Science Fair...

On Nov. 8th, Regan's 5th grade had their Science Fair.  Regan worked very hard on this project and seemed to really enjoy it.  

 Regan with her friend, Hannah, at the Science Fair.

 Here is Regan's project, "Is It Mint To Be Hot?"  She was testing the question, "What effect does chewing different mint flavored gums have on the temperature of a person's mouth?"  She found out that the temperature does go up with chewing mint gum about 1-2 degrees but your mouth temperature also goes up with just chewing.  She was not able to determine if the gum flavor, the chewing action, or both were causing the rise in temperature.  She learned if she did the experiment over she would need to try some different approaches to get more accurate results.  Good job Regan! 

 Regan found out that sweet mint gum raises the temperature a little bit more than peppermint and cinnamint gums.  I would have definitely thought cinnamint would be the hottest.  Thanks to all the family members who helped Regan with her experiment. 

The Art Museum...

On Nov. 4th, Regan's 5th grade went to the art museum. Tony chaperoned so we have a few photos.

 Regan and her friend, Hannah, trying to warm their hands up over a light.  The museum was not open yet and it was cold and rainy outside so the kids were trying their best to stay warm.

 Regan sketching a vase.

Celebrating 102 years....

According to Reece I turned 102 years old on Nov. 1st!  On my birthday she got into the car on the way home from school all excited.  She said that she and her friend, Annabeth, had a surprise for me.  They made instruments in school (a drum and a flute) and wanted to sing to me.  So, they began to "play" their instruments and sang to me.  This is the song they sang...

"Happy Birthday to you, you are one hundred and two."

What???  They started laughing hysterically.  I am glad someone thought it was funny.  Later, when I told Riley what Reece sang to me she made a different version that I liked much better.  It went like this...

"Happy Birthday to you, I luuooove you,
 If you weren't alive, I would not survive."

Sweet Riley!!!!  I can always count on her to brighten my day!  I did have a wonderful day.  The girls made me cards and lavished me with hugs and kisses, Tony took me out to lunch to get wings and then I had to work that night and my co-worker, Ms. Patsy, spoiled me with gifts and cards.  She had the kid's night kids make me a huge card and most of them signed it.  I also got lots of hugs from my kid's night kids.  It was a special night.  When I came home Tony and the girls surprised me with a cookie cake.  It was a great night.  I am blessed with such a wonderful family! 

 This is the neat candy bouquet Ms. Patsy made me.

   Tony's present to me was an upgraded phone, iPhone 4s, I am having a blast with it.  When Regan found out I was getting a phone you can talk to she replied, "great, now you won't have to talk to yourself anymore."  Riley then asked "does it have Angry Birds and Skype?"  I replied, "yes" and they all cheered.  Riley asked, "Can I skype Chaz (her dog friend) in Africa?"

Halloween 2011...

On Monday, Oct. 31st Reece had her Halloween Parade at school.  Mama Cook and Papa Doug were able to come and see it before heading back home.  Reece dressed up as "Super Girl" this year.  On Halloween night, we went over to our neighbors' house, Joyce and Tony, for their traditional Chili dinner.  We then enjoyed trick-or-treating with our friends, The Merrills and The Williams.    

 Super Girl

 Reece's Halloween Parade at school.

 Reece's Kindergarten class all dressed up.

 Reece enjoying dinner with her friend, Carly.

 Regan with her friend, Avery.

 All the kids at the Halloween Chili dinner.

Reece with her friends, Carly and Becca.

 All the adults...

 The girls trick-or-treating...

 In the past, the girls' costumes always seemed to have the same theme but the last couple of years they have not.  I told this to Regan this year and her reply was, "Our costumes have a connection this year... Riley "the dinosaur" is going to attack Reece "the Super Girl" and Reece "the Super Girl" will have to be taken to the hospital to see Dr. Regan in the E.R."  Good imagination Dr. Regan!

 Avery and Riley running from house to house.  These girls ran all night and the rest of us had a hard time keeping up with them. 

 Dr. Regan running for more candy OR did she just get a call from the E.R.?

 Reece with her friends, Beth and Amy.

The girls with their friends, Calla and Annabeth.

Here are our pumpkins this year.  We did not carve any this year and decided to get one family pumpkin instead of 5.  Reece got her own pumpkin because her class went to a local pumpkin patch and then they decorated them. 

Race Weekend...

On the weekend of Oct. 28 - 30, Mama Cook and Papa Doug came back up for another race weekend. This weekend all the Fernandez men went to watch a Nascar race up in Martinsville. Friday, everyone came over to our house for dinner and then Regan made us all subjects in her Science Fair Experiment. Saturday, we were supposed to have a full day of soccer, softball and running but all the games got rained out except Regan's race. We went out to eat for lunch and then headed over to Abby's to see some renovating she had done. Mama Cook and Tony went to watch Regan's race on Saturday night. Regan did a great job and knocked 3 minutes off her previous 4K time. On Sunday, the men went to the race and the girls hung out at my house after church.

 Papa Doug reading the "Cars" book to Josh, one of his favorites.

 Now, he has Mama Cook reading him the "Cars" book.  Love that smile!

 Riley helping Lizzie play the game, "Memory."

 Josh and Regan are good pals.  Josh is always asking Regan to play with him.

 Daddy is so thrilled to take place in Regan's Science Fair Experiment. 

 Tony and I were in the control group where we had to chew without anything in our mouths.  He was not cooperating so I am giving him looks. 

 Now, Tony is trying to make me laugh.  Poor Regan, she had a bunch of uncooperative subjects.  One of daddy's biggest pet peeves is listening to people chew so he really was not liking her topic.  Regan was testing "What effect does chewing different flavors of mint gum have on a person's mouth temperature?"

 Now it is Regan's turn to do the experiment.

 Aunt Abby's turn...

 I love this photo!  I think they are having a starring contest while Aunt Abby is waiting on her thermometer to beep.

Regan and Mama Cook

Uncle Joe

 Mommy helping Regan get her race number pinned on.

 All ready for her race...

 Getting some last minute pointers from Daddy.

 And she is off...

 Regan is doing well and nearing the finish line.

Regan's coach stuck with her the whole time and encouraged her.  We love Coach Meredith! 

Regan ran the race in 24:13 and knocked 3 minutes off her previous time.  Her first 4K was near the beginning of the running season so she has improved a lot in the last few months.   

 Riley and Reece helping Mama Cook shell pecans.  It looks like Mama Cook and Reece are arm wrestling.

 Reece and Riley cleaning up their mess.  We had pecan shells everywhere.

 The finished product...

 The kids enjoying Sunday night popcorn and a movie, Winnie the Pooh.

 My niece, Lizzie, is afraid of the book "Going On A Bear Hunt."  They sing the song in school and it scares Lizzie.  So, we are trying to convince Lizzie that it is a fun book.  I told Lizzie that Regan used to love this book and even had a "Bear Hunt" birthday party when she was four.  Lizzie was interested in the fact that her cousin liked this book at her age and that we owned the book.  So, I read the book to Lizzie and then let her take it home with her.  Hopefully it helped her and did not cause nightmares!