More awesomer

Yesterday I chaperoned a field trip to Yellowstone with Amanda and all the fifth graders in her school.  I went into this thinking that fifth graders were more mature, easier to chaperone than say...kindergardeners.

What a stupid assumption.

Helping with kindergardeners is like herding kittens.  They're all cute but constantly on the move in that kind of "Ooh look something shiny!" kind of a way, and off they wander.  Leashes would have been a huge help with the kindergardeners.

Fifth graders aren't so cute.  They're more evil than cute.  Not all of them mind you, but enough to make me think less of leashes and more of stun guns.  I was a bouncer more than I was a chaperone.

There was a small group of boys who were such disrespectful pains in the ass, I was embarrassed for them.  Once I saw the last name of the biggest little jerk, I rolled my eyes and thought...Why am I not surprised?  Spoiled little rich kid.

One woman told him Stay away from the ledge sweetie, we don't want you falling and getting hurt..."  He looked at her with his little shit smirk and mocked her for calling him a sweetie.

I tried to be nice at first, but it didn't take long for me to drop the sweetie and just holler at him.  GET BACK ON THE TRAIL LIKE YOU'VE BEEN ASKED A HUNDRED TIMES.  Fucking little shit.

By fifth grade I expect kids to be respectful.  I expect them to follow simple rules.  I expect them to have decency.  For the parents of the little shits, I just want to slap some sense into them because clearly they have failed in that little thing called discipline. 

You know, one of the most important parts of parenting.

In spite of the hoodlums, it was a great field trip.  We did a lot of hiking, and by a lot I mean A. LOT.  I was impressed with myself in that I actually complained less than most of the kids on the hike.  Some of them need to get out and exercise once in a while.  Sheesh.

The time spent with Amanda was awesome.  Maybe if I didn't have such a good example of a fifth grader under my own roof I would have lower expectations for the others.  And yes, I'm bragging and saying my kid is more awesomer than the rest. 

It's because she is, and it shouldn't go unnoticed.

 

I photoshopped the blur into this picture to make the other kids unrecognizable, and in doing so I inadvertently created an image that embodies Amanda's entire being.

Amid the blur of life, the hustle and bustle of those around her, she is content in her existence.  She is quiet, contemplative, unwilling to let others rattle her.  She is a rock, stronger than most adults I know.  She is polite and compassionate.  She is fierce in her beliefs.

She is more awesomer than I could have ever expected in a daughter and she makes me proud beyond words.

Yes I know more awesomer isn't proper...let it go.

Being a parent is just too cool, even if it means I have to deal with other people's contemptuous offspring.   If nothing else, it reinforces those times when I'm feeling good about the job I'm doing.