on a city bus, not once, and they're grown young women now.

How fun for your little kiddies and how sad that the world is so different from when you and I were little bus-riding children.

And yes, "aquiesced" is an excellent word. High five!

Tammy said...

It does sound like a fun outing, Susanne!
And I'm tellin' ya'...we have the same weather pattern! When you mention your rain and more rain, that is what we have...and today it was just gorgeous! :)

Yes, when I think of how I rode my bike with friends all over our suburban neighborhood when I was eight or nine...and how so protective I am with my own third grader! But as you say, it is a different world!

Anonymous said...

My kids love to ride buses and trains too.

Faith said...

What great fun!
Neither of my daughters has been on a city bus although my oldest took a trolley with us when we visited San Francisco in 1997...she was 4 and still remembers it.
Times surely have changed....
The children in your care are truly blessed to have you as their caregiver!
Enjoy your weekend

gail@more than a song said...

What a fun thing to do! Sometimes just the small things please kids so much. It's such a good thing to give kids those experiences they might not get otherwise...and the play places are so much fun too!