The Gang’s All Here

Last week Will’s 2nd grade class went on a field trip to a one room schoolhouse. Their goal was to learn about life 100 years ago.

We received some instructions regarding the trip. We needed to pack a lunch ala 100 years ago, such as in a handkerchief, pail, or basket. Uh, I don’t necessarily have those things handy, nor do I trust Will to bring back the couple baskets I have, so he got a sandwich wrapped in wax paper (Wow! I’m awesome! They didn’t have plastic bags back then so I was on the right track!), an apple (which grew back then), and some brownies (sure, why not?). I sent a juice box so he wouldn’t die of thirst. I know they didn’t have juice boxes back then, but I was not filling up a mason jar with apple juice. So there.

Will was also supposed to dress up like the kids did 100 years ago. Except we don’t necessarily have a lot of knickers around our house. Thankfully, jeans and a plain button down shirt sufficed.

I did have a bandana, which I encouraged him to wear cowboy style around his neck. But no. He refused. He meticulously arranged the bandana around his forehead.

“You look like you are in a gang,” I said. “You can’t go like that.”

“Why? What’s a gang?”

(Oh, geez)

“A gang is a group of boys doing bad things and getting into trouble.”

“I like it like this,” he said.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Fine. You can wear it to school like that, but don’t be surprised if your teacher makes you take it off!”

So, my little gang member left the house with his colors displayed across his forehead. And, turns out his teacher let him wear it like that, too. I guess maybe they had “farm gangs” back then after all!