This blog is more around the day she turned 13. It was in 7th grade in the year 1999.
At ECS.....the 7th graders took a trip by train to Chicago in January. Erica's birthday is in January. So, she actually turned 13 on the train ride home from the Chicago.
That trip was a great trip for Erica and me. I had the privilege of going with Keith when he was in 7th grade so I was experienced and knew what to expect. I was excited about my 2nd train ride. This was going to be Erica's 1st train ride. We traveled by night so that we were in Chicago by the morning and ready to do all of the sight seeing. If you have never traveled by train , you should do it at least once before you die. The train makes tons of stops on the way to Chicago so I never did get a good night's rest. I woke with every stop. Also...you have to remember to bring a blanket because they lower the heat while traveling.
Erica had a good group of friends so she enjoyed the trip from start to finish. The sights included some museums, aquarium, and the Billy Graham Center Museum at Wheaton College. All were very interesting and the kids were excited until they found out that they had to answer questions at the Science and Industry Museum! Why would a school field trip ruin it by making the students learn something? (tongue in cheek)
Like I mentioned earlier, I had done this trip before so I had tips for how to answer the questions easily and quickly. I told Erica and her friends to split up and divide the questions between each little group. Then...I told them to meet back at the McDonald's cafe in the museum for a snack break. They were happy to do that and when we met back at McDonald's, everyone shared the answers so that they all had answered the entire questionnaire. Then....we were free to just look and observe without pressure. I tell you what: I was the FAVORITE chaperon for that trip.
Erica loved the beating heart display that you could walk through.
The hotel had a pool and a hot tub so the kids really enjoyed swimming in the winter. Each night was a planned group activity for the students and another one for the parents. So....Erica totally had a great time with her friends.
The last activity we did before going home was seeing a film in the IMAX theatre. It was very realistic and made you feel like you were in the middle of the film. Erica and a few others got a little motion sickness during the viewing. I went to the hotel gift shop and bought some Dramamine. Couldn't find the non drowsy version though.
Erica didn't want to take it until we were on the train. Some of her friends took it right after the film so they were battling sleep!
I had planned a little surprise party to happen on the train right at 8:59 am.....which was when she was born. Poor thing....she was still drowsy while she opened her gifts. Her friends were in on it with me and they went in together and gave her a little gift. I even had a cupcake for her. I wanted her to feel like it was her birthday even though she was on a school trip.
We did celebrate her 13th birthday later as a family and with her friends.
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