So amongst the many things I've learned in Alaska one of them is that you simply can't shoo a moose away. You really can't. These are things you don't know about if you've lived in corn fields your whole life and the worse thing you've dealt with is a stray dog or cat in the road. (Unless you count the peacock on back-country Woodstock roads...)
So I've got the car loaded up and we're about to head out and there blocking the driveway is a baby moose. Now this may conjure up some cute image of a cuddly creature. Moose babies are still the size of a grown deer. Long stick like legs and a big ol head. Well I'm prepared to you know just get out the car and tell it to move. NanNan looks at me like an alien and shrieks for me to stay in the car. Using the door as a barricade I start inching the car forward while she makes noises at the thing. We get the gate open the moose runs INTO the yard, NanNan bolts into the car, Bean is wondering what the hec we're doing and I'm panicking that there is now a moose in the yard. When we get home that moose is lying all curled up in the driveway with this look on his face like "well it's about time you got here."
The next morning I caught him eating out of the chicken feed bin and when we're pulling out he barreled down the gate and was living like a king amongst the chickens. Whom, just looked annoyed that there was a visitor eating all their food.
So, we've named the moose Oscar and if he doesn't behave apparently he may end up as tacos. :(
Bean has a wonderful pre-school teacher, she's the bees knees. That woman is honestly superwoman. I can remember complaining about taking one grad class, working full time, helping take care of my parents house and trying to maintain a social life. This woman has three kiddos, runs her own school is pursuing her Masters and running a household and I'm sure a zillion other things .I don't know how she does it. Well she called me last week and asked if I wouldn't mind helping out on Friday for a few hours. Of course I wouldn't! A room of 3 and 4 year olds would be cake compared to the 10 ADHD children I used to have to corral.
So Friday morning I dropped off Bean and ran to my ART appointment. It was so wonderful hearing him tell me how "buttery" my shoulder was. I could feel the difference too. Those sessions are thirty minutes of torturous pain but I'm willing to put up with it. You don't know how wonderful it is to be driving one day and stop and think that nothing hurts.
Coming back to the school I was greeted with a room of busy kiddos. After getting everything settled, Mrs. K was out the door and Jill was in charge. Well I think the kids really were. I kept getting all the rules wrong and had to make things up as I went. I finally told them that we were going by Jills rules for the time being because I just couldn't keep track of everything. At one point I turned around and all the kids were neatly lined up on their rugs looking at me with big expectant eyes. Apparently it was circle time. How clueless was I! Well I read them the story which they all enjoyed and we had to take a vote as to whether we were going to read it again. (We didn't)
Now, I thought getting 2 kids ready to go outside was a lot of work. Well let me tell you...how wrong was I. I had seven of them in various stages of gloves, hats , boots, pants and coats. I kept turning around to make sure that everything was put on right. Apparently Mrs. K does her checklist toes up and I went the opposite direction. Woops!
Outside we played, Mama and Baby, Dragon and Ice climbers. Those 20 minute went by quick. Now, getting them dressed is one thing. Undressing with a pile of wet things , going potty and washing hands is a WHOLE nother ball of yarn.
Somehow I survived the afternoon with a big smile on my face. It really was a lot of fun.
One of the other Mom's had suggested bringing a couple of the kids over to the food bank to volunteer. I'm always up for the occasion to help out. Those kids got such a tickle out of it. It was heartwarming and nearly brought me to tears.
They had the perfect job of un-loading boxes and stocking the shelves. For three and four year olds it was all just a game. She was beaming with pride by the time we were done and wanted to stay and help more.
So it's been another hugely loooong week...and I don't feel the slightest bit guilty for losing 2.5 hours to a wonderful nap this afternoon. Lazy weekends are wonderfully rejuvenating.
(This is the amazing view at 5 p.m. from my back deck!!)
was tired after reading this post!! but it also sounded like another fun filled day in the adventure! way cool!
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