I am ONE!

I am one year old now! It was my birthday yesterday and I had the greatest day. First, I woke up and to my surprise, I was adorned with presents! I got an activity center with magnets and an abacus. Books, books and more books from my Aunt Jackie and Uncle Josh and some University of Texas Longhorn gear and vans shoes from my Aunt Megan. Next, I ate breakfast. Now, this breakfast had a candle in it and it was a chocolate brownie. Unfortunately, that was a one time breakfast. Back to cherries and cheerios this morning. For lunch, we met my dad at a place called Chuck E. Cheese's. We ate pizza and played games. My mom and dad won a princess headband for me. I was absolutely beautiful. Bottom line, I loved my birthday. Many of you sent your well wishes for my first birthday and I appreciate it. Apart from the big birthday news, I also attended my first wedding in Charleston, South Carolina. I saw my Gramma, Pop and Uncle Tom. I danced, I sang and I stole the show. Well, in all fairness, the bride was gorgeous and she held her own in the spot light. I had a great weekend with my family and I heard I was going to see them next week for Christmas! I am very excited. We leave for Dallas in one week and I regret that I will be much too busy to author a blog entry until the new year. I hope everyone has a fantastic two weeks of holiday merriment! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each of you and your families. Until the new year... -Maggie

This week I: went to Chuck E. Cheese's, I rode on a step stool float, I got my picture taken with Santa (not my favorite event this week), I rode on an airplane, I received birthday presents, I played with my Uncle Tom, I met my Gramma and Pop at the airport, I spoke with a police officer who was riding a horse, I waited at the Franklin subway station and I waited at the Park Place subway station.

Happy birthday Granny!!!!

Come Home Soon, Dad

Good Morning Everyone! I regret that I must start today with some sad news; my dad has gone to India. He was called away on business and although he has assured me of his speedy return, I am sad. My mom tries but no one hugs me like my dad. I know he will be home soon and we are planning a welcome home breakfast that will be the greatest breakfast of all breakfasts. On a happier note, my mom and I are having a blast. We are dancing to Christmas music, singing at the top of our lungs, playing games and running around NYC holiday shopping and living the good life. We have also started decorating our home for Christmas. Before my dad left, he was talking about how he hid the "T-O-Y-S". Umm, I was not born yesterday. Now I just need to find them. Unfortunately, my mom won't leave me alone. Don't worry, I will elude her tight grasp. But I digress. I have so much to prepare for in the weeks to come. I will still be obligated to complete my regular chores including but not limited to walking, yelling and gymnastics; however, I will have the hubbub of the holidays to contend with as well. I hope you are all having a fantastic holiday season. Well, I am off to see how loud I can sing Jingle Bells. Until next week... -Maggie

This week I: Learned not to rub my eyes while eating lasagna, waited for Christmas, played with my wiggle ball and took a bath.

Thanksgiving Recap

Hello everyone! I took last week off due to the Thanksgiving festivities. It was my first Thanksgiving and I must say, I am still full. What a wonderful holiday. I took the train to New Jersey with my mom and dad. We spent the day with my Uncle Eoghan, Aunt Shannon and my cousins. We had a fashion show and ate pie! I had my first, second and third piece of cheesecake. My mom said I should thank my Great Aunt Moira for the wonderful cheesecake recipe. Thank you very much! As for Thanksgiving activities, I made hand turkeys for my grandparents. It was quite fun and I must say, they were stunning. I love craft days in our house. My mom doesn't care how messy the house gets and I get at least two baths! We have been busy here in Brooklyn the last two weeks. Lots of errands and holiday shopping. The city is a buzz and there is a definite chill in the air. I was only 10 days old last Christmas but I can still remember the yuletide cheer and the tiny tots with their eyes all a glow. I have heard I am on Santa's nice list but I am not so sure I have the self discipline to stay there. Wish me luck! In other news, I have something very exciting to share. My Uncle Ealar and Aunt Annie are going to be giving me another cousin! That is right. My Aunt Annie is pregnant!!! She is due in June and we are all very excited. It will be my first younger cousin so I am not sure what will be expected of me. I think I can handle it. Well, I better be going. It is time for peek-a-boo. Until next week... -Maggie

This week: I fell asleep in my stroller and lost my shoe, I drank a juice box with my cousin Keira, I dressed up like a reindeer and I spent time with my cousins.

Meltdown...

Is it Tuesday again? I must say, these weeks are flying by. We are having so much fun and learning so many new things that I wish we had more hours in the day. I went to the library today and I think I may have been overwhelmed. I would like to take this time to extend my deepest apologies to all the patrons of the Brooklyn Children's Museum and also to my mom. It was not that I hated being there. On the contrary, I loved it, perhaps too much. I agree, I was loud and when I was not permitted to love a book the way I wanted to love it, I had a meltdown. It was childish of me and I can only say, I will try to refrain in the future. I think we all know this is quite the mountain for me, but I am ready to start the climb. Well that aside, my friends, Megan and Karen, came to visit this week. First we had lunch and then we shopped 'til we dropped. I got some much needed winter gear. It gets cold here. After we went shopping, my dad took me on a run through central park. And of course we also watched the University of Texas beat Kansas. What a weekend! Oh, and speaking of football, I would love to congratulate my Uncle Ealar. He coaches the Bishop Amat High School Lancers football team. They made it to play-offs! I am really proud of him but I am a little nervous. What if they play the Longhorns? What if my dad and my uncle are rivals? I am praying for a tie. I guess I should remain loyal to the Longhorns given the fact that I am a cheerleader, but I have always thought of myself as an honorary Lancer cheerleader as well. My cousin Scarlett told me we were. I guess we will jump off that bridge when we get there. Well, I have lots to do before dinner. I think there are still a few items in the bathroom cabinet that need to be thrown into the toilet and I am sure I have not finished removing all of the clothes from my drawers. Which reminds me, I need to start on my parents drawers too. So much to do. Until next week... - Maggie

This week I: ran with my mom, was tickled on the subway by my Auntie Megan and I got a new hair do.

