In at The Deep End.

I'm not really sure why I volunteered to help with the school trip to The Deep in Hull but I did.  I do remember before volunteering thinking "you don't need to do this, your son will not thank you, walk away now".  But the words came out before I knew it and then I found myself getting all worked up because I really wasn't sure what I was letting myself in for and why I was doing it.  It's not that I don't like kids - I just couldn't eat a whole one.


So what do you wear on a day like this with 50 or so 6-7 year olds?  You pick a pair of not too holey jeans - so not the ripped at the knee ones because I'm sure it's not the done thing to look scruffier than the kids and a stripy top and Converse or the equivalent.  Just like two of the other volunteer mothers who were also wearing the same but in different colourways -this must be the school trip uniform of choice for mothers all over North Yorkshire.  I did take my Gap trench with me but left it on the coach as I figured I would be warm enough running after small children.  Oh and an old hands free messenger bag which came in handy for fitting in unfinished lunch bits which they wanted to take home with them, and which they promptly forgot about once they were safely ensconsed in my bag.  I'm glad I am writing this post as this has reminded me to remove the half eaten slice of cake and slightly squished satsuma from my bag before they take on some kind of weird mutated form.

Jack Wills Striped Spurrell Breton Top 2011

New Look Straight Leg Jeans

Grey Linen Mix B+AB Messenger Bag

Taupe Converse

I do like their labels!

I like the little touches which make garments interesting.

I can recommend the Jack Wills Breton tops if you're looking for a new place to buy yet another stripy top.  The cotton is of a nice thick quality and they usually have nice contrast binding trim on their collars and hems.  Mine has washed and kept its shape really well.

It has seen better days but I don't mind sticky mitts on this.

My old B+AB linen mix messenger bag is a trusted friend which I picked up in one of the Hong Kong malls on one of my family visits.  It is very light and not too big (remember the palaver with the Plumo shadow bag?) and it washes well - it has had a big streak of bright green poster paint across it before when I wasn't paying attention and I brushed past the painting table at nursery.  

Anyway, I was entrusted 4 boys in my care and the bonus was I didn't manage to lose any (pat on back to myself) though I wouldn't have minded losing one small awkward one who was hungry when we arrived at The Deep and had a mawk on until he was fed.  I managed to avoid the debate over which two fingers facing which way round was "swearing and rude".  I was only hit by one small sweet on the coach.  And I admire the sheer ignorance of the dad who turned up on the coach with a newspaper expecting to read it.  What planet do dads come from?  Actually, I mustn't be mean - at least he was a dad volunteering.  Most dads run screaming from the very thought of helping with small children (a bit like me when I have my normal head screwed on).


Also, I have learnt from today's experience that if I ever volunteer to do something like this again - I will wear ear plugs and bring a carefully concealed taser gun to deal with any small person who dares to get a mawk on with me.  Besides what am I thinking ... volunteering again?  Must be like childbirth - time is a good healer I hear.

Gift Bag Goodies

Last note.  One of the entrusted children, a lovely boy called James was so well behaved, I sent his mother a text to say as much.  She was absolutely delighted to hear this as I would be if it happened to me (chance would be a fine thing).  Quite often we hear when someone or something is bad but how often do we compliment and actually acknowledge the good to someone?  It's nice to make someone's day :o)