Girls Night Out

Nice distraction to an otherwise dreadful time for our family. Official word next week.

origami heaven

Today was Maggie's first day of her apprenticeship with origami artist, Joan Son. It was honestly a match made in Heaven. Maggie told me afterwards, "It was so great, Mama." For as long as I remember, Maggie has enjoyed creating with paper. This experience Maggie has been given couldn't have come at a better time. I know she will cherish her Tuesdays.

Kate DiCamillo

Maggie and I went to see author Kate DiCamillo today. She had fabulous stories to tell and Maggie was able to get an autographed copy of her newest book, The Magician's Elephant!

class party

Tonight was Maggie's long awaited class party. Every class at her school has one...I'm thankful hers was more later than earlier in the year. The weather was nice and I think everyone had a great time!

Greek Festival

Today we went to Greek Festival with friends. We love to go to Greek Festival...even if we had to go in the rain! Despite the rain and REALLY frizzy hair, we had a great time watching the dancers, looking around in the Marketplace and eating all our favorite Greek foods!

No School!

Maggie and I didn't have school today...I totally needed a break! It was nice that we didn't have much planned. Maggie made a couple of batches of banana cake for her breakfasts this week and for all of her teachers! Too bad I hate bananas...it smelled great!

Sundays

Our Sundays are full of acolyting, choir, and Sunday School. I opted to be the official photographer...a way I could stay involved and NOT have to teach Sunday School! I have a good time visiting all the classes and putting them into slideshows each week.

volleyball season

Volleyball season has started with a bang...I think 6 seasons of volleyball has finally paid off! I'm thrilled that Maggie still loves playing and I see no end in sight.

birthday grams

5th graders at Maggie's school take turns delivering birthday grams each day to raise money for graduation t-shirts, graduation, a week at Camp Cullen and a fun day at Regal Ranch. I just happened to notice Maggie delivering one across the hall today!

announcements

It's that time of year again! Maggie loves to do the announcements at school! They always end with the new principal saying, "Work hard and get smart!" Maggie gets a kick out of that...she told me it wa silly...and that she is already smart! I thought that was kinda cocky...

Peace

These giant origami peace cranes are plastered all over Maggie's school. If it's up to Maggie, she will always find a way to weave origami or some kind of paper art into her life!

Maggie made this sign for her GT class to promote International Day of Peace.

Sunday School

Today was the 1st official day back to Sunday School. It's nice that Maggie has school friends also at church. She's still loving acolyting...

funny...

This was the result of parents drinking too much and not watching their children...Maggie's dragon and dagger tattoo looked especially nice in her party dress at the mother/daughter book club the next day!

Discovery Garden

Every year there are several art contests at Maggie's school. She would love to see her art featured on a t-shirt, yearbook, phone directory, etc. Mark Twain is building a beautiful outdoor classroom this year and here is her latest art entry with a picture of what the entry of the garden might look like!

volleyball

Maggie's 6th volleyball season has started...

Love Thursday

Bodie State Historic Park, California

new desk...

Well, sort of. New desk to Maggie...this was my birthday present last year. I ended up not liking it in our living room so I gifted it to Maggie! She actually sits at it and does her homework in her room!

Grandparent's Day

MeMe surprised Maggie for lunch today at school for Grandparent's Day.

Flubber

Maggie wakes me up this morning asking if we have any Borax in the house. She wanted to have a science experiment and claimed she NEEDED Borax before she could go any further! It was a rainy day and we had little planned for a change, so I agreed...but only after she had the correct recipe before starting. She quickly Googled and copied the correct measurements so it was off to Walgreens! Maggie had a fabulous time!

1st annual amazing bike race

A friend of ours hosted the 1st Annual Amazing Bike Race with a bunch of friends of ours from the neighborhood. It's modeled after the popular CBS show, The Amazing Race. The girls randomly drew for team color and placement and rode all around our neighborhood following a series of clues and ultimately ended up at Mark Twain School. The girls for the most part had a fabulous time and exhibited excellent teamwork. Afterwards, they were rewarded with lunch and swim party at a fellow participants house. Maggie's team tied for 1st. We look forward to next year...

Girl Scouts

Today Maggie was reunited with her Girl Scout troop for a new season of scouts. Awards were handed out and they had a fun time swimming. Maggie is super pumped about her best friend Catherine joining her troop today...more so than the 13 badges she was awarded!

