Reptiles

Brenna loves second grade, especially Science. Tomorrow is her first unit science test on Reptiles. For the last two nights we have quizzed her off the study sheet sent home by her teacher. She hasn't missed a single answer and has long detailed descriptions and explanations. (Be sure to watch her facial expressions, especially the "interesting fact" near the end. (1:35)




If you think the Gila Monster explanation is funny, I should have taped her talking about the Komodo Dragons or the difference between American Alligators and Crocodiles. I think she could give Bindi Sue a run for her money. Wouldn't they be cute together?

Here is the Gila Monster we saw in West Texas at the Rattlers and Reptiles museum in Fort Davis.

Student Council Rep

Second grade is the lowest grade that contributes two class representatives to the school Student Council. Cameron stood for election in each year since second grade without success. This year Brenna could not wait to run for Student Council. On the morning of the election last week Brenna chose her clothes carefully, brushed her hair, practiced her speech, and chattered ceaselessly about the election. She wanted it. She really wanted to be elected.

She wasn't.

On Student Council Officer election day, Cameron had bigger worries - specifically how to choose between two friends running for President? She eventually made her choice and together we consoled Brenna in her loss. And I promptly forgot about Student Council elections.

Until today. Unbeknownst to me, Cameron's class rep election was held today. When I picked her up, she sadly informed me that (sigh) I was going to have to arrange my work schedule to pick her up twice a month after Student Council meetings, because SHE WON HER CLASS ELECTION!

Whoo! We were super proud of her! She asked for Baskin Robbins ice cream after dinner to celebrate and we were happy to go as a family. Poor Brenna struggled so hard to overcome the twisted tangle of emotion within her - all plainly visible on her face. Eventually she was able to congratulate her sister, who gave her a hug and said there's always next year.

The First Decade

My baby is ten years old today. Now how did THAT happen?


1999: Photo taken in the hospital
2000: One year old. Photo take by Kris Toma in Austin at the Arboretum.

2001: Two years old. We had just moved to our new house in Houston. In a few months, Cameron would no longer be the only grandchild.

2002: Three days before her third birthday, Cameron became a "big sister".

2003 - Four years old and in PreK

2004: Five years old, already in Kindergarten and reading "Junie B. Jones" and "Magic Tree House" books.

2005: Six years old and in first grade at St. Clare.

2006: Seven years old. First (and only) short haircut. Finally able to enter public school.

2007: Eight years old, celebrating with brownies and marshmellows at SBR.

2008: Nine years old and Secretary of the Yearbook Club.

2009: Ten years old, last year of elementary school. Definitely a "Tween."

Happy Birthday Cameron. I love you.