Fall Nature Study - Mary Jo Peckham 2014

This was the last time we made it out to Mary Jo Peckham this year.  This walk began and progressed like all the others. The kids  running as fast as they could from thing to thing while the other moms and I tried to keep up.  We did have to start to run once they kids had formed a group around something and the twins started yelling "Look momma, a dead bird!" Having no idea what state of decomposure it was in or if it was fully dead even I started running and screaming "don't touch it!"   Luckily it was  a good find (no maggots yet). The kids were all fascinated and we used a stick to turn it over.  I could not tell why it died.  His fellow vulture buddies did not seem interested in eating him.

Hydrangea. Looks like they are going to pinkish.  The soil acidity determines what color they are going to present (My momma taught me that).

The trees do change color here in Houston!

More rock domination by the twins.

Cooper tracing a leaf.

Dead vulture. Not very pretty birds while living but they do serve a vital purpose in nature.  Aesthetics aren't everything when it comes to nature study. Myself, I am always drawn toward the "prettier" things like flowers and such but I have had to train my eyes to see the beauty in rocks and pine needles. I am learning to love the color brown after a lifetime of avoiding it.

Graham still looks for nests in the rocks every time.

Always watching

wee little froggy

Renaissance School Days

We went to the Texas Renaissance Festival for their school day program this year.  I was super excited because we are studying the renaissance this year in school. Although I wish one year they would ditch Henry VIII and let Mary and  Elizabeth fight it out.  Now that would be history coming alive!

Marshall's at least feeling fabulous.

 

 We made it to the joust just in time due to some traffic on the way.

Cooper wanted to ride the flying trampoline ride.  Don't ask me what this has to do with the Renaissance but he had a blast. I suppose they can't fling kids out of trebuchets so this has to suffice.

He was nervous the entire time but never wanted to quit.  He finally got to do a flip at the end.

Marshall, not being a fan of heights, decided on the mechanical joust.  He got the ring on the second try! Huzzah!

Barrett trying to figure that lady out.  "She tall!"

Cooper's not impressed with the dancing.

"Ye Olde Funnel Cake"

About 16 years ago this used to be a chicken on a stick shack called the Royal Arms Tavern.  I worked here my senior year of high school.  It's now a stroller rental place.  The irony is not lost on me even though my stroller pushing days are almost over.

Best bubbies. They were so tired from walking they finally held hands because I was walking too fast.