Hard to keep warm

It was almost seventy degrees here yesterday. The boy wore only a t-shirt home from school. I woke up this morning and it was snowing. It didn't last for long, but it's in the low thirties out there today. This winter is giving me whiplash. Humans really failed at evolving to tolerate cold temperatures.

Today's fun fact is about my favorite animal, who also happens to be much better at adapting to the cold than we are.

I'm going to go add another layer of clothes now before I have to take the boy to school. 

Doodleless

I asked the boy this morning whether he would like a fun fact or a joke. He told me neither! He said he's tired of everyone fighting over who gets to read it first. He wanted to take a break today. He said he wants one tomorrow.

So, we're taking an unexpected hiatus today.

Rock on

Today is the 100th day of school. That went by at lightning speed. The boy decided we should do a joke today because everybody likes the jokes. Isn't he a considerate darling?

Since he's supposed to be rocking, I guess I should have drawn an electric guitar. Just pretend it's the most rockin' acoustic song you've ever heard.

Enjoy your Tuesday, folks!

Just the Facts

I'm sure you've noticed that it's been mostly fun facts for the past week. The boy really likes them. He's been asking for them instead of jokes. I've tried to sneak a few jokes in, but he always asks for a fun fact the next day.

It should come as no surprise that today's doodle is a fun fact. I think it's a pretty weird one.

The fact is slightly incorrect as the hippos don't have to be upset and it's not technically sweat. However, I left it the way it is to keep it simple for the boy. 

Here's the truth, according to Scientific American:

"Hippos secrete a reddish oily fluid sometimes called "blood sweat" from special glands in their skin. But the fluid is not sweat. Unlike sweat, which some mammals (including humans) secrete onto their skin, where it evaporates and therefore cools the body, this fluid functions as a skin moisturizer, water repellent and antibiotic. It appears red when exposed to full sunlight, which led the first European discoverers in Africa to call it "blood sweat."




Another fun fact: because of this, hippo milk is also pink.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

A Day Late

I haven't missed a post in a while. I was proud of myself, thought I'd found a system that worked. Looks like I was mistaken.

Yesterday's post was another fun fact. I thought it was one that the little readers would find fascinating. It turns out I was wrong about that too. Either they didn't understand it or they thought it was a joke that wasn't funny. It crashed and burned a little. Maybe subconsciously I didn't want to post it for that reason.

Okay, campers, rise and shine

And don't forget your booties 'cuz it's cold out there today!

It's Groundhog Day! Today's doodle has absolutely nothing to do with that, but I love the movie and that quote runs through my head every year. It is chilly outside this morning, but we have yet to receive any serious snowfall this year. That hasn't stopped the runny noses from invading.

The boy has the beginnings of a nasty cough. I'm hoping we won't be breaking out the nebulizer this weekend. He has Chinese before school this morning, so it means we're pressed for time. I needed a doodle that would be quick and easy. I picked a joke because he didn't ask for a fun fact today.

Enjoy your Thursday!

That's gonna leave a mark

The boy chose to get another fun fact in his lunch today. Because he loved the cloud one so much, I decided to stick with weather. He asks me nearly every day about hail. He's very curious about how big it gets and wonders what would happen if it hailed stones as big as people.

While no hail has ever been measured that's human-sized, it does get pretty big.

I added the pineapple for scale (average 2 pounds) because I'm pretty sure 2.25 pounds will mean nothing to him otherwise. 

Happy Wednesday!