When my alarm went off at 5:30 and I headed off to the gym, I did not know what was about to happen...(insert at the gym I did 'arms'-summer goal #3).
At 7:40, I pulled in to 7/11 to give Blizzard some water (aka-gas). There was a car parked in front of me. In the passenger seat, there was a long, thin vertical neck moving. After using my UVA smarts to deduce that it was not a giraffe, I heard a quack. Immediately, I was out of Blizzard and slowly approaching the side window. I didn't know if it was a nice duck or a mean duck. How do you even tell with ducks? The owner came out and we struck up a conversation along with everyone pumping their gas. Beanie, the duck, was from Maryland and lived in a laundry basket. She wore a harness and a diaper.
At 8:00, I noticed a bunch of my kiddos gathered around a boy's knee. After using my UVA smarts, I deduced that a boy's knee is not that cool to warrant a half dozen of my Clever Cookies' attention nor that a boy's pants are that enticing. I calmly hovered and my 'tattle turtle' as I ironically call her mentioned the 2 words: "snapping turtle." Bingo! I got the situation under control. I quickly reviewed the 4 needs of animals-space, shelter, food, water. As my Clever Cookies stood mouths agape, we discussed how only the need for shelter was met by the turtle who lived in the cargo pants. The Clever Cookies decided (with a little persuasive, leading guidance) that the cargo turtle should be returned to his natural environment where all needs could be met. Naturally, a field trip outside followed.
At noon, a little critter was found in a box in my room. I had to get Deputy Smith to remove him since I refused to kill him and I couldn't leave my kids. I think that was the most interesting call he got all day.
At 3:30, Momma Pilot took 2 other teachers and I to dinner before the Fun Fair. It was great to get to know my colleagues better and to enjoy being outside of school. A beautiful moment occurred when we all bowed out heads to pray over the meal. How often do you do that with non-family members?
At 5:00, my face painting abilities were tested. I quickly jumped from face painting to body painting. Sure, I encouraged kids to wander from the typical butterfly or rainbow, although some kiddos did want the classics. For 2 tickets I adorned kids with Dale Jr tatoos, Jimmie Johnson tatoos, Red Sox, camouflage masks, skeletons with princess crowns, VT, Georgia Tech (really?, UVA didn't make the cut-grr), Taylor Swift & #13, smiley faces, and local softball/baseball team names.
It was a great day...
Moral of the Story: When you see a pet duck, turtle in a cargo pocket, or a brush with paint, embrace the opportunity to enjoy the moment and have fun with it.
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