Quiet Day

We had a quiet day at home today spending good time together. We went shopping for school supplies for her GT class next week and selected a birthday present for an upcoming birthday party. She "slip and slided" at a friends house for a bit and read The Hundred Dresses for an upcoming mother/daughter book party. We shopped for the coziest fabric to make a new pillowcase for her big pillow and went out to eat for Mexican food. Great day...she wished out loud it was Sunday several times because she missed school! She asked to go to bed at 10:00PM and was asleep within 5 minutes...with her cozy new pillow.

Cullen Crew

Maggie had a great 1st week back at school...and topped off her week by going to a swim party with all her Twain friends that went to camp with her this summer! She was VERY tired by the time she got home!

1st day of school

Maggie's 1st day of 5th grade was today...how could we not go to school without our traditional photo in the front yard before school? I asked Maggie to rate her day...1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest...she interupted by instructions to yell out, "It was a 10!!" I asked her about her teacher and she quickly replied, "I love her, I love school so much!" Physically, Maggie has grown up a lot since kindergarten but she's still my sweet little girl that loves school. I hope that never changes.

Rising 5th graders

Maggie went to a swim party today for incoming 5th graders. She had a great time visiting with old friends...none of these girls are in her class this year. The weather was perfect for swimming...it was dreadfully too hot!

class rosters

Being a teacher has very few perks...but one is Golden...choosing Maggie's teacher! Some years are better than others, this year will be another awesome year! Maggie didn't know who was in her class until today when the lists were posted. Most of her friends are in other classes but she doesn't seem to mind. Although she is shy and not one to make the first move towards making new friends, somehow she always seems to manage surprising me! Many years I've given her a choice...be with a few old friends or choose the teacher. She always goes with the teacher...

mommy's helper

Not only has Maggie been a big help to me in the classroom, she has helped other teachers in their rooms, organized display cases for our principal and even phoned all the safety patrols to notify them of their 1st day duties! Maggie loves to help and welcomes the added responsibilities with open arms!

Jonas Brothers

Unfortunately, Maggie missed the culminating day of VBS...and accompanied her Aunt Kate to the Jonas Brothers concert! I think she had a great time...but I am betting not as good as Kate's! Maggie loves doing things with Kate and looks forward to her next visit home from Austin!

Marketplace A.D.

All week Maggie attended St. Martin Episcopal's VBS with a friend in the neighborhood. It was an exceptional experience...much superior to a similar setup at our own church a few years ago! They experienced the life and ministry of Jesus through a life-sized, authentic biblical market complete with live animals and actors playing Jesus and His disciples spreading the gospel! She visited various "vendors" to learn more about basket weaving, wood working, metal works, pottery, etc. She wore a costume every day and even had dinner there. This was definitely a unique and memorable experience...one that will not be forgotten!

Love Thursday

Yosemite, 2009

i'm back...

I started school today...children arrive in a couple of weeks. We've had a great summer but it always seems to fly by much too quickly!

Jamaica Beach

Thank you to the Enos Family...we had a FABULOUS time st your beach house! The weather was great, the food was wonderful and the company is always a treat. Maggie and Ben always have such a good time together. We were hoping to find a few shark's teeth...but it just wasn't meant to be...maybe next time! Rosie even got in the water and didn't spaz out with people getting in the water. Maggie especially enjoyed making ice cream with Jennifer and playing on the "crooked pirate ship." I loved the canal...and I think Ian loved the beer too much! :-)

Paul's 40th

We went to Paul's (weird...neighbor AND ex-boyfriend!) 40th birthday at Blanco's. I swear I hadn't been there in 15 years...it looked exactly the same! A fun time was had by all.

Love Thursday (NOT)

Amazingly at 8 months, Rosie had her first unfortunate casualty due to chewing. Maggie was very upset but accepted full responsibility...she shouldn't have left them out! Hard lesson to learn...they were her favorites!


Rosie didn't like me upset with her...she knew she made a poor choice!

only in Texas

Only in Texas, can you find a bullet casing in your 10 year-old daughter's camp laundry...and it's OK!

dumpling house

A classmate of Maggie's had us over for lunch...what a feast, especially for the middle of the afternoon! We also learned how to make authentic Chinese dumpling. Hopefully, I can duplicate this technique at home! The conversation was good but difficult to understand at times. They had interesting stories to tell and the girls had a nice time. Afterwards, they invited Maggie to accompany them to the art museum...we wanted to go home and take a nap!

