National Color Day 2020

October 22 was National Color Day. It was also Make a Dog's Day.

Jet and I went for a walk along the Provo River. There were still some Fall colors. Several people had dogs on the trail. Boom. Celebrated.

For dinner we had hot dogs and Polish sausages with multicolored condiments. Boom. Also celebrated.

And what is it with pumpkins in the river? I saw a couple more while we were walking.

This one didn't make it into the river. Tee Hee.

Carving Pumpkins- Zoom Style

October 21 was Reptile Awareness Day. Jr. Jr. and I talked reptiles while doing spelling homework. "Spell 'screech' as in screech owl, which is not a reptile but a bird." Chimpanzees are mammals, not reptiles.

Later that day, Nichole and Jr. participated in a pumpkin carving youth activity via Zoom.

Jr. thought he'd carve one appropriate for 2020. Nichole made hers two-sided. One side had a triforce on it and the other had a Guardian from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Jr. Jr.'s Birthday

We celebrated Jr. Jr.'s birthday recently. He requested for dinner individual-sized pizzas for everyone so we each were able to have two. He also asked for dried fruit and the traditional orange Shasta.

For cake and ice cream, we had strawberry cake with lemon frosting (great combination) and peanut butter cup ice cream. Mmmmm.

I was sure I had another box of birthday candles but I could not find them so we got creative again.

And it didn't take us nearly as long to remember the fan was on this time when Jr. was trying to light candles.

Jr. Jr. got to open cards from his grandparents.

"The other one I opened with sincere gratitude. This one I open with sincere greediness." 

 

He was very pleased with his present from us. Little fantasy character figurines.

Mom: Look. It's Mommy and Daddy.

Jr. Jr.: And the real giant over here.

 

Lucky made Jr. Jr. a LEGO duck. It even had an egg. Jr. Jr. was grateful for that. I think it is so sweet that Lucky has adopted this tradition of service for family members' birthdays this year.

At bedtime, Jr. Jr. got a couple of birthday texts from extended family and he let us know he had a great birthday.

Fall Break- Antelope Island

I asked in advance what family members wanted to do for Fall Break to see what we could fit in. Besides hiking, owling with Jr. Jr., and the gardens at Thanksgiving Point, the last thing on the list was going to Antelope Island to play in the long grass. So for our last day of Fall Break, we headed to Antelope Island. 

Unfortunately the long grass was all cut down but we played in the woods. 

Actually there were not many people at Garr Ranch so we had the bird area to ourselves for a while. We saw several different species including a Virginia Rail, some hermit thrushes, and plenty of ruby-crowned kinglets to name just a few.

This raven was making all sorts of noises, including some that made us think we were hearing other birds. Corvids are cool. 

At one point Jet and I were walking toward an area Nichole had gone to take pictures when a few kinglets started hopping around on the trees right in front of us. We stood still and watched them then watched some thrushes pop out and hop around as well. I was impressed with how quiet and still Jet was. He was very interested in watching those birds as was I.

We met some other birders who are moving to the area from New York. Jeremy was able to tell them what we'd been seeing. Later we ran into them again while we stopped for lunch with the bison and Jeremy was able to point out some loggerhead shrikes and a coyote.

 

Birding whilst social distancing.

 

Quite a few flies got into the van so Jr. kept saying, "Flies are your tickle friends," in a funny voice. Can you tell the kids have been reading the blog lately?

 

I'm on top of the world.

 

It was a great trip. We had such a good time but it was tiring. Two of the children were asleep by the time we got home. Awwwww.

The cutest part of the trip- when we got off the freeway, Lucky saw the sign for Antelope Dr and asked, "Antelope Doctor? Why do they have an Antelope Doctor?"

Fall Break- "Chuckles"

I asked the kids to make dinner again. Jr. helped Jr. Jr. make BBQ chicken pizza and helped Lucky steam some broccoli. He also made apple juice for us to drink. Nichole made breadsticks. 

Dad created a new treat- rice crispy treats with "Chuckles." What's "Chuckles" you ask? Our children asked the same question.

You see, a while back one night after the kids were in bed, Jeremy made a snack for the two of us to eat while watching a movie or something. It was peanuts, braided twist pretzels, and Reese's Pieces. Yummm. Lovely combination.

Another day, I mentioned I wanted the snack Jeremy made. Nichole overheard and wondered what we were talking about. Jeremy told her we were talking about a snack we had while the kids were in bed. Nichole asked what was in it. At that moment, Jeremy laughed at something he was reading. Nichole then said, "Apparently they're chuckles." Jeremy said, "Yes. They are chuckles," and Jeremy and I started referring to that snack as "Chuckles." Nichole still didn't know what "Chuckles" was made of and none of the other kids did, either. Bwah ha ha ha.

Some of them watched very carefully to see how Jeremy made the rice crispy treats so now they know, but we will still call that snack "Chuckles."

Fall Break- Dance Productive

We told the kids we need to catch up on dishes and laundry in order to do other activities. Jr. and Jr. Jr. put on music which I thought was a good idea. I even pointed out that they could dance while they were being productive. Jr. Jr. immediately called out, "Dance productive!" in a singing voice so I joined in, every once in a while singing out, "Dance productive."

 

That afternoon we braved the crowds at Ashton Gardens for the scarecrow festival.

We had some favorite scarecrows such as "Room on the Broom" and a dragon. Of course there were some COVID related scarecrows. How could there not be?

We had more time this year than last so we were able to see some other gardens.

Somehow "Now make a funny face" isn't quite the same with face masks on.

 

 

Ha Ha Ha. The little cherub statue is still there in the same spot. It looks like it has a little more privacy now, though.

When we got home, we watched Bambi and Jeremy made us some yummy macaroni and cheese because October 17 was National Pasta Day.