Out and About in NYC

Good morning everyone. Has anyone ever had a cold? I have a cold and it is not too fun. My mom is always wiping my face and sucking my brain out through my nose. But apart from my mom being uber annoying during all of this, I am OK. We had a fun weekend. Saturday was rainy and cold so we stayed home and danced and played games. My dad is goofy but he sure can dance. On Sunday, we rode our bikes all over Manhattan and Brooklyn and for the most part, it was very fun. It was a little chili but I was bundled up. We also had lunch at EJs Lunchonette where I was served the chef's special; an english muffin mini pizza. Delicious. 5 stars. I recommend fully. Not much else happened this week. I had fun exploring and learning. We spent a fews days in Manhattan and met my Uncle Eoghan for coffee. I have lots of fun with my Uncle Eoghan. He always holds me and tickles my hand with his beard and he even lets me drink his tea with a straw. I hope we see him this week too! Well, that is all for this week. I think it is time for me to empty my blocks on the floor, turn on a musical toy that does not stop for at least five minutes and then of course, read a book. Any suggestions? Until next week... -Maggie

This week I: played with my mom, ate bubbles in the bath tub, I played peek-a-boo with the shower curtain and I read the newspaper.

Happy Early Birthday, Pop! I love you!

VOTE!!!

Happy Election Day everyone! Hail to the good ole red, white and blue. Unfortunately, my bed time is at the exact time the first polls close. I was devastated to find out my parents are not extending my bedtime and I will have to wait until the morning to find out if my BFF, Barack Obama, defeated Senator McCain. I sure hope so. Maybe someone can call me. I will have my mom's cell phone under my pillow. Anyway, since I am denied the privilege and freedom to vote based on my age, otherwise known as ageism, I hope everyone else took the time and voted. It is important. It is my world too and I hope you were thinking about me when you cast your ballots. Moving on. The other hot topic of the week was my Halloween outfit. My hint was: What is black and white and black and white and black and white? The answer: A penguin falling down stairs! I did not fall down stairs but I was the happiest little penguin you ever did see. March of the Penguins has nothing on me! I went to Ridgewood, New Jersey to trick or treat with my cousins, Joe (not pictured but he was a spider web), Molly (a nurse), Maeve (Dorothy) and Keira (the Cowardly Lion). I was not able to get tons of candy mainly because I fell asleep around the 6th house. I did however, eat my first kit kat. You weren't lying! That is some good poo. I cannot wait until next year. I will not be so quick to fall asleep. The only other news this week is that we rode on our bicycles. Interesting. I have to wear a helmet (not cool) and sit in a seat (not horrible) and then we go racing through the streets of Brooklyn (really great!). I loved it. When we went to vote this morning we rode our bicycles. I am guessing we will be riding our bicycles a lot! Well, CNN is discussing the exit polls and battleground states. I better not miss this. I am the future after all. I better know what I am in for. Until next week... - Maggie

This week I: played with my cousin Keira, dressed up like a penguin, tried on my bicycle helmet and I ate my Auntie Shannon's chili which was delicious!

Update

Well, it is Tuesday again and I have had a wonderful week. My mom gave me a Mohawk and I looked fantastic! I have been asked to discuss with everyone the goings on of my mom and dad. I guess I will start with my mom. She is pretty. PRETTY FUNNY! We like to laugh a lot. She does normal mom things. We go for walks, we run in the park and she sings me lots of songs. She keeps the house clean and safe for me and also makes sure I have enough to eat and drink. Mostly, we play whatever I want but every so often I let her put my toys in baskets and she even gets a turn with my blocks. She is getting excited about her bicycle. I have a feeling we are getting ready to explore this city on wheels. I trust her. My dad is the greatest! He is just as funny as my mom. We play every morning and then I help him get ready for work. I am not exactly sure what he does at work or why he goes or if everyone is as good at work as my dad. I do know he likes work because I overheard my dad tell my mom how fun his days are and how much he is learning. And I may be little but even I know how happy my dad is when he is learning. I think he is the best person at work. Sometimes my mom takes me to have lunch with my dad and everyone loves us. We are a hit! So enough about my parents, this week was great. My friend Karen Teter came to visit. We had lunch and shopped and then we had lunch again. We had lots of fun running around NYC! As some of you may be aware of, Halloween is Friday. I know some of you may be wondering about my costume and you will have to wait for the big reveal but I will give you a hint. What is black and white and black and white and black and white? Oh, but I will not be falling down any stairs in my costume...hopefully. Before I tuck myself into bed, I wanted to say Happy Birthday to my cousin Joseph. He turned 11 years old today. We had a party for him on Sunday and I hope he had a fabulous day because I sure did. Three cheers for Joe. Hip Hip Hooray. Hip Hip Hooray. (everyone join in on this one) Hip Hip Hooray! Until next week... - Maggie This week I: watched UT beat Oklahoma State, I bought a new pair of shoes, I prayed before meals and I watched my first episode of Seseame Steet.