Tex Goes Wild at Crocodile Encounter

On February 6, 2016 Tex went with Mr. and Mrs. Normann-Petersen to visit Houston’s only reptile zoo, the Crocodile Encounter.  Tex, Mr. and Mrs. Normann-Petersen had adventure learning about alligators, crocodiles, and capybara, and celebrating their nephew, Connor’s Birthday.  Tex and Mrs. Normann-Petersen answered together the following questions:

1.  Where is Tex?  Tex is on an adventure with Mr. and Mrs. Normann-Petersen learning about alligators, crocodiles, and capybaras at the Crocodile Encounter. 

2. What is the geography like there? Crocodile Encounter is located in Angleton, TX which is a city and the county seat of Brazoria County.  Brazoria County lies in the southeastern part of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico and is within the Woodlands, Houston, and Sugar Land metropolitan area.  Angleton is located at the intersection of State Highway 288, State Highway 25, and the Union Pacific Railroad.

3. What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?  Our tour guide told us that visitors should not eat food during the tour of Crocodile Encounter because you will be too busy learning about the reptiles.  But the tour guide did share with Tex and the other visitors that after they were finished then could enjoy cake with the Birthday Boy!  Alligators and crocodiles are carnivores and they typically will eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans, worms, alligator gar, turtles, and various mammals, particularly nutria and muskrat, as well as birds, buffalo, wild boar, deer, and other reptiles.  The pigs are omnivores like people, but the  pigs eat bugs, vegetables, and fruit.  The tortoises eat a wide variety of plants including vegetables, flowers, berries, and grasses.

When Tex asked the tour guide what did the alligators and crocodiles eat at the Crocodile Encounter.  The tour guide said that they eat mainly raw chicken parts.

4. What types of jobs are there?  At the Crocodile Encounter the types of jobs are the owner, the tour guides, and the zoo-keepers who take care of the animals and reptiles that live there.

5. What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends?  The people that work at Crocodile Encounter and the visitors who come to learn about the reptiles enjoy participating in all types of sports from swimming to basketball, soccer, and football.  They also enjoy rooting the hometown favorites: the Houston Astros, and the Sugar Land Skeeters, the Houston Rockets, the Houston Texans, and the Houston Dynamo.

6. Where are you going next Tex? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Tex’s clue is at the end of this post.

7. Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or landmarks?  Please see the pictures below of Tex at the Crocodile Encounter.

Here is Tex at the start of the tour at Crocodile Encounter.

Here is Tex with the tortoises.

Here is Tex with the Farm Pigs and the Potbelly Pigs.  Tex liked the Potbelly Pigs the best!

After Tex watched the pigs he got see some elliptical waterbucks, which are mammals that are related to the deer.

Finally after the tortoises, the pigs, and the elliptical waterbucks, Tex and the other guests on the tour got to meet the Alligators and Crocodiles.  Here are a few pictures.  The first four pictures are of Sultan, an alligator.  The last pictures of a Nile Crocodile. 

The Nile Crocodile

After the tour everyone enjoyed cake and wished Connor a Happy Birthday and took pictures with each other.  Here is Connor and Riley with Mr. and Mrs. Normann-Petersen and Tex. 

 For more information on the Crocodile Encounter please contact the staff at the information below:

Crocodile Encounter

23231 CR 48

Angleton, TX  77515

281-595-2232

crocodileencounter@gmail.com

http://www.thecrocodileexperience.com/

Tex's clue for the next stop: Tex attends a celebration at St. Thomas More Parish School that always takes place the day before Ash Wednesday.  This celebration is usually includes parades, fun music, masks, and a yummy a dessert.  Can you guess where Tex went on this next visit?  

Tex Goes to the Dentist and to the Veterinarian

On February 2, 2016 Tex went to get his annual exam at the Dentist and at the Veterinarian.  Tex and Mrs. Normann-Petersen answered together the following questions:

1.  Where is Tex?  Tex is having his annual exams at Dentist Carmen Kamas and Veterinarian Zachary Clark’s office. 

2. What is the geography like there? Fort Bend County lies in the southeastern part of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico.  There are 17 cities that lie in Fort Bend County.

