He's awake

It never fails that anytime we are anywhere in the general LSU area, Emerson is going to ask to go see Mike the Tiger.  Finally, in probably a year, we caught him awake and active.

 

 

As part of the routine, she will run off ahead of us, by herself, and climb on the bronze Mike.  She had no idea we were watching her.  She was just a singin'... 



A night out...

as Zombies... We attended a Halloween Costume Party this past weekend.

I'd say we rocked it! You think this could be our Christmas Card this year?

The Jungle Book

What does a bush found in the African tundra look like?

 

Emerson is a bush in Dunham's production of The Jungle Book.  After a month and a half of practices lasting well into the evenings, the first show was tonight. Who knew a bush required so much practice...

I have been hearing how impressive the Music/Arts program is at Dunham and WOW was everyone right.  There are over 100 kids in this show and it went off tonight without a hitch.  There are 6 bushes, but this is all I could get to hold still long enough to take a picture. She did a great job and told me on the way home how special it was to be a part of such a big thing! 

Projects

2nd Grade has really stepped things up a bit.  We have finished a few projects already this year.  

 

 

Habitat Project

 The Habitat Project included research, a written report, model of your animal and an example of the habitat in which it lives.

Pumpkin Baby

This last week, the kids had to learn a little bit about responsibility. They had to keep a "Pumpkin Baby" with them all day everyday.  At home, school, lunch, recess and even the bathroom.  I think the parents were much more excited about this one being complete than the kids.  Poor Emma had some issues.  Most days she came home without eyes or a nose...

A few more Boston pics

 

Right near the Marina, was Quincy Market.  Shopping, lots of eating and a Carousel.  This is the coolest Carousel.  It is all animals mainly native to the area.  I can;t remember them all but it included a fox, whales, butterflies, a squirrel, bunnies, owls, a moose and a sea turtle...  So well done!

 

 

Em driving The Kaki on our last day in Boston. She needs more practice for sure!

A few more things checked off her list

On her To Do List, was to go see Emerson College and to see "Make Way for Ducklings". I don't think she was that impressed with Emerson College.  I think she was expecting to see a huge institution like LSU. But hey, check that off. Done.

 Right across from Emerson College is Boston's version of Central Park, Boston Commons.  Not as big as Central Park, but just as peaceful and green. It was a beautiful day and there were people everywhere.  This Washington Statue was in her book...check.

 The famed Swan Boats had already been winterized, so she was bummed about not seeing those, but this beautiful pond with two swans made up for it.

Finally, after alot of walking and worrying we would not find it, we found the bronze statues "Make Way for Ducklings".  "Make Way for Ducklings" is a book written by Robert McCloskey.  The book was inspired by his childhood experiences growing up in Boston. What makes this even more special is that the book, which Emerson has and adores, was awarded The Caldecott Medal as "The most distinguished American picture book for children" in the year of its publication. It was the one thing she could not leave Boston without seeing, she said.

New England Aquarium

The Aquarium was on the water and within walking distance from the Marina where the boat was. The Aquarium was awesome.  I could have stayed there all day.  Lots of different things native to the Northeast.  This Aquarium was multi-level and had a HUGE center tank that was accessible from every floor.  They had at least 4 species of Penguins and Seals. 

 

 

The Seal exhibit was glass and was visible from the outside of the Aquarium.  It was fun at night to walk by and to see the Seals playing around.

 

 

 

 

We also spent one rainy, cold day at the Science Museum.  It was pretty awesome too.  We watched a simulated Electricty Demonstration that was so interesting. Emerson has a kids book about Boston and so all of these items are things she wanted to do and see while there. Due to Government Closures, we could not do Freedom Trail attractions or the SS Constitution, whcih was on her list.  Items for another trip...  We attended the Columbus Day Parade which was different than our parades.  They dont throw anything in Boston.  At least it didn't last long!



Boston 2013

We are back from a long fall weekend break in Boston.  Weather was cool and crisp and was such a nice change from our hot humid days.  The day we arrived, we went about 30 minutes outside of Boston to a County Fair.  The Northeast still holds fairs like they used too a long time ago.  Schools and Businesses are off for the Fair and it is huge.  Live Stock barns, Bird barns, Fruit and Vegetable barns and the food goes on for miles.

 

This awesome bird is a type of Pheasant.  We obviously don't see these around here.  This guy reminds me of something out of a Star Wars movie.  His eyes are so eery but beautiful at the same time.