The Concept of Time

I am often frustrated by time. When I want it to pass slowly, it flies. When I want it to go quickly, it crawls. Last week seems like forever ago, but last year seems like yesterday. Next month never gets here, but next year will be here before I know it. Seems complex.

Nathan has a much simpler concept of time. If it happened today, it happened today. If it happened before today, it happened yesterday. If it is going to happen after today, it happens tomorrow. So last week, last month, and last year are all yesterday. Likewise, next week, next month, and next year are all tomorrow. Seems simple.

Nathan Asks

Road construction has us taking the scenic route to school these days, and we often drive past several large ponds. This morning on the way to school:

Nathan: Mom, are those made of fresh water or salty water?
Mom: Those ponds are fresh water.
Nathan: Okay. So there are no sharks in there.

Movies in the Park

M&I Bank does a Movies in the Park series all summer long. Of course, I didn't find out about it until the last one! We headed to Richard Walton Park in Oakdale and met up with the Watson's to watch Madagascar 2. We were surprised at how many people were there. They had a giant inflatable screen set up.

Here's the crew getting settled in for the movie.

Mathew LOVED the puffcorn. Luckily, Becky remembered to bring bowls. Mathew ate three bowls of puffcorn before we cut him off!

Slip 'N' Slide

Our neighbor Joe had a giant piece of poly that we put down on the little hill in the backyard. We added a hose, and presto! Slip 'n' slide! Nathan had fun doing tandem runs with Chris.

Children's Farm

We had our first class at Children's Farm (we call if Farm School) today. This is a 4 week program that I signed up for after hearing wonderful reviews from other parents. Nathan and I weren't sure what to expect, but we certainly did not expect to do so much in 2 hours.

We started out by feeding the animals. Nathan chose to feed the kids first; two little goats who were VERY hungry. Next he fed the hens in the chicken coop. Then it was off to feed the rabbits, and bring hay to the cow. Since it was hot out, Nathan pumped water to keep the animals hydrated. Next week we hope to have an opportunity to feed the sheep, ducks, geese, calf, and pigs.

After we fed the animals, we met as a group and learned about the activites that were available us as this week as "choices". Each week, new activities are introduced and become choices for the following weeks.

Nathan wanted to plant wheat first. So he picked up a rake and started working in the garden. When he was finished, he had planted a handful of wheat. Hopefully we see it start to grow by the end of the program.

Planting wheat naturally led to digging large wholes in the garden. This seemed to be a very popular choice for everyone, boys and girls.

After planting wheat and digging holes, Nathan went to the chicken coop and collected eggs. He washed them and set them in egg cartons to dry. That's when we noticed that the line for riding Gertie, the horse, was very short. Will taught Nathan how to handle the reins to get Gertie to start, stop, and turn. This is something I'm sure he'll practice each week!

While Nathan was riding Gertie, Jenny (the teacher) brought out a wagon full of kittens. The kids got to take turns holding them. Amazing to watch a group of rough and rowdy kids settle right down, gently cradling the kittens in their laps. When the kittens were tired, Nathan helped Jenny pull the wagon back to the barn.

It was time to put the goats back into their little "goat house". Nathan thought his goat would be a little more cooperative if he pet him first. I'm not sure if it worked!

After the animals were all settled, and everything was put away, we met again as a group to go on a short hike through the pumpkin patch and little pine forest. Next week the hike will be one of our "choices". Nathan collected a few pine cones along the way.

We ended the afternoon singing a few songs together on a blanket and ringing the bell before we left. We are excited to go back next week.