Monday, February 28, 2011

Texlake










Took Madden's Girls Scout Troop to Camp Texlake over the weekend. My Girl Scout leader, my mom, came with us to help chaperone! We actually had a good, exhausting time. I listened to more Justin Bieber than I ever thought possible. The girls spent most free time making up dances, building a fort and playing board games. We also made dog toys to donate to the Austin Humane Society, had some fun at the archery field (all of the girls had tried archery at least once before at the 5th grade campout, so there were a fair amount of bullseyes!), learned how to build and put out a fire, and of course, there were hot dogs and s'mores!!! Pretty good old-fashioned fun. Mom and I sat on the front porch of the cabin and read our books a bit which was relaxing. I was out there Saturday night when a raccoon started walking up the steps. Not sure who was freaked out more when we saw each other!! Let's just say, I am NOT a natural at the outdoors thing, but I think I faked it pretty well.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Love and Marriage










Celebrated Melanie's upcoming wedding with a Honeymoon themed Bridal shower. So much fun to prepare for it - the food was themed around their destinations of Austria, Germany and Italy. Big thanks to the Hahn family for helping me pull it off with authenticity. They made homemade pretzels and wiener schnitzel as appetizers. The BEST! The Sachertorte is from the La Madeleine bakery, but I am proud to report that the Linzer cookies were handmade by Madden and I. (Yes, that's Mrs. Hahn on the trampoline with the kiddos.)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

She's Got It!


Callie had a great day at gymnastics today! She was chosen the Star of the Week, and she "got" her flip flop by herself. Yay, Callie! I am so proud of your hard work!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Father/Daughter Dance




The Doss Father/Daughter dance was last night. Porter and the girls had a dinner date at Cover 3 with Bob & Danielle and Wynnie & Scott. It was Madden's last one. Can't believe they've been to 6 of them together. Everyone was feeling a twinge of nostalgia, Madden included, who tells us frequently she doesn't want to grow up. Take a look at the photos - too late!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Nook Book


Madden spent all of her saved up fortune and gift cards to buy herself a Nook Color at Barnes & Noble last week. (Thanks Uncle Mike and Uncle Bud, etc!) The kids are allowed to use them in school for reading time, and Madden informs me that about 1/2 her class has a Kindle or Nook. This might be a slight exaggeration on her part, but she named off about 6-7 kids that have them. Aunt Wendy found another great NY Times article regarding the topic. I am just so darn glad she spent her money on an electronic that has (in my humble opinion) some true value, rather than that darn iTouch she has been wanting!!! The biggest potential problem is that she now has access to my B&N account with my credit card # attached. I'll have to stay alert when checking my CC bill - but really how do you get mad at someone for buying too many books?

Science Fair Update

Hurray to Madden and Uncle Jeff for their hard work on the Science Fair. Madden came home with a 2nd Place ribbon. Great work!

And Aunt Wendy found this NY Times article about Science Fairs that I found interesting. I am also extremely frustrated (already) with her Middle School next year. She is not allowed to sign up for the Accelerated Science class because she only has a 92 (A-) average in science for the 1st semester and not the mandated 94 (A). REALLY?? Because we want to be discouraging girls from taking advanced science in this day and age?!? I am drafting a letter, of course, not that it will do any good with the beauracracy of our public schools....

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Like, Oh My God!









Madden had a like, totally rad 80's roller skating party.

Snow day + Birthday party = 1 very happy Valley Girl!

Snow Day!

No school on Friday, February 4, 2011. Hooray!