3. What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?  Dr. Kamas told us that no food is eaten at the dentist office because patients are getting their annual teeth exams or getting their teeth repaired.  But Dr. Kamas did share with Tex that her favorite food is any type of cupcakes.   Dr. Kamas reminded us that you should always brush your teeth twice a day.

When Tex asked Dr. Clark what his favorite food was, Dr. Clark replied with “unfortunately for Tex it is steaks!”  Mrs.  Normann-Petersen then wanted to know what kind of food longhorns eat.  Dr. Clark said that Longhorns and cows eat mainly grain, grass, and hay.

4. What types of jobs are there?  At the Dentist office there is the receptionist, dental hygienist who is similar to the assistant, and then of course the dentist.  The Veterinarian office has many of the same jobs as the Dentist office.  There is a receptionist, veterinarian technician who is an assistant to the Veterinarian and then of course the Veterinarian.

5. What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends?  Dentist Kamas enjoys many sports, but hiking mountains is her favorite.  Though Dr. Clark enjoys many sports, his favorite is Aggie Football!!!

6. Where are you going next Tex? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Tex’s clue is at the end of this post.

7. Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or landmarks?  Please see the pictures below of Tex at Dentist Kamas Office and Dr. Clark’s Office.

Here is Tex having his teeth examined by Dentist Kamas.  Tex’s teeth are in good shape and Dentist Kamas found no cavities.  Dentist Kamas informed us that Longhorns do not brush their teeth or floss teeth, but people need to floss once a day and brush their teeth at least twice a day.

Here is Tex waiting for Dr. Clark, the veterinarian, to do his annual checkup.

Dr. Clark listened to Tex’s heart rate.  Dr. Clark said Tex’s heart sounded good and his annual exam went well.  Tex is healthy!

After Dr. Clark Tex’s annual exam Tex needed to be weighed.  He weighed a total of 2 ½ oz.

For more information on good dental hygiene please visit the American Dental Association please visit the website below:

www.ada.org

To contact Dr. Carmen Kamas’ office to schedule an appointment please see the information below:

1123 Lehall Street

Houston, TX  77030

713-790-1314

For more information on keeping your pet healthy please visit the American Veterinary Medical Association please visit the website below:

www.avma.org

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Clark at Stafford Oaks Veterinary Clinic please see his contact information and visit his website below:

927 Dulles Avenue

Stafford, TX  77477

281-499-3538

www.staffordoaksvet.com

Tex's clue for the next stop: Tex is at Houston’s only reptile zoo where he is on an adventure looking to learn about alligators, crocodiles, and capybara. Can you guess where Tex went on this next visit?  Please email Mrs. Normann-Petersen if you think you have a guess! cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com

Tex Goes to the Library with Mrs. Normann-Petersen

Tex went with Mrs.  Normann-Petersen to the library in Sugar Land, TX to pick out books for her class.  Tex and Mrs. Normann-Petersen answered together the following questions:

1.   Where is Tex?  Tex is visiting the First Colony Branch Library located at   2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX  77479. 

 2.  What is the geography like there? Fort Bend County lies in the southeastern part of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico.  There are 17 cities that lie in Fort Bend County.


3.  What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?  No food or drinks are allowed in the library.  We do not want to damage the books.


4.  What types of jobs are there?  Not everyone who works at the library is a Librarian.  Several people are needed to help shelf the books, help you find your books and help with story time.  There are also people to answer phones and help pay the bills.  Some jobs at the library include: Librarian Assistants, Librarians, Library Managers and Library Directors. There are also volunteers that help with various jobs at the library.
 
5.  What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends? While at the library you can play a variety of computer games, build with legos on the lego table, work with puzzles, play with the Library’s puppets and put on a puppet show.
 

 6.  Where are you going next Tex? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Tex’s clue is at the end of this post.
 

7.  Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or  landmarks?  Please see the pictures below of Tex at Fort Bend County’s First Colony Branch Library.

Here is Tex helping Mrs. Normann-Petersen return the books she had borrowed.  

Here is Tex getting ready to go into the Library.

