Year: 2016

We went to Pinellas Park for a trip to the Working Cow Ice Cream manufacturing plant. I was shocked by how small the facility was given how much ice cream they produce. It was a tiny building tucked off of US 19.

We had a tiny group of 8 people on the tour. We got to see where they store the ice cream they have made in the giant freezer. It was SUPER cold.

The next part of the tour required us wearing hairnets if we didn’t have a hoodie. Mom and I were the only ones who had to wear hairnets. I was NOT happy about that.

We got to see them making the ice cream. We weren’t allowed to close so we didn’t contaminate the ice cream.

These were the old machines that they used. They now have a much bigger machine that pumps the ingredients straight from the containers.

We learned that they recycle their containers by scraping off the labels and  sanitizing them.

We saw all the coloring and flavors that they add to the product. Mom was sad that for such a small facility that they use so many pre-made products to make their ice cream.

We got to sample fresh made butter pecan ice cream. I really liked it, considering I hate butter pecan. Well, I still really dislike ice cream in general!

We attended a class on Rocks and Gems at the Science Center of St. Petersburg. It was a drop off, no adults class. Mom snuck in part way through when she poked her head in and I was upset. I was having a hard time with come of the information the instructor was saying. I was convinced she was incorrect and very frustrated.

I mellowed out once Mom came in and discussed things with me.

We had to check for different properties of rocks. We learned bout erosion and weathering.

I had a few other questions about the material but Mom walked me through the correct information.

I had fun working on weathering some sugar cubes by shaking the container.

We also had a little lab on rock ID.

It was a fun class but there were some mistakes in the information they were teaching. But it was inexpensive and Mom was there to help guide us through the wrong parts. After the class we watched a show in the planetarium that was make in 2003! Just a little outdated!

This week I turned eight. It wasn’t so bad after all. I celebrated throughout the entire week. Grandma Susie dropped by and brought me a really cool Kylo Ren Star Wars shirt.

I was SO excited. He is my favorite character from the new Star Wars movie.

When Dad was in Ohio we had a little friends party at the park by the house. We decorated in a Star Wars theme. I didn’t want cake, as usual, so we had cookies.

Grandma Susie was silly and tried to pogo stick!

My “I am 8” sarcastic eye-roll.

 

I was so excited that so many friends could come to my last minute party.

Grandma Jo and Grandpa Howie came over for my evening-before-my-birthday party. We opened family gifts and sang Happy Birthday.

I got a really new Kylo Ren mask that I refuse to take off.

Daddy made a chocolate dragon cake. The dragon was guarding the gold coins. We didn’t have a candle so we used a giant match!

Last evening as a seven year old.

On my actual birthday we went to Legoland. The place was fairly empty and we got to ride all the rides we wanted. I willingly went on a roller coaster.

Here is my official “I am eight” photo.

We had a great time at Legoland and not have passes to go back all year.

I guess eight won’t be that bad, at least not yet!

 

 

 

 

 

Turning 7 has me nervous about new responsibilities and school getting harder. Mom said it will feel no different than being 7 but I am not sure on that! Math certainly is getting harder.

We have been hanging out at the car dealership trying to get the Jeep fixed this week. Their lobby has become our classroom. We had to get up super early and I was exhausted.

I fell asleep mid-math question.

Dad is in Ohio for work and we decided it was cool enough outside for a campfire. We tried to make some snacks but they turned out terrible. Instead we just sat around and listened to more of the audio book for 20000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.

The bottoms of the foil packs had chocolate chips and they burned instead of melted.

Back at the car dealership for another day. We ended up being set out on a rental car.

We made a fun stop at Art from the Heart Pottery in Dunedin. We had a great time paining with friends. Grandma Susie even came to watch us paint!

I picked a rabbit and a tile to make it look like a grassy yard.

My buddy Curtis painted a cat.

My attention to detail is always improving. My bunny had to be “just right”.

I used every brush on the table and lots of different colors.

Final products!

With nearly 8 weeks off and a insanely busy last few months we all looked forward to school starting back up. I will admit I wasn’t too excited but I tried my best and stuck with the first week back. Mom made sure there was still plenty of fun going on to balance the school.

We set up “Ultimate Hopscotch” in the driveway and sidewalk. We had friends over to play and hop around on the challenging 100+ square course full of touches, fire, lava and bends.

I am excited to be done with the elementary series of my math program. I am starting fractions now and giving Mom way less trouble about actually writing out my math problems. I still do it all in my head but I am starting to see why I should write it out. But I will give Mom grief just because so she doesn’t think there is something wrong with me! I am still stubborn and emotional and not afraid to share that with mom and dad every minute of the day!

 

I am goofy too! Yes, that is still Night-Night. She is still hanging around me all the time at home. She doesn’t go out much, unless we travel.

I had scrambled eggs this week and LIKED THEM, sort of, kind of, maybe. Maybe it was a new ketchup delivery system? FYI, B made the eggs for me!