Lower Huron Metropark with the Oldies and Goodies

Tom and I were not too excited about getting up early today, but we volunteered to help Renee at American House take a group of the residence, including mom, to the Lower Huron Metropark for a picnic and games. We knew we would have to get to American House at nine-thirty just to get Mom up, dressed and get her to eat her breakfast. When we got to the entrance of American House and saw Mom sitting with some of her friends, I was in complete shock. It was funny Tom and I appeared in shock seeing Mom dressed and up, and Mom was in shock in seeing us there so early in the morning.

I explained to Mom how we were going to have a fun day at the park, ( I reminded her of Camp Dearborn days) and the first thing she needed to do is eat breakfast. She complain throughout breakfast that she was not feeling well. I started getting concerned but then after her coffee and toast she seemed a little better.

Tom and Renee packed our car, and then I helped Renee get all the Oldies and Goodies  in the American House Bus. Mom wanted to ride with us, but I told her we had too much to take for the picnic that she had to ride the bus this time. She seemed a little nervous but she still got on the bus, but before she climbed in she told me that she did not want to sit with anyone. I told her to sit at the end of the bus which she did. When I saw her sitting at the end of the bus I thought of all my lessons that I taught about Rosa Parks.

This is Sherry and Dot sitting on the bus. Dot always kept telling me and anyone that would listen to her that her ASS was sore. Dot is ninety - one and Sherry is fifty-nine. 

 This is Jasper and his wife Mary and behind them is Franco and Bruno.

 There's Mom, sitting in the back of the bus.Yes... she does have her sweater with her, because I did not want her to complain that she was cold .

Here is Annie.. she likes everyone to be quiet...and not loud. Takes everything so seriously.

After about a half hour ride straight down Haggerty Rd. we arrived at the Park...

While we were helping everyone off the bus, Mom wanted to hold my hand. I sensed her being uncertain, but then she saw other American House Buses pulling up and she started helping those people who needed help. We got to the table that we were assigned to sit, and started passing out the fried chicken , salad, cookies and drinks to our group. Our group had the best lunch compared to the other American Houses. Renee did a great job especially when this was her first picnic outing. Boy, was Mom hungry, and she does love her fried chicken. Mom asked for seconds, and then she was trying to figure out how she could steal the balloons that were on the table by her. Everyone laughed and told her that she was a teacher, and teachers are not suppose to steal.

Mom is eyeing the balloons.

Everyone is eating and having fun chatting away, even though most of them could not hear each other.

Renee is dishing salad for Sherry.

 Dot does not like to eat chicken, fish, and would rather have a peanut butter sandwich.

 Sophie and Mom nibbling on chicken and having fun with lots of chatting.

 Franco enjoying the picnic and so are the rest of the gang.

 Here's all the American House's finally sitting down to eat. Renee is walking on the left of the photo.

Mary, Annie, Dot, and Sherry enjoying their lunch.

After lunch,  I took Dot and Mom over to the swings. They loved the swings, but did not want me to push them. They were so happy being on the swings, I guess it brought them back to their childhood memories of swinging on the swing so high they would try and touch the sky. Games were beginning, some people wanted to play the games and some just watched. Mom, Dot, Jasper, and his wife Mary went to play the bean toss. They all had so much fun, and we did have one of our group members that did toss the bean bag in the  hole...our Dot Girl. The other Dot Girl did not come and in someways I was glad she did not, because Mom got to know the other Dot. At American House Mom would not like the Dot Girls because they would stay away from everyone, but today Mom and her got a long so well. I hope Mom remembers how much fun Dot Girl was to her.

Next Renee , and I got the group ready to play Bingo while Tom took a couple of the men to the bathroom. Of course, Dot and Mom did not want to play Bingo, but I told them that I would help them both. They then got excited and played. To tell you the truth , they could not hear the numbers being called and kept forgetting how to play.The great part of them playing Bingo today, they both won. I laughed so loud, because these two complained about playing and they both won. I think they both were in shock they won too. They each got a picture frame that I told them that Tom would put Tank's photo in each frame they got. Dot and Mom got very excited because at American House Tank is a Movie Star there.

 The two swingers swinging on a summer day.These two felt like little girls swinging for the first time.

Dot trying to play Croquet. I think she was having more fun posing for her photo then playing the game. She started dancing and then complained again her ASS was hurting her.

A line for playing the bean toss. They all wanted to play and the funny part was Dot had no idea what to do and she ended up tossing the bean bag in the whole.

 Mary is so sweet, she is waiting to play Bingo.

 Mom and Dot did not want to play Bingo, and they ended up being winners.

Annie is a very serious Bingo player. She wants everyone to follow the rules and be good listeners. Dot explained she wants to be a bad girl.

 Annie won a prize and wanted me to take her photo.

 Mom won this crazy hat.... and a  frame.

 Dot won a bottle of lotion, and she was very excited.

 Mom modeling her goofy hat.

 Jasper showing me what he won.  I think it is one of those lights you stick in your closet?

Bruno is very quiet, and it took him some time to open his prize.

Jasper  had some quiet times with Tom, and he asked Tom why my mom never married after my father passed away. Tom explained that she did not want too. Jasper then told Tom that Mom always tells him that she loves him. He also expressed to Tom on how happy he is with his wife. Tom told Jasper that Mom loves everyone, and not to worry she is not going to take him away from his lovely wife. Jasper smiled and walked away. 

It was time to go back home, and to tell you the truth they all were ready to hop on the bus. Even Mom was ready and this time she sat not by herself but with Sophia. She kissed me goodbye, and the bus door closed and the motor started and off they went. I really feel Renee will be having a very quiet bus ride home because all of them will be snoring away.

Here they are pulling up and I really feel we have everyone snoring away. It was such a nice trip, and Renee did such a great job. She made several Oldies but Goodies so happy and it was fun for them just to get out on such a beautiful summer day.  Thanks Renee for being such a nice Social Director, you even put many smiles on my mom today, and she did not even want to go.

I would have to say, going on this field trip was much easier then going with my kids when I taught. The Oldies and Goodies did not hear anything to get them mad, they ate what was given to each one of them, they did not move from their spots, they walked slowly, they only went to bathroom once, they did not complain about any cheating when they were playing the games, no one got hurt, should I go on, because I could.......