Tex enjoyed picking out many books for her students.

After picking out some books with Mrs. Normann-Petersen he got to play with the legos, the puppets, the barn animals, help work on a puzzle, and finally play a game on the computer…his favorite!

Before leaving the library Mrs. Normann-Petersen showed Tex where the high school and college students sit to do their homework and/or study for a test.

For more information on the Houston Public Library system please visit the website below:

http://www.houstonlibrary.org/home

For more information on the Fort Bend County Library system please visit the website below:

http://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/

Tex's clue for the next stop: Tex is having a toothache and needs it fixed?  He goes to see a special doctor to get his teeth checked.  Can you guess where Tex went on this next visit?  Please email Mrs. Normann-Petersen if you think you have a guess! cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com

Tex Goes to Class Picture Day

Tex attended Class Picture Day on January 13, 2016 with Mrs. Normann-Petersen and Mrs. Welch’s  3K M-F class.  Tex answered together the following questions:

1.  Where is Tex?  Tex is at St. Thomas More Parish School,  5927 Wigton Houston, TX 77096. 

2. What is the geography like there? Houston lies in the southeastern part of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico.  Houston is considered to be in the coastal prairie of Texas.

3. What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?  Mrs. Normann-Petersen and Mrs. Welch enjoy eating many foods, but some of their favorites are chili, soups, cheeseburgers, and seafood!

4. What types of jobs are there?  Teachers and students, of course!

5. What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends? The teachers and students enjoy watching the Houston Texans Football Team, Houston Astros Baseball Team, Houston Rockets Basketball Team, and the Houston Dynamo Soccer Team.  Tex also likes to watch STM’s sports teams and the cheerleaders!

6. Where are you going next Tex? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Tex’s clue is at the end of this post.

7. Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or landmarks?  Please see the pictures below of Tex at our class picture day.

Tex helped the photographer place the students and teachers on the steps to take the class picture.

Tex with Mrs. Normann-Petersen’s and Mrs. Welch’s 3K M-F making silly faces!

For more information on St. Thomas More Parish School please visit the website below:

www.stthomasmore-school.org 

Tex’s next stop is wonderful building which contains lots of books over many different topics; puzzles and puppets to play with; and computers to help you find the books and to play games on; and there are nice people that work there that will read you stories and help you find games.

Tex's Christmas Adventures

Tex’s Christmas Adventures with Ms. McDonald

During Christmas vacation Ms. McDonald agreed to take Tex, the Longhorn to her home to celebrate Christmas with her and her family.  Ms. McDonald is the third grade teacher at St. Thomas More Parish School and answered the following questions for Tex:

1.  Where is Tex?  (name of city, state, country)

Celebrating Christmas with  Ms. McDonald in  Mobile, AL; Wichita, Kansas; and then home to Houston, TX.

2.  What is the geography like there? (mountains, plains, coastal, lakes, etc.)

Mobile is overall flat however in certain areas there are a few hills. There is water surrounding much of the Mobile area due to it’s proximity to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Wichita, Kansas – Very flat land with a lot of open space. It is quite snowy this time of year (as you can see from the picture in the plane).

3.   What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?

Mobile contains a variety of food however primarily what it known for is its seafood and what some people call “Soul food” or “Country cooking” these are foods such as turnip greens, friend chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, etc. Although that is what Mobile is known for we didn’t have too much while I was there. For Christmas, we had green bean casserole, turkey, mac-n-cheese, and apple pie for dessert. All homemade! The McDonald family really enjoys a restaurant named Bangkok Thai, Ms. McDonald always tries to make a pit-stop there while she is home.

 Kansas – In Kansas they eat pretty much what Texas serves …just not as tasty…while I was there we had some delicious Italian food and Ms. McDonald enjoyed their chicken tortilla soup. 

4. What types of jobs are there? (agricultural, manufacturing, commercial, etc)

Mobile – Mobile contains jobs in all areas however what is unique about this area are the ports. Mobile is a hub for shipping. They have had ships from all over the world. Places like China, Egypt, Columbia, England, and the Dominican Republic have shipped items to Mobile for export. They are also known for their building of ships. Ms. McDonald’s friend is actually helping build a ship that the US Navy will use! It’s in the final stages of completion. He actually took it out a few weeks ago with some navy personnel to make sure everything worked correctly.

