The Weekend Trip

We had a weekend trip to greater downtown Elgin Texas.

The main purpose of our visit was a repair job at the Sustainable Fibers Shop. If you ever get a hankering to spin your own alpaca yarn here is where you go. If you're not that much of a do it yourselfer you can buy your yarn already spun. George repaired their equipment so they are up and spinning again.

No trip to Elgin is complete without a stop for some good Elgin Sausage.

We did a little shopping at the flea market. George was looking to upgrade the kitchen.

The flea market is one of those places that is very cultural - if you know what I mean. Lots of things to see and smell.

Dinosaurs AGAIN!

How many times can this little boy go look at this same dinosaur bone exhibit? I'm not sure. We had to go see them again today, because after all, no school holiday is complete without a trip to the dinosaur museum. We learned today that they will close in June for 6 months of maintenance. OH NO - what will we do all summer?

We found this prehistoric exhibit in the basement of the LBJ library. It isn't REALLY part of the museum but maybe it should be. I don't think JD had ever seen a pay phone before.

Capital Field Trip

We headed out for the dinosaur museum this morning but got side tracked by a parking spot right in front of the Capital. Thanks to a Texas History unit in school JD no longer calls the building Barack Obama's Tower. I don't know if other states teach state history in Kindergarten, but here in Texas we know what is important and children are taught it young.
In the rotunda we practiced the six flags that flew over Texas.

Since I'm a Government teacher and not just a regular tourist I made JD go into the Senate chamber where we discussed how laws are made. At the podium on the floor is Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

We finished our morning with a picnic on the lawn by the LBJ library. It was a food morning for a picnic, nice and cool.

Rodeo Rumble

WARNING WARNING --- lots of pictures to follow.
Today was our favorite rodeo event - The Rodeo Rumble. JD and George lined up . . .

. . . and ran the race.

THEY WON!!! We didn't want to burst JD's 5 year old bubble when he REALLY thought he won.

The Rodeo mascot was there to greet all the winners.

You always have to ride a horse at the rodeo. JD made sure he kept one hand in the air like a real cowboy riding a bucking bronco.

The petting zoo was fun. This lama got a little friendly with me. I guess I was the only tall person with food. JD had his food cup stolen by a deer. Notice the deer has it on his nose trying to get every last drop.

The lama got a little out of control. I almost lost my hat.

JD got up close and personal with a longhorn.

After all that action a corn dog was just want the doctor ordered. OK - maybe not the doctor since it was fried in artery clogging grease. It was tasty.

JD had to test drive a couple ATVs.

We couldn't go past the jumping station without giving it a try. When the lady running it asked him if he wanted to go higher he squealed in delight and said YES! It would have made me throw up, but he loved it.

My parents would have never spent money on carnival rides, but I just couldn't help it. JD wanted to ride the carousel. . .

. . . and the motorcycles. . .

. . . and the helicopter . . .

. . . and the caveman train.

Our last stop was the Dell tent. JD watched a cartoon in 3-D. What a funky city we live in. You can buy a computer and a John Deere tractor at the same event.

Kindergarten Rodeo

Today was Kindergarten rodeo.
All the little buckaroos gathered at morning assembly to learn about how the tradition of rodeos began.

Everyone had a "horse" that they corralled as they rode from station to station. JD's horse was actually a bull. Anyone can ride a horse but it takes a real man to ride a bull.

JD's class listened to instructions and learned that the bollo tie is the official tie of Texas.

He wore his new tie with pride.

The next station was the chuck wagon. JD was served beans and cornbread which he said weren't NEARLY as good as the beans I make. What a boy!!

After the chuck wagon station my time slot as a volunteer was up. I looked at my watch and realized school had just BARELY started at Bowie. I had a sub for my first and second periods but I was ready to head back to high school. Five year olds are EXHAUSTING in comparison to my Seniors. Once again - I don't know how kindergarten teachers do this all day every day.

JDisms

JD and George participated in the ward kite flying contest/party. It really was a lot of fun and almost TOO windy.

Yesterday JD informed me that we needed to go home and eat a lot because today was "Fat Patrick's Day." HA HA HA HA HA I guess he was SORT of paying attention in school and combined Fat Tuesday with St. Patrick's Day.