Cornelius Chronicles

Well, she did it!  She not only did it, she excelled at it and made it a joyful year of Kindergarten growth, discovery, friends, and learning.  Maeve finished Kindergarten!!!!  We have been so blessed with her amazing, Christlike teacher, Mrs Stroud, a classroom full of wonderful friends, and learning milestones like conquering reading, math, art, music, and PE.  Yea Maeve!  I know it was sad to end this awesome year, but I know you will have many more awesome school years to come.  You're just that kind of a smart, hard working, awesome gal!

With a whirlwind of emotions and excitement Loyd finished his 5th Grade year at Ferguson Elementary.  He is officially a 6th Grader now and moving on to Intermediate School and all of the adventure that awaits us there.  It has been a fun filled week of awards ceremonies, giant 5th Grade party picnics to celebrate this milestones, clap outs as he and his fellow classmates leave the elementary school for the last time on the last day of school, and lots of love and tears in between. Elementary School has taught us so many things about the world and ourselves.  It has been a wonderful experience to watch Loyd grow and blossom into a kind, generous, intelligent, hard working young man.  I'm so excited to find out what's to come in intermediate school and the start of BAND!!!!!  Go Euphonium section! (Loyd will be playing the Euphonium in 6th Grade Band.  Whoot Whoot!  Go Brass Section!) :)    Check Loyd getting awards a the 5th Grade award ceremony!  That's my son

Owen showing off his cool bat face paint after a field trip to the Houston Zoo One of the biggest blessings in our life is Trooper School Preschool.  This wonderful program is a preschool program help at the local High School, supervised by a very talented and experienced teacher, and run by 50 or so of the best teenage high school students you could ask for.  Three times a week these amazing students plan, prepare, and present fun and engaging preschool lessons to 20 of the luckiest preschoolers on the planet.  They learn so much, have tons of fun, and even get to ride on a big yellow school bus on a couple of exciting field trips.  Here are a few Trooper School highlights from the past 2 and half months.    Water day!   Owen is having way too much fun with the water shooters      Muffins with Moms Preschool Graduation You did it Owen!  You finished your first year of preschool!  Good thing you can come back next year, because you were not ready for the fu

With 6 kids and one mom and dad, it takes team work to make us run.  Here are some great shots of the kids stepping in to help and teach each other over the last couple of months.   Loyd helping Maeve read her book for school under the peach tree.  John didn't want to miss out.  Rebekah letting John test drive her new fencing sword.  She's working on the next generation of fencers before they can even talk! Backyard fencing lessons with Rebekah, Maeve and Owen.  Owen came up with the idea to use his storm trooper helmet as a substitute fencing helmet.

It must be lucky #13 this year!  It has been such a fun year to celebrate Rebekah and all of her wonderful talents.  Whoever thought 7th Grade would be boring never had an amazing Rebekah!  This year we have had so much fun watching her blossom and shine in her own quiet way, letting her hard work and talents speak for themselves.  She won a place at the Houston Science Fair in the Fall, won an exciting art award at the Grand Galveston Children's Art Festival in the Spring, and finished up the school year with a personal invitation to design the official Seabrook Science Magnet t-shirt for next year's class. Rebekah I am always impress with with your desire to do right, to work hard, and to do your best.  You have a natural modesty that allows you to produce amazing art and literature and science, but still have time and enthusiasm for the excellence you find in your friends and family.  I am loving being your mom and watching you grow and develop into your own kind of beau

It was a busy and a fun Easter season this year filled with egg hunts at Trooper School preschool with Owen, Kindergarten with Maeve, our backyard with all of the kids, and a fun egg dying family party.  We also did a spiritual countdown to Easter as together we learned about the last week of the Savior's life and His gifts of the Resurrection and Atonement.  We had lots of fun and grew our testimonies as we celebrated this holiest day of the year.  Trooper School preschool Egg Hunts Fun!  Owen hunted eggs three times that day!  Twice outside and once inside due to morning rain storms.  We had so much fun finding "Owen" eggs.    Owen with Trooper School Preschool Teachers and Classmates   Hey Look!  The Easter Bunny made a stop at kindergarten today too!  Maeve had a fun and sometimes tricky egg hunt in the school library.  Thank you nice librarian for letting the Easter Bunny borrow your space when it was wet and stormy outside. Family eg