Wonder

Meagan and I both read Wonder by RJ Palacio.  It is a wonderful, wonderful book about a boy named Auggie who has a dramatic face deformity and has always been homeschooled.  His parents decide in 5th grade that it is time for him to go to school for the first time.  If you haven't read it, do it.  It is inspiring.  The best part, though, is that RJ Palacio is coming to Round Rock ISD.  I am taking a big group of students from my school and Meagan was chosen to go from her school. There will be a ton of kids from all over the district, but it is fun that we will both be there to hear one of our favorite authors.

Meagan Alyssa, Age 10

 About 2 weeks old, wearing preemie clothes

Daddy's girl.

Papa Joe's girl too.

And sweet Barni.

The day Meagan came home from the hospital, taken by Uncle Brian L.

Her very first vacation.  It was to Atlantis, in the Bahamas. 

19 months with the horsie that Uncle Brian G bought to distract her from her new baby sister that was coming home in a few days.  She loved both the horse and her sister. :)

Best friends forever.  She just turned three and Nati was about 18 months.

Still best friends 6 years later....age 9.

The best big sister to both Natalie and Matthew.

 

 

Ten years ago at this very second I was deep in labor.  Meagan was born at 10:04, about an hour from now.  I was both scared and elated at the idea of finally becoming a mommy.  You see, Meagan was a dream since Andy and I met at age 18 and 19.  And then, for a long time after that because I struggled for a long time to get pregnant.  It was worth it.  Meagan is a typical tween.  She tests her boundaries and can be sassy.  However, her heart is big and full. I adore watching her grow and learn.  She is a spectacular writer and reader, and I get to say that because I see it every day.  Math, well, she isn't a fan.  Meagan, though, is an artist.  She is a fantastic artist and dancer.  She loves to sing as well and rocks the Frozen soundtrack.  She loves her sister, brother and Andy and I more than anything in the world.  She happily shares a room with Nati and loves to teach Matthew new lessons.  Of course, her current obsession is her new lizard, Claws.  Well, that and One Direction. :)

  She is getting an unexpected day off today due to ice.  We will relax and enjoy my amazing daughter.

 

Welcome Claws!

Meagan turns ten tomorrow.  I will do another post just focusing on that (really? TEN?!??!) later, but in the meantime, I must introduce Claws.  He is our brand new bearded dragon.  He is Meagan's birthday gift, but we are all in love with him. I never in a million years would have thought that I could care so much about a lizard, but he is adorable!  He likes to be held and falls asleep on your chest.  He will take a signifigant amount of care, but it is totally different than a hamster. With the hamster that we had in the past, he did not care at all if you got near him.  Actually, he would try to bite you.  Claws is very chill and not at all like the hamster.  Matthew has been super gentle with him, introducing himself and telling Claws that he loves him.  :)

And One More Thing!

Meagan told Matthew about this show.  It is called Lazytown and it is about exercising.  Oh, the irony.  One of the character's name is Sportacus.  Matthew told me that he has to eat lots of oranges (known as "sports candy" on the show) so that he can grow up just like Sportacus.  His other favorite character is Stephanie because she is fun and likes to dance.  Go Meagan!!

Finally! Some pictures!!

Gorgeous, gorgeous weather called for a last minute trip downtown to go paddleboating.  Well, we sort of did it Griswald style.  They told us there that we could get all 5 of us on one "Swan" paddleboat.  Um, yeah, not so much.  We did it, but it was hilarious.  Every time I paddled I had to lift Matthew up with my leg because that was exactly where he has sitting, or at least the half of him that was not perched on Meagan's lap, much to her chagrin.  We did have fun though and then walked around the 2nd St area for a bit as well.  Matthew posed with Willie Nelson at the statue down near city hall very proudly even though he had no clue who Willie was.  Andy and I saw him in concert back in 2005 at the (old) Backyard.  He was amazing.

Natalie got a special award from her teacher.  It is a Stallion Pride award, which means you are a good citizen.  I want my kids to do well in school, I really do.  However, when it comes down to it, there is nothing more important than always trying your hardest and just being a good person.  This is the second year in the row that Natalie has received this award, in addition to the Stallion Star awards that are given weekly.  Both girls show so much heart at school and I am very proud of them for it.

Sweet Memory

A few weeks ago Andy's parents had to put their dog Mookie down.  It was a long fought battle with cancer, and she just couldn't do it anymore.  It was sad for everyone.  Sandi sent me this picture and it brings tears to my eyes.  The dog on the right is Mookie, and the dog on the left is my Pokie.  I have loved all of my dogs, but Pokie was extra special to Andy and I.  She was our baby before we had any human babies and she was a huge part of our year in Colorado.  We took her everywhere, not that she was usually very eager to go on our adventures.  :)  She was happier just like this, all comfy on a couch.  She did love our favorite park in Boulder, so there was that. I miss her all the time.  Peanut, our last dog who was Pokie's sister, is not doing very well.  We have been giving her lots of extra hugs.  She doesn't have any diagnosis, but she is very lethargic and has lost weight.  We have her on antibiotics now and are hoping the vet has good news in February when we go for her well-dog appointment.

A whole lotta nada

I haven't posted simply because there hasn't been much going on lately.  I do have a few pics from the new Children's Museum, the Thinkery.  It is fabulous.  Other than that, we are just into the usual daily life around here. Meagan has started tutoring for math to get ready for the STAAR.  I have started my own tutoring groups at school to get my students ready.  Natalie got a Stallion Pride award today, which we are very excited about.  Matthew ran around the house screaming that he is Batman for a while this evening, which is also great.
Life as usual in the ATX.