We had two big events to celebrate and bite our educational teeth into today: Ada’s first plane ride and delivering mail with River Park Mail Carrier, Kevin. Lots of interesting works were experienced leading up to these large group activities.

We began Creative Music with a game of “Please Mr. Postman”, passing a letter around ‘til the music stopped. Whoever was left holding the envelope stood up and answered a question. After everyone had a chance, we turned the Carpenters off and played “Leaving On A Jet Plane”. We presented Ada with an airline read and then took flight into an improvised airplane story.

The clock was tickin’ toward 10:15, so we landed on the front porch and made up stories as we waited for Letter Carrier Kevin.

Here’s what we learned about Letter Carriers as we traveled, this time on foot, around our block:

• First, they are called mail carriers, not mailmen or mailwomen.
• There are over 200,000 mail carriers in the US.
• Rain, shine, sleet or snow, mail carriers deliver your mail.

• The Post Office has LOTS of rules, including no one else can touch Kevin’s mail or get into his truck.
• Advertising makes up 1/3rd of Kevin’s daily mail deliveries.
• Mrs. Parker is turning 97 on June 8th!

• Kevin walks 13 miles a day on his route!
• He’s had this River Park route for 10 years.
• If he can’t deliver his mail, the post office gives his route to another mail carrier, or splits it up for several carriers.
• You don’t call them mail boxes, you call them “mail receptacles”.

• You must drink lots of water if you are a mail carrier.
• The door on a mail truck slides and the steering wheel is on the passenger seat side.
• And most importantly, shared Kevin, “Regular mail is better than email, because it ALWAYS gets through.” And if it fits, it ships.

Wee Sprouts: Cucumbers. Breakfast: Chex Cereal and pear slices. Lunch: Hummus on whole grain flatbread, bananas and celery sticks. Snack: Hard boiled eggs and pretzels.

Have a terrific weekend!