Welcome Back

I'm sorry my lovely friends. The ducks have been so busy with work they couldn't check in!

First term was crazy; we read the Giver and learned all about being a new teacher. Now we have moved into second term. 

We don't have a prep so it's always go go go! Plus we are reading three different books! 

Everyone's favorite book is Fablehaven, but they are all pretty good. The ducks are also busy getting ready for all things fall. 

Especially Halloween!

Also, a ferocious beast has moved into the apartment.

 He goes by the name of Gadget, and has quite a temper with the duckies. They have been forced out of their home.

However, the beast did feel a little temporary remorse. 

And now the duckies are taking refuge in other places. From a nail polish box,

to the big desk at work,

to my dinner plate. 

That's all that we have been up to! Hope you are having a lovely fall season and a great school year. See you soon beautiful readers. 

Movie Night

We went to see Maleficent, so we brought back some goodies for the ducks.



Coca-Cola for Clyde here. He can't get enough of that stuff.




The rest of the duckies will have to share this big thing of popcorn. Something tells me they don't mind.

Ice Bucket Challenge

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been extended to Maurice's Ducks on Instagram. They of course, accepted and challenged other ducks on Instagram as well.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the ALS Foundation and how they choose to spend the money raised. I don't really understand it, and the rubber ducks are divided on the issue. For that reason, they have decided to donate to the local ALS charity right here in Utah.

Now the ducks are extending the challenge to YOU. Ice yourself, donate to your charity of choice. Don't ice yourself, donate to some kind of ALS charity. Even if you donate your time to help people with ALS! Good luck!

New Family Members

The Maurice Ducks have gained some awesome new brothers and sisters from a close friend.



Here are the literary rubber ducks. Always studying, these are the ducks to go to with a question or a problem.



These space rubber ducks are filled with knowledge about the earth and beyond. Hit them up for a rocketship ride!




Dessert rubber ducks love whipping up a sweet treat for any occasion. Their specialties are cupcakes and donuts.



Known as the Dynamic Duo, these villainous ducks love creating mischief and mayhem with their sidekick. Steer clear from them unless you are hoping for a visit to the rubber duck jail.

Meet Marco

The rubber ducks are traveling in style in their new car. Say hello to Marco, the brand new duck adventure mobile.



Here it is taking them to see the beautiful mountains in Logan Canyon. The colors are starting to change!

Busy Little Ducks

All of the duckies here feel so bad! They have been very busy this week getting ready for the school year.

Everything from lesson planning,



to decorating;



from technology issues,



to minor construction work.



But it's the weekend and the ducks are finally ready to kick back and relax! And maybe have a treat.




Happy Friday from all of Maurice's Ducks!

Who Knew?

Today I learned that rubber ducks and Spartans are the very best of friends. So much so, in fact, that Master Chief has a rubber duck of his own. Occasionally he will ride it into battle.

MONUMENTOR

This little duck went to FALL OUT BOY AND PARAMORE tonight. And now he's exhausted. Goodnight!

Brand New Start

Today was the first day of the school year.




Safari Scott was ready to rumble! This bag is packed with pens, notebooks, a planner, and treats! And of course water is the most important thing to fuel a day with.




Scotti also got some great tips on classroom management. Hopefully they are effective!

Dessert

Emery loves dessert! Cupcakes are her favorite of course, but sometimes she goes for classy and covers fruit in chocolate. What's your favorite dessert?

Self Portrait

The ducks are sprucing up their home.

A Mystery Solved

Sherlock and Dr. O.J. Patterson came to a conclusion about Betty's murder a few days ago, but they were so shocked with the results they had to test and retest before an announcement could be made. Finally, when they had undeniable, irrefutable evidence, Sherlock called everyone together for a meeting.

The ducks have gathered for an important meeting. 

The doctor and detective duo began to explain the mystery to all.

Betty went out with her friends Billy, Jack, Frenchy, Martha and Frank. Soon after arriving at the party, Billy had to leave. Martha and Frank were busy being a couple, so Betty, Jack, and Frenchy spent a lot of the night together. They did some dancing and had some refreshments. Martha and Frank joined them for a bit, then the group split up. Frenchy and Betty were going to have a sleep over, they couldn't stop talking about it.

This is where things got a little muggy for Sherlock. Since Frenchy refused to cooperate, the detective had to piece together everything. From what he could gather, Frenchy and Betty left the party and headed into town in search of a little more fun before hitting the hay. While walking around, the girls apparently ran into some "unfriendlies", and Frenchy took off. Betty either didn't follow or was too slow, because Frenchy didn't see her again. 

Martha was so upset, because she feels had she spent the night with Frenchy and Betty, the ladies would not have ran into trouble. She essentially blamed herself and would not be convinced otherwise. Which is why she was PISSED when Sherlock announced that Betty was, in fact, quite alive.

Here she is, alive and well.

Yes, you read that right. Here she is, alive and well. Now you must be wondering how on earth Dr. Patterson examined a dead body if there was none? Well, in the world of ducks, rubber ducks get along with zombie ducks (also known as dead ducks and devil ducks) in a tentative friendship. But occasionally, zombie ducks like to play a "prank" on rubber ducks. These pranks are designed more to remind everyone that zombie ducks are still around and less to be funny.

