Scary Cocoa

Aunt Kimber sent Jordan a funny Halloween package that included some Vampire Brew Blood Red Hot Chocolate.  Jordan has been unwilling to try it, because of the fear that it would taste like blood.  We finally convinced her to try it today.  

Looks appetizing! 

Doesn't smell like blood!

Conclusion:  Tastes like hot cocoa!  I don't know why we were scared.

Turkey Shirt

I found a couple of Turkey Shirt ideas on Pinterest.  Here is the shirt that I made for Jordan for this Thanksgiving week!  I used some fat quarters at Hobby Lobby, and used other fabric I had at home.  I cut out a turkey body, then made feathers with all of the other scraps. I sewed on a beak and buttons for eyes.  I couldn't find a plain brown shirt, so I used a white shirt we already had at home.  I love how it turned out!

Waiting to get on the bus on the day of my Fall Party at school!

Source: Uploaded by user via Jennifer on Pinterest

Waiting for the Grass to Grow

Jordan and Daddy took off one evening after dinner.  Apparently it was absolutely necessary to go to Petsmart.  They returned a little while later with some catnip and a tray of funny looking seeds to grow some grass.  This happened to be SPECIAL grass only for the cats because sometimes they need to chew on it.  Jordan has been reading up on cats.  Reading A LOT about cats.  She especially likes little fun facts about cats.  For example, they land on their feet, they sharpen the outer layer of their claws off, they are born with their eyes shut.  These are fascinating to her.  She had a recent conversation with Daddy about the fact that they will sometimes chew on grass.  See project below:

First we poured 1 1/2 cups of water on the seeds.  Then we placed the seeds up in a window to get light for several days.  

 Then each morning we checked on the progress.

 In about a week, we had nice, long grass!  Perfect for a hungry cat. 

Jordan's project was a success!  Crash quickly sampled the luscious grass!  Now the REAL wait begins... What are we waiting for?  Well, Jordan really wants to see one of the cats get a tummy ache and throw up the grass because Daddy told her that it happens sometimes.  Nice.  I can't wait either. 

Turkey Crafts

My little turkey and I made some turkey crafts today with paper plates, construction paper, and toilet paper rolls.  Yummy! 

Hiking at Stephen F. Austin State Park

We took a family day trip to Stephen F. Austin State Park this Sunday.  It is less than half an hour from our house.  It was a beautiful day for hiking around outside!  It was nice and cool under the trees.  We parked at the entrance station to pay (only $8 for the three of us) and to use the restrooms.  Jordan would not go because the toilet seats looked funny.  They were plastic, and about 5 inches thick.    I don't really understand why.  Then we piled back in the truck to explore.  We drove past the golf course, spotted a deer, and drove through the camping area.  We spotted lots of little boy scouts having a camping weekend.  Then we parked near a set of trails.  

Jordan and Daddy checking out our route

Ready to hike

Mommy and Jordan trying out the log bench

 First trail was the Cottonwood Trail.  It was beautiful.  We found a walking stick and started out.  
5 minutes in... Jordan says, "This is so fun!"  We spotted a woodpecker!

 10 minutes in:  "This is so beautiful!" and " I am the leader.  Nobody can get in front of me!"  We decided to take the Opossum Loop.  It was under some beautiful, tall trees.  Jordan was still the leader.  She came up with a way to decide who could lead.  It started with raise your hand if you want to be leader, but it turned out that when Daddy and I both raised our hands we were not the leaders BECAUSE we raised our hands.  

30 minutes in... we turned onto Raccoon Bend Trail.  Jordan was still excited and began a project which included picking up EVERY stick that was lying on the trail.  That slowed us up a little bit, and if we tried to go past her to speed things up, we would get in trouble.  (we were not allowed to lead, you see)

45 minutes in...Daddy got a turn to lead and we found a path to the Brazos River.