Super Fun Time

As expected Maggie had a Super Fun Time this year at camp...the countdown for next year has already begun. Maggie reported that she wants to be a counselor someday, just like Danielle. Sweet. I was pleased to find out Maggie received the title of "Honor Camper" for the 3rd year in a row...I love that she loves camp as much as me! On our way out today, her counselor slipped us a personal note which read, "...I appreciate that you always did what you were told only after the first time you were told, every time. You showed the 5 core values of Faith, Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility in your life every single day of camp. I am very proud of you and can't wait to see you next year..." Can a mommy be any more proud to know her child behaves even when she isn't looking? Well done, Mags!

rock quarry

Before leaving camp today, the girls wanted to hike over to see the rock quarry. Sadly, it was too muddy from a recent storm AND there is a burn ban currently in Texas... they didn't even get to go! One of my favorite memories (and theirs, too) from camp was the giant campfires during opening and closing ceremonies at the rock quarry...they feel gypped.

oopsie

Every mom fears the dreaded call from the director to come pick up their child! A friend fractured his ankle this year...but luckily was able to stay for the rest of the week!

good times

Eight of Maggie's friends from school joined her at camp this year...most of them even managed to be in the same cabin. From what I hear everything worked well. She's known many of these girls since she was a baby. I'm glad they were able to enjoy camp together!

counselors

Maggie's counselors were absolutely adorable. Danielle is actually a senior at Memorial High School...where Ian and I went...and planning on being a teacher. Manu came all the way from Brazil and was looking forward to visiting Disney World on her way home! Maggie hopes to have them as counselors next year...they told her to request them!

pooped!

We arrived to see a simple slide show of the week and a bunch of tired campers in the dining hall!

Funny story. These were on the check-out table...I assume these were confiscated items! No electronics allowed! Maggie is such a rule follower...to a fault. Against her wishes, I hid her phone in her trunk. She was horrified and convinced she would be kicked out of camp. I didn't wish to call her...I just wanted to make sure she could call me if she HAD to. I tried to tell her rules are not a concern when there is a true emergency. I felt better it was there.

finally!!

We've all heard from Maggie this week...Ian and I got seperate letters with leather keychains from the craft room (you can't tell but mine is a butterfly with hearts and the word, MOM). Rosie and Clementine even got one, too! Check your mailboxes, I'm hearing rumors there are more letters to come!

last day

It's Maggie's last day of camp today. It looks like she is still having a fun time and possibly making new friends! I'm betting it was a rough night...the weatherman reported that the area had "monstrous" thunderstorms that resulted in 1,000 lighting strikes every 3 minutes!

anyone for targets?

Isn't this a silly picture? It appears that Maggie has made it to the rifle range for target practice... one of her favorites! It was mine, too. On the archery range Maggie reports that they added plastic animals...and she shot a deer in the neck. Lovely.

waterfront fun

I was thrilled to see her on the "banana boat." Maggie told me it was scary last year and that she might not ride this year. I wonder if peer pressure kicked in or if she seriously considered my letter reminding her that she got an award at school for being a risk-taker and to try something new at camp this summer. Whatever the case, I know she is having a wonderful adventure with her friends!

She's OK

We are slow to get pictures and they are not the best of quality. No matter...I am thankful to get a glimpse of Maggie. She loves the craft room. I'm sure she will be bringing home another leather necklace!

Maggie came to camp this year with 8 friends from school. It looks like they are pretty much sticking together at first.

Later, Maggie appears to be at one of the rope courses with a different group of girls. I wonder how high she went?

cabin 2G

After a long wait cabin pictures were finally posted on the camp website. I know the girls are going to have a fabulous adventure together. Unfortunately, her friend had quite an adventure before we even got back to Houston! Good news...she returned to camp the next morning!

Camp Cullen or BUST

THE day finally arrived...to go to camp! The moment Maggie steps foot onto camp property she feels so completely happy! She chose a bunk, got settled in and even found time to make a new friend! This year she has 8 friends from school that joined her this year...

letterbox #15

Ok, this was the most wonderful letterrbox ever! "Guido's Hand" was hidden INSIDE the Fondren Library at Rice University! The actual letterbox was hidden inside a fake book. It was a cool relief from the heat and tons of fun to find!