A New Ecology Class

 This morning, we had a new Mommy & Me Ecology Class at the Rye Nature Center. I had intended to join the RNC this year, so I planned to show up earlier than class started. I also hoped that Alex would get excited for the class by seeing Squeaks (the guinea pig) and "the Lokis" (as he calls all ferrets) again. They did us one better. They showed Alex the new cider press. He was all over that. A date was made to show up the next day for a Cidering Workshop.

There was a new teacher for this class and, even more exciting, new students close to Alex's age! Alex dove right into playing with the toy animals and meeting his new classmates.

When it was time to start, Alex asked why a class was starting now. This was not to be confused with his degree of interest in the class. Kristy took them outside to plant carrots and water them. Alex was now really engaged in the class.

Making a hole for the carrot seeds

Watering the plants

Husking corn

She even had them dig up earthworms to help the newly planted seeds along. Alex LOVED that part. In fact, he loved it so much that he didn't want to put the worm in the planter. I had to remind him that the last time he carried a worm around at the Marshlands Conservancy he wound up with a dead worm. To place the worm in the planter would be the kindest thing he could do. I had to promise that he would see the worm next week.

Handling the earthworm

Watching the worm bury himself

Alex even sat down with the class to do the craft! At storytime, he was still not interested, preferring to sit and look at the shell collection with me.

After class, I would have thought that he wanted to go straight to the playground. After all, it is his favorite place in the whole nature center. Instead, he led me to the pond. "Let's see the tadpoles!" he said, excitedly dashing over to the tub where the tadpoles were kept in the Spring. I had to explain that they were frogs by now and likely living in the pond. Then he wanted to see them there. We didn't see any, but we did catch movement away from our feet at the edge of the pond.

Hoping to see frogs

Then it was time to go to the playground. He was thrilled to know that it was free play time. "We don't have to learn!" he cheered, "Yay!"

Eventually, we left for lunch at the Bagel Shop and we stopped at the Country Store. He must have been happy with the adventure as it unfolded because he gave me no real argument on the bus home.

Well, here's hoping that the next class comes with just as much enthusiasm.

Friday, September 16