 We dug in the water with our stick.  We saw a few little fish, too.  
About an hour in... 
we spotted more wildlife.  One monarch butterfly and one armadillo!  That was very exciting.  We were then on Brazos Trail.  We were still happily hiking along.

 Then we spotted armadillo number two!

 We were able to get very close before we scared him away.  He took off like crazy.  That was pretty funny!

About 1 hour and a half in... we got to the Copperhead Trail.  "I'm hot!  I'm tired!  Where is the car?!  Why is this trail so long?!  I don't want to walk anymore!  Daddy, will you carry me?"  I guess it was good while it lasted.  Needless to say, we made it back to the truck and snacked on some Saltines and salami.  Family fun!

Angry Birds

Do you think my little niece, RyLee, loves Angry Birds?

Twirly Skirt

My Aunt Kapra made me a beautiful twirly skirt with frogs and witch hats!  I love it!  I wore it to school today and everybody loved it, especially my friend Christopher.  I want to marry him.  I wore my little black leggings under it because I had PE today.  That is my favorite class.  Kindergarten is so much fun.  I have art and I love to paint and draw.  I have music with Mr. Ritchie. He is so funny!  My teacher, Mrs. Williams, is really nice, too.  I learned all of my 120 sight words and I got to go on announcements!  I get to ride the bus to school with no parents!  That is crazy!  I have lots of homework, too.  It's not too hard.  I am growing up!

Pumpkin Decorating for School

Jordan's school is having a pumpkin decorating extravaganza.  We are supposed to decorate a pumpkin together as a family. (No carving allowed, 'cause it makes a stinky library) The pumpkins are supposed to be book characters.  Jordan wanted her book character to be Bad Kitty by Nick Breul.  





Jordan likes it best when he is making his "mad" eyes. This is how it turned out! 

This is what happens on Facebook during a Work Day?

Being home sick, I have had a chance to play around on Facebook during an average work day.  I am surprised by how many of my "working" facebook friends have time to post.  I guess having an iphone helps.  I stole this from one of my "working" ex high school band directors.  (Maybe he was home "sick" too, though I didn't ask).  This made me laugh!

Oh, and anyone who reads this has just been Rick-Rolled!!!

Banished to the Upstairs Guest Room

I have strep.  It's pretty miserable.  I used to get it every year as a child, but it has been a long time since I have gotten it as an adult.  Strange, since I come in contact with hundreds of germ-filled children, including my own child, every day!  It feels like a truck hit me, little knives are stabbing the inside of my throat, and my head is going to explode.  I also opted for the shot of antibiotics instead of pills.  Ouch!  That hurt a lot going in my upper butt cheek (the liquid is really thick and took a while going in), then she pressed on it for a while to spread it around, then I had to stay there for 15 minutes as it spread so they could make sure I was okay.  Now my lower body is really sore, too!

In order to keep my family from being infected, I have been banished to the upstairs guest room.  It is also my sewing/knitting/book room, so there is plenty to keep me occupied.  Though, all I have really felt like doing is sleeping, playing on my computer, and watching movies.  Those are things the doctor actually prescribed, including NETFLIX.  I would NEVER turn down a reason to watch Love Actually or catch up on Dr. Who! I was also told not to worry about work.  My team at school is great.  I am sure that all kinds of things are happening and falling apart, but not one of them would tell me.

I am not really sure what is going on in the rest of my house.  Blake keeps bringing me delicious chicken noodle soup.  I glimpsed Jordan yesterday before she went to school.  Blake had her dressed in a purple Halloween shirt, purple converse, and a purple head band.  Cute!  The cats keep sticking their paws under the door.  Maybe someone will bring me a pumpkin-spice latte!  Anyone?

The Butterfly Exhibit

Every weekend, if you ask Jordan where she would like to go, she will say the Butterfly Museum.  (Well, now that the pools are closed.)  It may be a hassle to get over to the museum district, and it does get rather expensive, and we always have to eat at the McDonald's there; but my child being so interested in insects and science is pretty cool.   Daddy always says, "let's go!"