Wichita, Kansas  is proud to be known as the “Flight Capitol of the World” it earned this name because it is the location which produces the most airplanes. Pretty cool!

5.  What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends.

Mobile – all sports are a big deal but college football takes the cake. Throughout the entire year people are seen sporting their favorite teams’ flags and attire. The two biggest teams in the area are Auburn and Alabama. Ms. McDonald personally loves going to baseball games with her family, the local minor league team are the Mobile Baybears. They have had players who are now playing for the New York Yankees and the 2013 World Series (and Ms. McDonald’s favorite) Boston Red Sox! The Baybears play at the Hank Aaron Stadium, named after the famous baseball player, Hank Aaron. He is known for his breaking of Babe Ruth’s homerun record of 714 homeruns. Ms. McDonald also worked three summers at this stadium while in college.

Kansas- Ms. McDonald isn’t really sure what is the most popular sport/game officially in Kansas but what is for sure is her friend is all about college basketball. She knows everything there is to know about her KU (Kansas University) team. 

6.       Where are you going next Tex? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Tex's clue for the next stop: Tex helps Mrs. Normann-Petersen’s class make sure they look nice for a special event with a photographer.  Can you guess where Tex went on this next visit?  Please email Mrs. Normann-Petersen if you think you have a guess! cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com

7.        Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or landmarks? Please click here to see Tex’s adventures with Ms. McDonald. 

For more information on Mobile, Al please click on the links below:

http://www.cityofmobile.org/

http://www.mobile.org/

For more information on Wichita, KS please click on the links below:

http://www.wichita.gov/Pages/default.aspx

http://wichitachamber.org/

Penelope and Peter visit Rome and the Vatican

Mrs. Chica, a friend of Mrs. Normann-Petersen’s, agreed to take Penelope and Peter, the penguins, with her and her family to Rome, Italy for their Christmas vacation.  With the help of the Martinez-Chica Family, Penelope and Peter answered the following questions:

1.         Where are Penelope and Peter?  Celebrating Christmas in the Vatican and in Rome, Italy.

2.         What is the geography like there? Rome is located on the eastern banks of the Tiber River.  The Apennine Mountains are to the west of Rome and forms the backbone of peninsular Italy.  Rome is close to the Tyrrhenian Sea.  The Vatican is located on top of Vatican Hill near the Tiber River in Rome; located within a walled area of Rome; it is the smallest country in Italy; the Vatican’s boundaries were originally constructed to protect the Pope.  Pope Francis is the chief of the state and the first Argentine Pope.  When Pope Francis was elected to be the Pope he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

3.         What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?  Different types of pasta with different sauces and a lot of seafood are the most popular food eaten in Italy.  On Christmas Day the Martinez-Chica Family ate lunch with their family.  They had 10 people for the meal.  The lunch had six courses which included the following traditional food:   To start the meal they ate  different types of cheese with toasted bread; along with prunes, prosciutto bites, and chicken pâté;  the 2^nd course was capellini in a broth; the 3^rd course was lasagna al pesto;  the next course was roast beef in a veal broth with onions jam; the 4^th course included a green salad and fresh fruit; last but not least was dessert,  panforte and coffee.  Panforte is similar to a fruit cake. 

4.         What types of jobs are there? The jobs within Vatican City include mainly Catholic priests, nuns, guards, and other dignitaries.  Banking and development of tourism are the primary jobs in Rome.

5.         What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends?   Soccer, rugby, and tennis are the most popular sports in Europe!

6.         Where are you going next Penelope and Peter? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Their clue is at the end of this post.

7.         Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or landmarks?  Please see the pictures below of Penelope’s and Peter’s adventure in Rome!

                                                                                                                         

The Martinez-Chica Family left from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.  The first flight was from Houston to Amsterdam, Holland and took 10 hours long.  The second leg of the journey was 2 and half hours longs from Amsterdam, Holland to Rome.  Dr. Martinez, Gabby, and Felipe enjoying breakfast at the airport before their flight departs Houston.

