Jungle

Are there times when you look out your window and the only thought you have is. . . "we need a lawnmower." Times when a person leaves a note on your door, "I can mow, edge, and blow off your yard at ____ for $ 25.00. Call Forest at. . ." Times when you wish you talked to your neighbor enough that it would not be weird to walk over and borrow their lawnmower. . . Times. . . when. . .

1. . .2. . .3. . .The Math of Handwashing

This evening in the bathroom, I heard a concerned mother ask her 4-year-old daughter, "Now, Honey, how many seconds do you wash your hands?" Her daughter mumbled something and the mother replied, "Yes, good, 20 seconds." After they left the other woman in the bathroom smiled and said, "Yes, 20 seconds and then you touch the door handle and get them all back."

This evening I thought I would try and count while washing instead of letting my mind wander while I played in the warm soapy water. I got to about 9 or maybe 12 when I had to start struggling to keep my mind on counting. At about 15 seconds I almost forgot what I was counting for and then I made it to 20 seconds, did not think my hands were quite done and stayed there a few more without the botherment of counting.

Washing hands should be something everyone, especially distractible people and kids, should be allowed to do without counting. How far can your mind wander if you are trying to keep track of 20 numbers?

Teaching first grade can be tough. Knowing this, my father-in-law sent me a joke to keep me smiling. He did not say where it was from so I will just put it here. . . thanks to whoever wrote it.

My six-year-old was having a tough time adjusting to first grade. At least twice a week, I received a note from his teacher outlining his latest infraction. Finally, I sat him down and laid it on the line. "I don't want any more notes from your teacher!" "All right, Mom," he said. "Are you going to tell her, or do you want me to?"