Buffalo poop and lamb's ear

 Writers know  the way we view things has a direct impact on our sense of accomplishment. 

It may be a boulder to you, but Liam felt as though he'd conquered a mountain. Same way with writing a paragraph, poem or a story. Be proud of your work.

Liam was off school for fall break, so he and I hit up the playground, river bank, small animal park, and also Lone Elk Park, where herds of elk and buffalo roam freely. Visitors drive through. 

When I taught, I used to bring a huge buffalo hide into my classroom at this time of year and do a lesson on Native Americans. 

I had been telling Liam about how the Plains Indians hunted buffalo and used all parts of the big animal to survive: clothing, shoes, shelter, food and much more. I asked if he would like to see a real buffalo up close. He was so excited when he saw the herd laying down in the field at midday. I pulled to the side of the road and told him he could unbuckle his seat belt and come lean out my window and get a good look at them. 

"No thank you. What if they charge the car?" He was seriously concerned. When I convinced him we were safe, he looked out the window and we made observations about the largest, wooliest, etc. 

"Nana, look! I thought that was a pile of poop way over there, but it's a baby buffalo."

Perfect opportunity to explain that buffaloes only eat grass, and the Native Americans even used  the buffalo poop when it dried out to fuel their fires.

His mom said Liam talked all the way home about everything he had seen, learned, and done during the two days we spent together. He told her about touching velvety soft lamb's ear: the plant we found growing wild at the river, not the animal, and throwing rocks into the river, and digging in sand, and climbing a look out tower.

When we pulled into our driveway he noticed the three little boys next door. They ran to the car and yelled, "Is that Liam?!" It had been months since they had seen one another.

 He ran to join them on our front lawn. I filled water balloons for them to toss at a target, gave them different sizes and weights of balls  to toss into a bowl. But they had the most fun when I brought out an old throw pillow and showed them how to play pillow tag. Liam wore his mask at all times.

That little six year old smarty wore me out, but I sure enjoyed our time together.

The next day I found a wonderful reminder that Liam had been here. Next to my computer I witnessed his literacy developing.

First he sounded out his brother's name, and then he wrote an observation. I laughed so hard.

Make the most of each day. Cherish time with loved ones, and remember to count your blessings.