The Penguins in the plane with Gabby and Felipe.

The pictures below are of the penguins in Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.  In the Basilica is a relic of Baby Jesus’ crib.

Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs. Inscribed in Italian is the following:

The Lord is great and great is His love.

December 22, 2015 Saint Peter's Square with Gabby and Felipe.  They were getting ready to pray the Angelus.  St.  Peter’s Square is the center of Vatican Center and where St. Peter’s Basilica is located.  

 Peter and Penelope helped set the table for Christmas Lunch.

The family that Peter and Penelope stayed with during Christmas vacation had a pet, cat, Groppios.  Groppios was very interested in the penguins.

The penguins went with the Martinez-Chica family to the catacombs, where early Christians were buried. 

The Copede Piazza an Arquitectonic.

The Forum Romanum was the center of life of Rome until 509 B.C.

Colosseum

The Forum Romanum was the center of life of Rome until 509 B.C.

New Year’s Eve at the Martinez-Chica’s cousin’s home.  Peter, Penelope, and the rest of the family enjoyed ringing in the New Year with fireworks on the roof top terrace.

For more information on Rome and the Vatican please visit websites below.

For Rome facts:

http://www.rome.info/facts/

The official website for Vatican City:

http://www.vatican.va/

For Vatican City facts:

http://www.rome.info/vatican/

St. Peter’s Square

http://www.rome.info/squares/st-peters-square/

Penelope and Peter’s clue for Tex’s next stop: Tex visited three states during Christmas vacation with Ms. McDonald, the third grade teacher at St. Thomas More School.  The first state is lies on the Gulf of Mexico, the second state is home to the Kansas City Chiefs football team, and the third state celebrates its independence from Mexico on March 2.    

Can you guess where Tex went on his next visit?  Please email Mrs. Normann-Petersen if you think you have a guess! 

Tex Visits Santa

Santa visits St. Thomas More School on December 2, 2015.  Santa and Tex answered together the following questions:

1.  Where is Tex?  Tex is at St. Thomas More Parish School,  5927 Wigton Houston, TX 77096.  Santa and Mrs. Claus took time out of their busy day to visit St. Thomas More Parish School.

2. What is the geography like there? Houston lies in the southeastern part of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico.  Houston is considered to be in the coastal prairie of Texas.

3. What are typical foods that are eaten there?   What type of foods do you and family and friends like to eat?  Santa enjoys cookies and milk the most.  His favorite dinner is anything that Mrs. Claus will cook for him.  The only thing he does not eat is venison. 

4. What types of jobs do the Elves and Santa have at the North Pole? Santa enjoys delivering presents to all of the boys and girls in the world.  Though he does have two favorite hobbies: playing any type of game and trying out all the new toys.  The elves make toys, care for the reindeer, wrap presents, help in the kitchen, and they all together to make the North Pole a clean and comfortable place to live.

5. What are the popular sports or games played there?  What popular sports or games interest you, your family, and your friends? The elves at the North Pole like to have snow ball fights, snow skiing, sledding, and playing hide and seek in the reindeer stable.  Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoy all of the games that every child and elf play!

6. Where are you going next Tex? Give us a hint and see if we can figure it before you get there! Tex’s clue is at the end of this post.

7. Tex, can you include any pictures of yourself and surrounding area and/or landmarks?  Please see the pictures below Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Tex.

Here are a few pictures of Tex checking out the Christmas Tree, the poinsettias, the nutcrackers, and the snowman. 

Here are two pictures of Tex with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the class. 

For more information on St. Thomas More Parish School please visit the website below:

www.stthomasmore-school.org

For more information on tracking Santa Claus, and the North Pole please visit the website below:

http://www.noradsanta.org/

http://www.northpole.com/

The Official Santa Tracker:

http://www.noradsanta.org/

Tex's clue for his next stop: Tex sends his friends, 2 penguins, to a city in Italy to celebrate Christmas.  This city is where the Pope lives.   If you think you know the answer to Tex’s clue please email Mrs. Normann-Petersen at:    cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com