{Gator & Friends}

If you have been paying attention closely to some of my secrets that are revealed on Friday’s, then you know that I have developed a fear of alligators. I never liked them all that much before moving to the south but now that we are living here, the idea of actually being able to see one thriving in its natural environment, truly raises a whole new level of anxiety inside my bones.



Here’s the thing, one can’t exactly live in Louisiana and not expect to see Alligators. Up until last week, I did my best to avoid even the small possibility of catching a tiny glimpse of one. The only body of water I go near is our community pool and even then, I double check to make sure that little beady eyes aren’t sticking up watching and waiting.


I had about a 40 minute drive to try to overcome my fear of alligators last Friday as we made our way to the Gator & Friends kindergarten fieldtrip. I wasn’t allowed to miss out on this trip. Trav was so excited about this fieldtrip. He has really taken a liking to these statue like creatures. He finds them so interesting. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why. I decided that it must be a boy thing. I’ve learned slowly that boys like all the weird, out of this world, gross things in life and well in my opinion alligators fit at least one of these categories. Boy did I have A LOT to learn in one afternoon with a class full of smart kindergartners.

When I walked into the building and looked outside, the first thing I was faced with was a window that looked outside to the park grounds. Right before my eyes were alligators sprawled out all over the place. Not just one or two unless you are adding hundred to the end of those two numbers. They were EVERYWHERE!!

 

Baby ones.

G-I-N-O-R-A-M-U-S ones.

Ones that were camouflaged against the dirt walls and green vegetation.

 

Ones that were swimming around in the green swampy water.

(Just so you know, my body is literally covered in chills right now. Not just the ones that appear on your skin but the ones that you feel in the pit of your stomach)


Needless to say I had to step outside and take a deep breath before continuing on with my son and his class. 40 minutes was NOT enough time!!!


This is what I learned in the first 10 minutes of being around Trav and his friends.

• Kindergartners are VERY brave!
• Kindergartners have NO fear!
• Kindergartners are willing to explore and investigate EVERYTHING because they are brave and have no fear!

Our first stop was to meet and greet none other than Mr. Baby Alligator himself. They brought out a baby alligator for all of the kids to hold. These brave kinder kids had NO FEAR!! The kids walked right up to him, held on to him tight, and most of them even put their faces right next to the alligator’s body (even the girls)! Trav was of course one of these very brave kinder kids. I was in complete shock!!

Trav asked me to hold one because well you know “Alligators are so cool!!! After he had his turn, he said “they don’t feel like snakes you will be ok. Just try.” Don’t you just hate it when kids use your sayings against you?!?! Somehow between Trav and Grampy, I was talked into holding the baby alligator. I actually did just fine until it decided to take a deep breath. (My chills are 100 times worse right now) I soon as I felt his stomach contract, I freaked out. It’s a good thing the alligator guy was standing right next to me! I pretty much ran off stage and headed straight towards the sanitizing station with my heart beating out of my chest.

I was grateful that our next stop was with the cute animals that like to eat out of your hand instead of using your hand as an appetizer.


The kids spent time walking around feeding and petting different animals. We eventually made our way to the picnic tables for some lunch.

As the kids ate, Grampy and I made our way over to watch the alligators. I have never in my life ever paid attention to these creatures. Remember, I do everything to avoid them. However watching them that afternoon made me realize something, I know nothing about these animals. My son had so many questions and I couldn’t answer him because I have never taken the time to learn about them. I have to admit, I was truly mesmerized by them. I watched them move. I watched them swim. I watched them interact. I was literally entranced by them. They are ugly and scary looking. They would demolish me without ever looking back (I was glad that they were in a protected area) but, I have to admit, there is something quite amazing about them.

I’m sure you have guessed that the first thing I did when I got home was look up alligator books for Trav (and mommy too). The Easter Bunny just might have some extra special reading surprises to leave behind this year =)