Field Trip to the Nature Center

Today was another great day. I volunteered to accompany GirlKid's kindergarten class to the Nature Center. As it turned out I was the only parent that was able to make the trip, which made me a bit uneasy at first. Nineteen kids, three adults, and 28 miles of trails......

Of course, everything went well. The Nature Center guides were excellent, and even brought out their 26 year old red-tailed hawk to show the children. It had been raised with the Nature Center since it was a fledgeling, and was the longest standing employee of the Center. She was a beauty, and had no fear of all of us standing before her with our mouths agape. Most of the kids hadn't even seen a parakeet up close, let alone an adult raptor. It was inspiring. I wish I could fly for a day, and see what she is able to see. I think I would look at the world much differently.

Then we explored the 'hands on' portion of the Center. Inside their building, they had pelts of many various animals, and we were encouraged to touch them all. GirlKid was able to feel what a bear, wolf, coyote, fox, mink, and buffalo(bison, to be correct) fur felt like. They also had stuffed owls, beaver, rabbit, and deer that we were welcome to touch. We spend so much time asking our children not to touch things, that they were unsure at first if they heard us right. After they saw that no one was going to get into trouble for handling all this stuff, they explored every feather, antler, hair and toenail in the place. They had the most interesting questions that I hadn't thought anyone could think! "Is an antler a bone? And if it is, why does it fall off and grow back...why doesn't it just stay on?" Hmmm...where IS that Nature Center guy?

After all the touchy feely portion of our visit was done, we were escorted by another guide out on the trails, where we were able to learn about some of the native plants that grow in our area, and why they are important to our earth. Then he scooped some tadpoles out of the pond, and showed us the pond food chain. Poor tadpoles.......Even the dragonfly larvae like them for a snack!

On our way out of the trails, the main guide had us play a game of "FLOOD". He explained that without the trees, we could get swept away in our imaginary flood. So when he shouted "FLOOD", we all had to run to a tree so we wouldn't get 'swept away'. It was so much fun watching all these kids scrambling to find a tree to hang onto. Before we left, though, the main guide confessed that the trees tought him that game, because they grow better after they've been hugged. The children actually looked at the trees differently after that. I hope they see the life force within the many living things, including the trees, and treat them with respect.

The bus ride home felt different than the ride there. The children had so much to think about, and so many 'after the fact' questions. We all shared our favorite part of the trip. Most liked the hawk, others liked the "hands on" place. My favorite part was seeing the children learn and having some of them changed a little from the experience.

Thank God for teachers that reach for tools to show our children different ways to solve problems, and provide opportunities to learn in and outside of the box. Some teachers really DO see the future in our childrens' faces. I felt lucky to be with them today.

So, take it from me, if you ever get the opportunity to go with your child on an educational field trip...GO! Whatever it takes, get the day off, call in sick, get a sitter for the younger one...whatever. Just go and see the children grow right in front of your eyes. You won't get a second chance....Kindergarten really is a garden for children....and they're growin' like weeds!

Quote from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet"...On Children

Whenever I find myself in a difficult position throughout life, I like to sit down with this book to find some inspiration. Writer Mom's post inspired me to pick it up again to put my 'mother ego' in check. I hope others experience similar peace after reading this:

"And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children.

And he said:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.



You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.



You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."



It was hard for me to internalize some of this, as I once thought myself an archer. However, the more I look around this world, we really are the stable bow, the foundation of the archer's aim. None of us can know who our children will be when they become adults, we can only imagine and dream, and provide them with the best environment that will enable them to make the best choices to help themselves thrive. As experienced parents with grown children must know, we parents of young children need to know we are not, nor should be, the sole influence that shapes our children's lives. When they are little, we have absolute knowledge of whom they are exposed to, but as they age, the many tiny strands of parental influence are snipped ever so slowly. Hopefully those first few years provide the security and education for a strong moral foundation that holds our children up to eventually provide their lives and children with strength and integrity. Bless the parents that know their 'job' is incredibly important to the structure of our future. Someone has to hold a few of the living arrows carefully, so they may go swift and far. Bless you Angie and Tom, and all their insightful blogger friends for caring so much. You make a difference.

Home...At Last

All possesions gathered
making this house our home,
It's become quite obvious
I'm no longer a rolling stone.

When my day is done
and the evening begins to pass,
Is the time for longing
to be home...at last.

