Oh, happy day! It feels wonderful to not have much to do today at all. Ahhh, it is heaven
Lemme tell you, if you couldn't tell from yesterday's post, I need this. Not that I slept late, I was still wide awake before 5 am but it *feels* different not having to roll out of bed on a time schedule.
Was it a long day yesterday? Uh-huh. Did I really clock 17,000 steps and 7.6 miles? Uhhhh-huhhh. Did my feet hurt? You bet!
The groups of kids I had were amazing. They were 7th graders, had never been to Weis, and weren't quite sure how they felt about nature. They were from an inner-city prep school so they don't get the same "bears in the backyard" experiences that many of the other kids get. We didn't find too many things in the stream but we did see newts and a frog-- good indicators of stream health. I showed them the dragonflies zipping around and explained that they would have lived in the stream maybe even just a week ago. The intern I was with is such a sweet guy. So nice. Soft-spoken and felt a little hesitant until I threw him into the fire. (not literally! LOL). I was bringing one group down the trail and he was picking up our next group from a closer spot. My group *should* have been going to the near end of the field but they were switched to a different fire pit allllll the way on the other side of the property. I had to walkie the intern and told him to go ahead and do the intro b/c I wasn't going to be back in time. Told him I knew he could do it. Weis is notorious for throwing new people in the mix - ready or not. And honestly, everyone there is ready even if we think we aren't. he said that he forgot to tell them the safety rules. Well- they are 7th graders and should know to not jump on the slimy rocks I was really proud of him, his first day on the Stream Study.
We also had a rat snake hanging out with us at lunchtime. The kids were trying to put away their lunches and the snake was right in front of the bins. They were super respectful, with no screaming or pushing. Just curious as Lauren told them a little about rat snakes. They reacted the same way when we found the frog. Observed quietly and helped each other see where it was- only its eyes and snout were above the waterline. With some groups, I don't even show them the frogs if they are going to try and grab it or scream and run.
I was running really late after work, so I didn't get to talk to Cait's friend about the shower. That is my only firm thing to do today. Talk to her around 9. It looks beautiful outside so *if* I can catch up on some Oscraps work and some housework, I'd love to work in the yard.
have a lovely day!
Lemme tell you, if you couldn't tell from yesterday's post, I need this. Not that I slept late, I was still wide awake before 5 am but it *feels* different not having to roll out of bed on a time schedule.
Was it a long day yesterday? Uh-huh. Did I really clock 17,000 steps and 7.6 miles? Uhhhh-huhhh. Did my feet hurt? You bet!
The groups of kids I had were amazing. They were 7th graders, had never been to Weis, and weren't quite sure how they felt about nature. They were from an inner-city prep school so they don't get the same "bears in the backyard" experiences that many of the other kids get. We didn't find too many things in the stream but we did see newts and a frog-- good indicators of stream health. I showed them the dragonflies zipping around and explained that they would have lived in the stream maybe even just a week ago. The intern I was with is such a sweet guy. So nice. Soft-spoken and felt a little hesitant until I threw him into the fire. (not literally! LOL). I was bringing one group down the trail and he was picking up our next group from a closer spot. My group *should* have been going to the near end of the field but they were switched to a different fire pit allllll the way on the other side of the property. I had to walkie the intern and told him to go ahead and do the intro b/c I wasn't going to be back in time. Told him I knew he could do it. Weis is notorious for throwing new people in the mix - ready or not. And honestly, everyone there is ready even if we think we aren't. he said that he forgot to tell them the safety rules. Well- they are 7th graders and should know to not jump on the slimy rocks I was really proud of him, his first day on the Stream Study.
We also had a rat snake hanging out with us at lunchtime. The kids were trying to put away their lunches and the snake was right in front of the bins. They were super respectful, with no screaming or pushing. Just curious as Lauren told them a little about rat snakes. They reacted the same way when we found the frog. Observed quietly and helped each other see where it was- only its eyes and snout were above the waterline. With some groups, I don't even show them the frogs if they are going to try and grab it or scream and run.
I was running really late after work, so I didn't get to talk to Cait's friend about the shower. That is my only firm thing to do today. Talk to her around 9. It looks beautiful outside so *if* I can catch up on some Oscraps work and some housework, I'd love to work in the yard.
have a lovely day!