Maggie Leu

It's just me being me...

2009-10-20T11:46:00.001-07:00

Re-dying her hair on a Friday nite while eatting an artichoke...her FAVORITE! I had to give the pink one more run.

Lovin' her brother.

A Maggie classic drawing these days...especially with the name backwards.

Getting into the Halloween spirit...

a Mermaid Halloween

2009-11-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

About a month ago we started talking about what Maggie wanted to be for Halloween. Instantly she answered MERMAID. What I love is that she never strayed from her decision. That was that, a mermaid. It is so Maggie to know what she wants and to stick with her decision and with dead on determination.

We went to Alex's house for their big annual Halloween party, and from there ventured out for trick-or-treating. Always a riot to watch the kids go from zero to 100 on the sugar high.

The Crayonbox School Parade & Party.

My nutty Maggie...

2009-09-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

Maggie turned to her Nana the other day and said, 'Nana, you have big cracks in your face.' I held my breathe but was glad to find that everyone in the room found the humor in it...whew.

Happy 4th Birthday Maggie Leu!!

2009-09-18T11:23:00.001-07:00

Oh, it was well celebrated!!!

That morning Joel & I ventured over to the Crayonbox where we served up homemade blueberry pancakes for her entire class. Maggie was smiling ear-to-ear during the entire breakfast, either because she had her Mommy & Daddy there (I would like to think), or it was because everyone got to share in her love for SYRUP & WHIPPED CREAM on pancakes.

I picked her up from school later that day & we had afternoon tea at Lovejoy's tearoom just down the street. She insanely just loves having tea. From setting up the table to putting ALL the sugar & milk in the tea - it's just something she is way into right now. And I find she truely relaxes during our tea moments.

So we ran with the tea theme & had 11 little friends over for a birthday TEA PARTY!

THE cake. We talked a lot about what Maggie wanted on her cake all the days leading up to her birthday. And she wanted about a hundred different things ranging from a princess to a cat to her family...and when told it wouldn't all fit, her reply was 'just make it all really tiny mommy.' So as to not squash her expectations I had her draw out what she wanted on her cake and that's EXACTLY what I put on it. A Maggie Leu creation....

Yep, that's permanent!

2009-08-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

I recently had this sudden urge to embellish and celebrate all things GIRLY in my world. It's this rush of energy to embrace Maggie in a way that celebrates her as a girl & as her own individual, me as a mother...and dive into doing things together - as GIRLS!!!

So what better thing to do than DYE HER HAIR PINK!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! And so does she.

Riding PEE WEE the pony - note she is wearing her Daddy's green tie. Awwhhhh. Look at that PINK hair. LOVE IT!!!

Charleston 2009

2009-08-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

In asking Maggie what her favorite memories were of the beach this year, she replied:

- Ghost crabbing!!! We go out with flashlights after dark & catch (and then release) these little crabs.

- Swimming in the ocean & playing at the beach.

All the cousins: Claire (8), Frederick (12), Olivia (10), Grace (6), Maggie (3), Charlie (1), Liam (5), and Haven (2).

A few Maggie sound bites over the last few weeks:
- We were at the Charleston aquarium & they had this skunk...which she pronounces 'SNUCK.'
- I was explaining to Maggie that in order for her to get her green ribbon at swim class, she needs to swim 6 feet on her own. After a pause she said 'but Mommy, I only have 2 feet' (as she looked at her feet in total sadness).

One of my favorite things about Maggie right now is all her facial expressions. She has this way of communicating with all these different looks. They get me every time too. :)

Camp Mather 09

2009-06-15T21:09:00.001-07:00

An EPIC week at Camp Mather. Maggie was IN her element. Running around (shoe-less most the time!), and just loving her freedom. And I had an amazing time with all the kids & my good friends. It's rare to get that unplugged, wholesome bonding with everyone where all that is around you is what's in front of you. A week I don't think any of us will forget.

Riding Tweetie the Donkey.

Making her first Tye-Die T-shirt.

Wheeling around with Alex, Lola & Vivi

Getting the Wiggles out with Eddie & Mariza.

Playing on stage.

42" Tall

2009-06-28T16:11:00.001-07:00

Joel & Maggie's adventure to Six Flags...

Entering the park:

Riding the roller coaster:

The tea cup ride:

The carousel of course:

Playing games:

Hello Kitty Tattoo:

And feeding Lucy:

Girlz Weekend

2009-06-01T17:27:00.001-07:00

Maggie and I just spent a weekend in Minneapolis visiting Aunt Red - she turned 40!!! Aunt Peach and Nana flew in to celebrate. It was a much needed escape & break from our crazy, ever hectic city life.

