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I Am The Best Mom Ever

Today I took Estelle to my mom's to get her hair cut by Jessica. Every Saturday, David goes there to mow my mom's lawn. His family goes with them. They are all very kind. Estelle has been wanting a school haircut and even though school started two weeks ago, this was as soon as we could get it done. 

When we arrived I noticed an ice cream container on the table. It was quickly brought to my attention that in the container housed a snake. I was informed that David caught it for Taylor's birthday. No way. I said that that would not be riding in my car. 

I do not like snakes. My mom and David and Jessica did not really know what to do with the snake. It was a baby snake for your information. Both Estelle and Sarah wanted to take it to Taylor, they know how much he likes them. 

I thought, "Okay, fine. We'll show it to Taylor then drop it off in the hills above our neighborhood like we do when he catches snakes in the 'hood. 

Taylor was at a neighbor's house helping Destry finish the basement. I called when we were in the driveway and had Destry send him out. We were driving the few blocks to where we would drop it off when he mentioned that if we kept it for three months he could get his reptile merit badge completed. Ugh.

Unfortunately for me, I began thinking out loud. "It is only a baby. It is only for three months. He could get his merit badge. We could set it free. It is a wild, native snake and not some python or boa that is not native. If it started to get too big too fast, we could set if free sooner..."

Of course Taylor got all excited and the girls joined in his cause. It would, after all, be cool if we had a snake. The Holdaways have had ducks, squirrels, and a number of other "wild" animals at their house. Ugh.

I do like to encourage and support my kids in their passions and in their scouting pursuits. But did I mention, I don't like snakes. 

I don't know what came over me, except that I am the best mom ever, but I agreed to the three month maximum. If it starts growing too fast, or smells bad, or eating too much, or being a big distraction, or being shared in our house with all the neighbor kids, IT IS OUT OF HERE!

I'm hoping to keep it in the garage and not the house. And I'm not spending one dime on its upkeep. He and the other kids will have to catch bugs and whatever else a baby snake eats to feed it.

Did I mention, "I'm the best mom ever!" 

And.

I hate snakes!

Ugh.

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