Monthly Archives: December 2010
Texas Forestry Museum
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Texas Forestry Museum
December 26, 2010
We were on a mission to get a field guide about Texas trees and there was only one place I figured had one, The Forestry Museum. We have visited this museum on a couple of occasions before but they have some exhibits that rotate out. We figured while we were there getting the book we would give it a quick run through.
The kids get all excited about playing with Lincoln logs even though they have dozens at home. The museum did have a couple pieces that they didn’t have so they start telling me how they need this part and that part for their own collection.
They have some interactive things that intrigue the children’s minds into further investigation. Many hinged information plaques hang in various stations so the kids can read what the forestry is all about.
A Gingy House and Cookies
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A Gingy House and Cookies
December 25, 2010
The weather was not good for hiking like I had hoped. All the stores shut down for Christmas so we could not even go shopping on a rainy day. It was a perfect setting to spend some quality time with the kiddos.
Stewart took on the Gingerbread house decorating with the kids. Each claimed a side to decorate.
Fondue, icing, and candies, all became construction material. It took a little patience to get the icing “glue” to hold everything on.
Adam, using his excellent imagination, made a gumdrop Toadstool for the side of the house. He was very excited and proud of himself at how it turned out. Can you tell we enjoy nature?
Austin had the front, Anna-the red roof side, Adam-the yellow roof side, and Stewart-the backside. I think for our first ever gingerbread house it turned out very nice!
Next, we tackled the cookies we made last night. It warms my heart to see my kids enjoying themselves. Smiles all around was a good sign. We joked and laughed and had so much fun decorating cookies.
Adam was working hard, you can tell by the tongue peeking out just a little bit. The one thing I have to warn people that may eat these cookies, there was a lot of finger licking going on.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to slow down today and stay home and just be with our family enjoying the simple things in life.
~Becky~
© Becky Husband & Oh Happy Daze & Disclaimers
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Beech Woods Ticks
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Beech Woods Ticks
December 20, 2010
We left the Sundew Trail disappointed so we headed to another trail, Beech Wood Trail. When we pulled up, it looked rough, like the trail time forgot. It was littered with pine straw and leaves, limbs and sticks. The sign to the trail had a “No Alcohol” sign on it. I thought, ”hmm, that is a first.” I have never saw a sign saying that before on a hiking trail, must have been a problem for the area. I didn’t really feel comfortable going hiking, guess I will learn to listen to my gut feeling. We had to walk .3 of a mile along a gated dirt road to get to the actual trail. The highlight along this road was we saw a possum scamper off into the bushes. We looked for him but he stayed hid from us.
Adam had to crawl on the gate to the road and climb a tree by the sign. I swear this child is part monkey. We walked to the trail and officially started our hike.
Sundew Trail
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Sundew Trail
December 20, 2010
It was a nice warm day to go traipsing around in the woods. We looked at the trails in the Big Thicket and this one we had not been on and was still open during hunting season, so we said, “Why Not.” My favorite trails are ones by the lakes, but this will have to do. It seems there is always more to see by the lake, I suppose because animals go to the water.
On the way there, I tell them about something I read on a website that said because of the influx of hogs in the area, mountain lions are also making a comeback.
CONTINUE READING…
Sam Rayburn Dam
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Sam Rayburn Dam
December 15, 2010
After Stewart came home from work, we decided to go for a walk. I was sick of being inside and needed some nature therapy. Not having much time to go very far, we ended up going to the Sam Rayburn Dam, which was formerly McGee Bend Dam. My maiden name is McGee, so, of course, I thought that was neat to find out.
Now the first thing I noticed when we arrived was the lovely little sign that tells me the surface was hazardous for walking. Did that warning stop us? No! Warning signs are for sissies.
Of course, looking out over the water was not good enough for my bunch, they wanted to be next to the water. There were even signs that warned the water may rise suddenly, but onward we voyaged.
