Though this happened last week, I never posted about it...so here it goes:
Aubrey is getting to the age where she likes to do things on her own, so before running errands I set her down on our sidewalk and told her to get in the van. While I was buckling Lily Kate in her seat I saw that Aubrey had stopped to examine something on the sidewalk. I went to get her to put her in her seat and she was holding a DEAD BIRD. She was sweetly holding it saying 'Bir, bir, bir" (She had seen some live pet birds at a day care she was at before Christmas and they had let the girls pet them) I freaked out! I immediately picked her up (bird still in hand) and started shaking her arm until she dropped the bird. Then we ran inside to wash her hands. I'm so thankful she didn't put it in her mouth.
After my heart rate returned to normal I took this picture of the poor little bir!
Ew ew ew!!! Oh, I would've done exactly the same thing. Ha! So funny though. Sweet girl was proud of the bird she found! Ha! : )
ReplyDeleteIt's not a big deal to examine a dead bird. In fact, road kill was homeschool science (LOL) when my children were elementary-aged. Yes, washing hands thoroughly is important, but observation of a dead specimen is an opportunity for learning. How often do you get to see a bird's feathers that closely? You can teach vocabulary words like "quill" and "down" and you can point out how their toes are formed, and fragile life is.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to encourage you to try to overcome your squeamishness with nature. Little girls need to learn early (and from their moms!) that science is wonderful. Our Creator reveals Himself through the beauty of nature.
On the other hand, I overreacted one time when our dog caught a bird in his mouth, and luckily managed to tramatize the dog into dropping the bird before it was injured. He never was much of a hunting dog after that. GRIN.