For this particular "prank" the zombie ducks approached Betty and Frenchy, and Betty eagerly agreed to be part of their little plan. She gave the zombie ducks all of her identifying information. Since rubber ducks do not have DNA, all  they had to identify Betty was her stuff. They just had to give it to one of their ducks, and place them where Betty was last seen. To make sure the zombie replacement stayed "dead", she took a heavy duty sleeping medication that lasted for several days.

Sherlock and Dr. Patterson questioning the zombie duck.

The zombies did not account for Dr. Patterson's excellent knowledge of the rubber duck body. He soon realized that he was not looking at a rubber duck, but a zombie duck. When Sherlock couldn't get any answers from Frenchy, he assumed something was up. Since they are notorious for their little reminders, Sherlock assumed zombies were involved.  He told Dr. Patterson who used an anti sleep serum to wake up the zombie and get some answers. 

Chaos and outrage after the announcement.

Many of the rubber ducks are outraged with Betty. How could she do this to them? However, most are relieved that there is not a murderer among them. Betty mean while feels awful for the trouble she called and is on probation until further notice. Since zombie ducks are technically their own community, all Sherlock could do was to ask them to please play less traumatizing pranks.

A Distraction

The duckies are all debating over what happened to their friend. Tomorrow will be the memorial service for dear Betty, and hopefully the reveal of what happened. Sherlock and Dr. Patterson have been conferring and seem to have come to a conclusion and finished the investigation.

In the mean time, the ducks went out to visit Pet Smart today. They found one of their friends has found a home amongst slightly furrier companions.



Doesn't he look regal?

Dr. Patterson

Dr. Patterson is on the case! He has been reviewing Betty's body looking for clues. He has found some very strange findings! Tomorrow the doctor will confer with Sherlock. Soon enough they will blow this case wide open.

The Investigation Continues

With no new leads, Sherlock decided to interview all of Betty's friends who were with her Sunday night.




First he talked to Billy. Unfortunately, Billy had been called away soon after the party started, so he didn't know much. He told Sherlock to talk to Jack.



Jack was very cooperative, talking Sherlock through the entire night. Betty spent most of the night with Frenchy, and when everyone left, Betty left with her.




Frenchy wouldn't say anything. Sherlock told her silence looked suspicious but Frenchy is keeping her mouth locked up tight! Since there is no evidence, Sherlock had to let her go.



Finally Sherlock tried to talk to Martha. Poor Martha is still so upset, though. She couldn't make a coherent sentence, so her boyfriend Frank had to be explain for her.

After interrogating everyone he could think of, Sherlock is finally feeling like he might have a break in the case! It should be wrapped up soon.

Dismal Day

The weather outside perfectly reflects the feelings of all the ducks who are missing their friend, Betty.



Normally Martha loves rainy days, so she thought a walk might cheer her up. It didn't. Martha and Betty used to play in the rain together. Especially in the summer time, when it was warm enough to spend hours slashing around.

There hasn't been any news on Betty's murder, and none of the ducks know what to expect. Here's hoping something comes to light soon!

Tragedy

Today is a tragic day for the Maurice Rubber Duck Clan. A disaster has struck. You may remember Betty from the challenge. She was the original smallest duck, until my grandma gave me another one the last day of the challenge.



Last night, Bitty... I mean Betty went out to a party with her friends. However, when all the rubber ducks awoke this morning, Betty was no where to be found. A search party soon found a gruesome sight, and Sherlock was immediately called to the screen.



After a tireless investigation, Sherlock still has no leads! He has sent all evidence to Dr. O.J. Patterson for analyzing. Some curious things were left behind, but none of it seems to be connected yet.



Its not much to go on, but if anyone can solve this case its Sherlock and the doctor! In the meantime these poor duckies have been encouraged to live life like normal.

As the details become clearer, we'll let you know.

Even Pirates Need Friends

Peter made a new friend today! Everyone need Ollie the Octopus. These two bonded over their love of all things in the ocean.

How to Make a Delicious Dinner

Featuring Frenchy, the Pink Ducky.

First, choose your ingredients and prepare them for cooking. Frenchy choose chicken and potatoes. Here she is searching for ingredients!



Excuse the messy fridge. That's the hazard of living with three men!



She defrosted the chicken and diced the potatoes. Then placed the chicken in the frying pan and the potatoes in a baking dish.



Next, season like crazy. Or at least until it looks good. For the potatoes, Frenchy added red pepper, parsley flakes, onions, and a little bit of garlic. On the chicken she used chicken base, onion powder, and garlic salt.



Once you begin cooking, be sure to check your food frequently for doneness!
*Note: Its only acceptable to eat off cooking utensils if you are cooking for yourself! And never okay to eat raw meat!



The chicken is done when the outside looks white, and you can cut through the biggest piece and find no pink. Be sure to taste for flavor, Frenchy needed more!



Put your food on a plate and top it off with a nice salad and a cold glass of water. Everything tastes better when you eat like a civilized person!



Finally, don't forget to have some desert!