A few small reminders that Maggie is being raised in a city:
- thinking the water tower looked like a giant sucker in the sky
- commenting that cousin Claire & Grace have their own park (their backyard)
- and completely mesmerized by the blue's clue sprinkler that all the kids were running through.
- running out the back door so she can run to the front
- the ICE CREAM truck!!

We loved ever minute from jumping on the trampoline, playing princess dress up, swimming, a peaceful moment with a fire & s'mores...

The house I grew up in - 4513 Woodale Ave in Edina.

Maggie got a ROOMMATE!

2009-05-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

I have always said, 'Maggie LOVES to love and LOVES to be loved.' She is a social butterfly. Always wanting to know who is coming over or who are we going to visit. And certainly always the last to go to bed at night because she doesn't want to miss out on a minute of fun. Definitely gets it from BOTH of us.

For the past 5 months (ever since our trip to Tahoe over New Years) Maggie has been sleeping in our bed. We have both loved snuggling with her & waking to her smiling, charming self. But - it was time to make the move back to her OWN sleeping quarters. A few failed attempts later, she got a roommate. And from the sounds of their glee and giggling this morning, I think it's going to be wonderful for BOTH of them.

Taken at Golden Gate Park by Stephan last weekend (Mariza, Vivi & Maggie)...

I KNOW you hear me.

2009-05-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

I am certain it's the age, right. And that she'll grow out of it... LISTENING. I know she hears me but she silently looks right through me and ignores the rules crashing down around her. And ya know what, I SO GET THAT! Dare I say it comes from me. I'm a bit free spirited, and so is Mz Maggie. And god love her for it, cuz as much as I have my parental challenges around it, it's a good personality trait that will do her quiet well.

I asked her today why she doesn't like to listen to me, and she said 'because I don't like rules.' Yep. That's my Maggie!

A few photos during Bay-to-Breakers this past weekend...

A fleeting moment.

2009-05-03T19:41:00.000-07:00

This morning I found myself looking at Maggie and thinking...ok, time to cut that hair. It's constantly in her face and entirely too gnarly from all the food it finds itself visiting through out the day. She just HATES to have it brushed. It's a constant negotiation. And as we all know, you only have so many negotiations a day.

So, why not chop it off today? Maggie was game, and I was in the mood to be somewhat spontaneous. Strolled on up to SUPERCUTS, 1 hair cut please! 20 bucks and whala...

I have to say, I think you do kinda get what you pay for...the hair stylist was a bit more liberal on how much she took off vs. what I had intended. But hey, it's summer & it will grow.

I think she looks older now, and perhaps I already knew that but was looking for a bit more validation.

BEFORE

AFTER

Charlie turns 1

2009-04-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

I took Maggie to swim class today & the whole car ride back we talked about the day Charlie was born. She said, 'Mommy, tell me a story about when Charlie came out of your bellie.' So I did. And I gave her a picture from my wallet taken of Maggie the day she met him in the hospital. Very proudly she kept that picture tucked in her fist & showed it off to all her teachers and friends at school. Maggie has ALWAYS been so completely and fully accepting of her brother. She welcomed him with open arms and has never turned away from him with jealousy or anger. She has been nothing but loving towards him. They are both so lucky to have each other, and secretly I might be the luckiest! ;)

Easter Goodness

2009-04-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

Maggie, Joel & I lunched on Easter weekend at the yummiest tea spot in San Francisco - Samavor. Maggie sipped on her princess tea and enjoyed opening a fun package from Grandma & Grandpa Leu. Grandma Leu made the kids these amazing Easter bunny baskets...and of course Maggie indulged her imagination a bit & wore it as a hat at our GRAND tea party!

An Easter egg hunt in our backyard.

The Easter bunny brought her a flower necklace, a BIRD shaped cookie from Miette, stickers, and a doll that she had been dreaming of for days!

Maggie & I had a moment after dinner of taking pictures of each other & it got really funny...

Me & the Cupcake

2009-03-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

Just a Sunday afternoon heading out the door & out comes Maggie all dressed up in some sort of super hero look. Her costume was comprised of pink cowboy boots, Cinderella princess dress, super hero cape, bike helmet & a spatula. All day it was my constant reminder to just be in the moment of her PURE kidness.

We picked up cupcakes from NOE VALLEY BAKERY (mmmmmm) later in the day. Maggie has this habit to eat ONLY the frosting. Luckily this one had custard in the middle too so it involved a bit of digging.

A weekend with friends

2009-03-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

Brunch at the Mak's house in Mill Valley on Sunday morning:

Xander Mak at a year and a half.

Checking out the creek behind their house with David & Xander. Ewwww. Worms!!!

