Every Day A Blessing: April 2015

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Ranch San Rafael - Discover Nature Day

We had a lovely Saturday learning! Swimming was cancelled because of a pancake breakfast. It was nice to have something fun to do together!

Maria rocked the plant identification station. Totally impressed. She knew tomatoes, rosemary, cabbage, and kale!!!

Ella wasn't quite sure about the dinosaurs.....

But sissy to the rescue!!!

The children got to make nature sensory bags. They loved it!

Of course, glitter was involved.

They planted seeds....

They got to spin for rocks! Eli AND Christina spun the grand prize space!!!
Eli got a sparkling geode and Christina a gem necklace....

They really enjoyed the metal detectors and got to keep international coins they found!!

Some animals to look at. Unfortunately, these bunnies are raised to be eaten.

Buzz kill.

They got to milk a cow.... it was fake, yet fun.

Eli wasn't too sure about the birds of prey....

This fellow was molting and trying to get his last feather out. You could tell it really annoyed him.

We got to see the sun through special telescopes.

Eli loved playing Frisbee golf!!

It was a fun day of discovery and just being outside. Afterwards we headed home and even broke out the pool to play in! It was hot!!

So peaceful

I could watch them sleep for hours.

So beautiful.

What a day, what a day.....

The day before a car in front of us swerved into a truck on Vista. Right when we were having a conversation about the importance of seat belts... NO JOKE.

Fortunately, I was far enough back that I didn't crash. I pulled over. There was smoke and tons of liquid everywhere. I called 911 and fortunately another man stopped who was a paramedic off duty. He cut out the air bags with a pocket knife.

They had to use the jaws of life to get the lady out. It was pretty scary, but fortunately there was no blood or anything like that.

There were 2 firetrucks, an ambulance, and about 3 motorcycle cops. I had to give a statement and my contact info.

(Sidenote: When I taught art for Kindergarten a little boy rushed me and gave me a hug. He said, "I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!!! I saw you at the accident!!!" I told him God watched over us and we were OK.)

Next morning, someone had a fall and couldn't get back up again. I had to call 911. She was OK and she'll be sore for a little bit.... but thank goodness she keeps her cell phone close by!!

Eli got to see the inside of an ambulance when they left.

She was just fine, so fortunately no trip to the hospital.

But it definitely made us a little more grateful for all the public servants out there.

Then, I realize something is wrong with my car brakes. I take it in and need all new brakes. Thank you, just cut off my arm and leg. 3 1/2 hours later we were ready to go get the girls from school.

IT WAS A LONG DAY.

Fortunately though, everyone was watched over and protected. I had my stroller so we walked around.... quite a bit. Got to play at the park and enjoy a turkey sandwich (just the littles). Found out Jamba Juice went out of business and visited an apartment complex that had an aura of drug dealerness to it.

WOODCHIPS!!!!!!! Woodchips make everything OK.

The kiddos were troopers. We survived.

Life is such a miracle. The details of it astound me. The constant watch God keeps over us. We are truly blessed.

Death of a mouse....

Joe went out for a run. Conveniently.

I heard the mouse, squeaking... he had finally been caught.

I thought, Hooray!! He's alive. We can humanely release him into the wild and have a glorious glorious day.

Dad gave me a little attitude. But, being the good father he is, he came down with his gloves.... put Willie into his car and off we set for mother nature.

Yeah.

It didn't go as planned.

It was actually horrific.

Because it was a glue trap and I didn't know.

The poor little guy was suffering.