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.