Annual Cleanup - Ella's Discoveries

The other day, Tyson asked us when we were going to do our yearly cleanup of the riverbank and green space in front of our home. So tonight, after a delicious supper, we headed out with a huge garbage bag for the trash and a smaller bag for pop bottles. The kids buzzed around like bees, ranging out and returning with handfuls of garbage.

When we were about halfway to the end of the green space, Ella reached into the long grass overlooking the river and exclaimed, "I found a hundred dollars!" Heather and I both doubted it was real money but sure enough, she had found two folded up $50 bills. I have no idea how that money would have gotten there but we told the kids that they had been blessed for doing a good deed.



If that wasn't enough excitement, when we got to the end of our route, Ella noticed a bundle of flyers hanging from a tree branch which drew her attention to a whole pile of flyers. It looks like whomever was responsible for delivering them, just came and dumped them over the side of the cliff.



Further down the path we found a second dump site. A quick sampling showed that the flyers comprised at least three different editions - the most recent dated only a few days ago. I asked the boys if they wanted to go on a stakeout with me this weekend.

We'll park the van across the street from the dump sites and sit in the back with some treats and a thermos of hot chocolate. I should report the littering to the police in town, but it might be helpful if I could also give them video footage of the offender.

Plus, it would be good experience for the boys to solve a nice easy case like this.


The kids insisted that I include this picture they made with their Easter rabbits (based on a t-shirt I showed them).

- C