Coming to cherish
the quiet of the night,
With only my lover
and the stars above in sight.

Relishing the fleeting moments
just before sleep,
Bring joys of solitude
as unconciousness creeps.

6-21-90

Years ago I wrote this when I realized that all the partying and running weren't providing me with the peace that I was to crave in the future. I needed roots. I am so glad I grew some!

Mother's Day Weekend

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. I sure did. My hubby and GirlKid certainly went out of their way this year! Mother's Day turned into Mother's Weekend! After their shopping expedition, my shower of love and appreciation began shortly afterword.

Upon arrival, my GirlKid came to the door bearing the prettiest Gerbera Daisy plant and Fairy Castle cactus WalMart had to offer. She was beaming with pride as she explained how she came to her choices. Dad was in the background with a bit of a beam himself.

Next I was allowed a long warm tub with only one interruption, when I was a hand delivered an invitation to 'formal' dinner, or supper of my choice....dress required, which was hand made by my Husband and GirlKid. After my tub, I rummaged around in my closet to find a suitable dress for my dinner. GirlKid was estatic that I took their invitation seriously, and I'd actually dressed up for the occasion. She too, put on her finest, as well as Hubby.

We ordered three big platters, and shared them all. How enjoyable to share food among family. On our way out of the resturaunt, my husband even splurged on a delicious strawberry pie to take home! Full bellies, pie in hand we made our way to the car.

On our way home, Husband said he needed to stop at our neighbors house to get a tractor paint chip sample for one of his projects. When we pulled in, he stopped next to several giant lilac bushes, and went to the house to borrow a scissors. Ten minutes later, I had a 'huge-mongeous' bouquet of lilacs in my hands. Awww.... It was enough to have flowers in every room of our main floor.

I'll skip the details of the next several hours.... let's just say my husband wasn't quite done with me yet. Earthshaking.

On Mother's Day morning, I woke to the smell of coffee, and came downstairs for a cup. It was then that I received additional love in the form of a giant bag of self feeding potting soil, a bag of chocolate stars, some 'dress up' necklaces that GirlKid just knew I would love. Also included in their shopping purchases was some Black Flag flying insect spray to protect me from the wasps that are interested in our garden shed and my hair.

These acts of kindness were of the sort that let me know how well my family knows me, and yes, they did give me all I need to be filled with joy. It truly is the little things that give us acknowledgement. And plus, they DID have to scour the store for these several things that jumped out and said "PICK ME, she'll Love it!" If there was any shopping sufferage that happened, they never let on. Now I feel really guilty about my previous post....sort of.

What Do You Want?

Hubby and GirlKid are running errands today. Before they leave, Hubby asks "What do you want for Mother's Day?" Hmmmm....Hm....I didn't know how to answer.

First of all, I had to overcome my urge to eat the "Burnt Toast", as a certain Desperate Housewife puts it. Where is the greedy part of myself who can whip out the "I WANT" list on demand? I couldn't find it anywere! The words "Something useful" darn near slipped from my lips. Six years as a mother, and fifteen years as a wife has consumed a large portion of my personality! Yikes! I don't know what I want anymore!

Secondly, I had to overcome my urge to say "It's Mother's Day, I want YOU to LOOK around, struggle over choices, and find that one thing that jumps out and says "Pick Me, She'll LOVE it!", just as I have to do for every Birthday, Christmas, Wedding, etc. No one ever tells me exactly what to pick out for their gifts, therefore, I want Hubby and GirlKid to experience the same agony I go through every time I enter any kind of store. Clothing store: does it fit?, will they like it? is it on sale?, can we afford it? Grocery store: is it the best deal?, does it fit into my haphazard meal plan?, will they eat it?, is it healthy? You know what I mean, I don't really need to go on any further. Yes, I want them to suffer the same pain. Horrible, isn't it?

I ended up saying "Something pretty, or maybe something nice for my garden." Pretty vague, however. I wonder what it will be. This is the best gift...knowing that they are out there in the multitude of choices, agonizing over this or that, having differences of opinions, and together coming to a compromise....over me! Now, why didn't I say chocolate? Why? Momma LOVES chocolate!

Welcome to my World

Yippee! I now have my own place to share my perspective, interests, family, and photos with anyone who cares to see. This is a test post to see how things look.