The perks of unemployment

Today I accompanied one of my children on my first class trip. I've known the boys for 10 years and in that time I have never had the opportunity to attend one of their school outings. Ms 7 is finishing 2nd grade, I've never been on a school outing with her. So today I went to the Toronto Zoo.

My first and foremost comment is... thank god I have lost 102lbs because without having done so it would have been the trip from hell. Did you know that school buses aren't air conditioned? It was a sultry 28 degrees Celsius... with a humidex much more in line with our summer days. It was hot. The zoo is in a valley. Valleys have hills. Lots of them. Not only did I survive - I did so without breaking out a huge sweat and...drum roll... without losing my breath. This is a huge accomplishment in it's own right. It was valuable today because I needed that breath to keep saying "come on girls, catch up"

I had a great group assigned to me - 3 other girls, all quiet and well behaved, and Ms 7. My only gripe is that a couple of them walked so, so slowly. When you're my height you have a fairly long natural gait but I had to slow it right down for the group. That was probably the most tiring part of the day.

All in all, a great experience and while I would prefer to be working I am very thankful for the opportunity to have spent the day with my pumpkin girl and some of her friends.















Ms 7 (in the white shorts) with her friends... ready to take on the world!