Today Clark, Victoria, Vivian and I visited a pumpkin patch with Victoria's preschool class. First, the children and I worked on a scavenger hunt to find different types of stuffed animals after reading their descriptions. Clark did the reading and then we would search for the respective animal.
Next, we were each given a small, plastic cup full of animal feed so that we could feed sheep, goats, and longhorns. All the children enjoyed pouring feed into their hands and then holding their hands flat like a table in front of the animals and feeling the animals lick the food out of their hands. Vivian seemed to especially enjoy the process. She would giggle over and over each time the animals would lick her hand. She continued to lay her flat hand out in front of the animals' faces long after she ran out of feed.
We then were able to sit in an open trailer full of hay bales which was driven around the farm by a john deer tractor. Clark and Victoria said that was their favorite part of the patch experience.
The children then had a snack and listened to a story about a scarecrow. Afterward, they each picked out their very own pumpkin. It was a pleasant time. I believe everyone enjoyed it thoroughly.
On our drive back to the school, I happened to noticed a woman crossing an extremely busy and dangerous street with a toddler on one hip and a large, heavy car seat over her shoulder. After crossing the street she had the toddler walk but continued to hold the carseat slung over her shoulder. As I sat at the stoplight I debated as to wether I should attempt to ask her if I could give her a ride somewhere. Normally, it's not something I would do; especially with the children in the car with me. I said a silent prayer and felt like it would be safe to help her. I pulled into a parking lot and asked her if I could give her a ride. She very gratefully accepted. Once she got her daughter situated in the carseat, she directed me to her home. I learned that her daughter, Hope, would be two in December and her name was Erin. They had just visited the doctor and couldn't find a ride home, and had decided to walk home instead. Based on our brief conversation and my superficial observation of her home and situation, it appeared that Erin may have many material needs. It was a really good reminder as to how much I have really been blessed in my life. I have never wanted for any necessities of life and have always been very comfortable. I also remembered how often I take that for granted. I may have shortened Erin and Hope's trip by probably an hour but they did much more for me than I for them. I gave Erin my phone number and offered to help her with rides when I can. I hope she will take me up on it.
The rest of the day consisted of reading with the children, cleaning, playing outside, and a little schoolwork. It was a nice autumn day.
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