My kids eagerly awaited a sudden rise in water, constantly asking me, “when will the water rise, and if it rises where will we go?” My answer was simply, “Up!” It took us some fancy footwork to get down to the water level. Austin, being a wonderful son as always, was right there to help steady mom on the descent. So clinging to each other and a handy tree or two we managed to get down the cliff without any causalities.
The banks were very rocky and Adam loved chunking the rocks into the water to make a big splash. While he was climbing up and around the rocky ledges he found a couple feathers. With feathers in hand, he flapped his “wings” and said, “I believe I can fly!” I correct him, “I believe you will fall! Please be careful.”
A stage was imagined from the smooth ledge they scaled and Adam did a little dance resembling “The Twist” then Anna did her supermodel strut across it. Up, around, over, and through the kids climbed all over GOD’s natural playground. Once again asking if the dam will open so the water will rise. Adam goes into a dramatic “slow motion” run pretending to escape an impending flood. I tell them again, I do not think the dam will open up.
We find so much peace and joy when we hike, truly some of our happiest moments. I have to say that the scenery was so beautiful on the far side of the water. The orange and yellow leaves of fall hanging on to their color made a lovely setting for the picture.
A lone bird sat atop a fallen tree as the sun was getting low it looked very surreal and majestic.
We carefully ascended the rocky banks and left that side of the dam to drive over to the other side where the small park area was.
We walked through the pines that were standing on the point by the lake side of the dam. It was quite windy. Anna and Adam found a bird nest that must have been blown out of a pine tree.
Adam loved the big pine cones that littered the ground.
Anna said,”This is like “Little House on the Prairie grass!” Apparently the tall grass reminded her of the Little House on the Prairie books, she loves that time period. Adam liked to roll around in the grasses too, the wind whipped through his frazzled hair.
Stewart and I stayed on the hilltop while the kids walked down to the lake shore. The hill was more than I felt like tackling after the rocks we climbed on the other side.
The hill was perfect for rolling down. I told Adam he might not want to try it in somersault form. I told them to lay on their sides and roll down it. I remember as a child rolling down the side of an old sawdust pile that was left from a saw mill that was behind our house. Rolling down this hill was not nearly as dirty. I found it funny that my kids had never rolled down a hill before but they seemed to really enjoy it because the did it over and over. They would get going to fast and have to stop themselves.
They tried roll racing down the hill. Anna had a head start so Adam just rolled up the hill while she rolled all the way down. Adam got to the top before she got to the bottom and declares, “I win!” Anna disagrees with him. Adam says, ‘Yeah I did, you didn’t say which way we were rolling.”
Anna used her overshirt as a “hang glider” and run down the hill with it flapping behind her. She did not want to share her fun with her little brother so they decided to foot race. She told him, “ If I get there first, I win, and if you lose, that’s ok too!” I laughed and laughed at that. I said, “Sweety, that is a little one sided isn’t it?”
Wearing down, we sat on the bench at the top of the hill. The littler kids crawled around on the concrete beams and lounged in the “V”. Adam suspended himself between the two beams and declared, “I am a bridge!”
As carefree and active as my children are, I know GOD must have HIS hand on them protecting them and keeping them safe. Thank you, LORD, for being our protector.
~Becky~
© Becky Husband & Oh Happy Daze & Disclaimers
Affiliate Links: Thank you for supporting my blog by purchasing through these links.
Christianbook.com carries a wide variety of Christian, Hebrew Roots, & Messianic products along with an abundant amount of homeschool curriculum, inspirational books, movies, music, gifts and more!!
Looking for great essential oils at affordable prices?? Check out Spark Naturals!! Be sure to save your 10% by using coupon code: HAPPYDAZE
Find pretty much anything you need at Amazon.com
Ads that are displayed below this point are NOT my ads but those of WordPress.com and are not necessarily approved or supported by Becky Husband or Oh Happy Daze. If you saw an inappropriate ad, please report it!