Saturday, May 31, 2014

Crossing the river with a chicken, a fox, and a bag of grain...

A farmer is standing on one bank of a river, with a fox, a chicken, and a bag of grain. He needs to get to the other side of the river, taking the fox, the chicken, and the grain with him.

However, the boat used to cross the river is only large enough to carry the farmer and one of the things he needs to take with him, so he will need to make several trips in order to get everything across.

In addition, he cannot leave the fox unattended with the chicken, or else the fox will eat the chicken; and he cannot leave the chicken unattended with the grain, or else the chicken will eat the grain. The fox is not particularly partial to grain, and may be left alone with it.

How can he get everything across the river without anything being eaten?


Find the answer here: http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_jan2004/Chicken_Fox_2004.htm#ixzz33KGsj2fv

This is how I feel every day when I have to load the car. Except, in my scenario I have a 4 year old boy, a one year old boy, and our supplies for the trip (diaper bag, snacks, water, purse, library books, item to return to the store, ect....). 

Last week, I left them both in the house - loading the supplies first. While I was gone, Beckett worked his way in my room and tripped. Carter hearing him cry, opened the door to check on him. Unfortunately, Beckett"s hands were on the floor, in front of the door. The door opened over his hands, ripping one of his fingernails completely back and another back far enough that he will likely lose it too (Gruesome pictures at the bottom). I came back in just as this was happening. By the time I ran out the door, I was 15 minutes late for my doctor's appointment  and I was covered in blood. Thinking we could still make it in time, I didn't change. Half-way into our hour drive to the doctor I called them to let them know I was running late, and they let me know not to bother coming any further. After spending another 15 minutes trying to get out of traffic and getting lost while trying to turn around, I gave up altogether. We stopped at the store, where I bought myself some chocolate, and proceeded to the park.

This week, I decided to load the boys first. They were fastened securely in their seats and could not get into trouble right? Wrong. Carter can now unbuckle himself all the way. He got bored waiting for me to use the bathroom and load everything that was needed. He climbed up into the front seat and set off the alarm. In my panic get off the toilet, sooth the kids, calm the neighbor, and stop the alarm - I couldn't remember where my keys were. So, I couldn't shut the alarm off quickly. I ended up spending an extra couple minutes searching for my spare and using it to shut the alarm off. Then, another couple minutes searching for my keys - which were by the door....

I have not figured out the answer to my riddle. I know it will only get more difficult when the third comes right?



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