Hello readers! 

Week 5 of my fellowship has been a whirlwind. This week we attended a 4H farm in Sunbury, Ohio. On our way to the farm, I discussed how we should respect the farm and the animals that live there. Mid-speech the wheels on the bus went pop and we ended up on the side of the road on the highway. I would say I was shocked, but I am quickly noticing how unpredictable working with kids can be. While the kids started to get apprehensive I said, “Boys and girls guess what?! Now you have stories to tell that others don’t! Who else can say their bus’ tire popped in the middle of the highway?” Before I knew it, another student said, “This has happened to me before”. Perplexed and in a last ditch effort, I pulled out my snack bag and said “okay everyone if you are listening and are seated you get snacks”. As I am passing around the snacks I tell them “okay if you spill the snacks be ready to clean up after yourselves”. As I am saying this I spill some of the snacks. Imagine my surprise when the kids tell me I need to clean up after myself. What can I say, my kids have great wit and they never miss an opportunity. 

At the farm, we walked around, pet the farm animals, made homemade ice cream, enjoyed a scavenger hunt, and swam in the pond. The kids loved the 4H farm. This opportunity for them to be on a farm and witness how everything is operated gave them insight into a different lifestyle and work environment. Kids around their age range also raised their own calves and showcased their grown cows at shows. I am hoping this gave the kids more insight to the world outside of Franklinton. 

Keeping up with the kids is getting easier as I figure each kid out. They all are so unique and skilled in different ways. I am realizing that if you play to their skillset they effectively listen and learn. So while at the pond when one of my kiddos decided to run towards me with his hands out and palms up, whilst holding a frog, excitedly saying miss Ladan miss Ladan; I gave him a smile. I encouraged his competitive side and dared him to put the frog down and try the zip line instead. Successfully avoiding becoming the victim to a small frog. 

The weather has been nice and so while we sip on lemonade and kick our feet up my kiddos and I will be catching the summer breeze and we hope you will too! 

See you soon

Ladan