Family Nite at the Fisher's House on Sunday night:

Lots of princess dresses!!!

Purple Bubblegum

2009-03-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

I was just in New York on a quick buying trip, and before I left I asked Maggie what she wanted me to bring back for her...and she said 'purple bubblegum.' When I got back today, it was the first thing she asked for - dang she has a memory like an elephant! But the best part is when I surprised her with ANOTHER princess dress. She was just tickled purple over the whole thing!!!!

A few pictures from playing at Dolores Park with Nini while I was in NY....

Banilla & Buttersnotch

2009-02-16T18:55:00.000-08:00

Maggie had a playdate with Carly, and I think we all had our share of fun! It's exciting to have Maggie at an age where she can have a friend over without their parent's supervision. She was in HEAVEN just having a buddy to pal around with. Next step...SLEEPOVERS!!!!

We took them to the IMAX theater for a 3-D movie.

Then to Mel's Diner for grilled cheese & 'banilla' & 'buttersnotch' milkshakes!

And then finished off with a carousel ride or two.

Mirror Mirror on the wall...

2009-01-27T14:45:00.000-08:00

Whose the greatest of them all....

Nicky got Maggie a little princess mirror to decorate for the holidays & they worked on it this past weekend.

Always good times when Nini is hanging out!!!

The Holidays...

2007-12-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

THANKSGIVING 2007

Our holidays started off down in Menlo Park with the Potischman family this year. And lemme tell you - 3 little munchkin's in some major heaven! It started with the bouncey castle, and then some cookie decorating...

Here is Maggie with her buddies Emmett Brown & Eli Potischman:

Riding the carousel with Daddy one day in December, a Maggie FAVORITE.

Maggie at her 2nd Annual Leu Holiday Cookie Party.

Sugared out a bit with Mariza after too many cookies.

Daddy got his first NEW car ever, and first hybrid - a 2008 PRIUS!

NEW YEARS EVE 2007

We enjoyed our New Years Eve this year with Chris & Edward, and Gamma & Gampa Leu. We munched on loads of cheesey fondue...and giggled our way through the remaining hours of 2007. We celebrated the east coast New Years & believe we were all passed out by 10pm.

May the laughter, goofiness & loving to live each day to it's fullest continue on in the year 2008!

Alas...Maggie sleeps IN!!!!

2009-01-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

3+ years later and FINALLY....the little lady sleeps in. I thought it would take til she was 16. It's a MIRACLE. Can you see me doing the happy dance??!!! :)

All her 'guys' lined up for dinner.

New Year's 2009 in Tahoe

2009-01-02T09:55:00.001-08:00

We joined the Zeches family for a week of PURE play in Tahoe. Joel had to work the entire week, so I escaped with the kids & he joined for the last few days. SO many wonderful adventures: hot chocolate & smores by the fire, sledding for the first time, riding the gondola, minor's camp with lola, vivi & lucy, lots of snuggles with baby Charlie....and for me, a golden week full of just time with my two children!!!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T12:21:00.001-08:00

First time seeing the Nutcracker. I LOVED it and so did Joel, maybe next year Maggie will appreciate it more. I think she was a bit freaked out on the mice and fell asleep during the 2nd half...but overall it was a big hit!

Lunch at Citizen Cake before the show...

Cocktails with Alex & Lola during intermission

My parents came out to visit for Christmas. A few photos from Christmas morning.

Maggie in her new cheerleading outfit from Aunt Red. She is drawing the Abominal Snowman, who is pregnant & has little pom poms all around him.

Papa Charles reading the Onion.

Opening presents.

Have a Nice Good Day!

2008-12-10T12:24:00.001-08:00

I picked Maggie up from school yesterday & she was so sad. She said someone called her a 'monster.' She just looked so hurt by it. What I gather is that they were playing around & chasing, and it was her turn to be the monster. BUT, what went through my head was a gazillion thoughts. How do I protect my daughter from mean comments people will say to her in her life? How do I teach her to be confident, independent, strong? How can I hold her tight & never let her go in fear someone might hurt her inner self??? How? How? How????

Granted, it's preschool we are talking about. BUT, it's the beginning of the end of innocence. It just gets so complex from here on out. All I want to do is hand her the tools and resources to ease the difficulty of some of it. And I certainly plan to, and I suppose I have been all along. Yet, it just seems more real now cuz she isn't a baby anymore.

I didn't think I could love her more today than yesterday. But I do. And I know I will love her even more tomorrow. Now that is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Maggie loves to say 'Have a nice good day!'

C is for Cooooookie

2008-12-15T13:57:00.000-08:00

We hosted our 3rd annual holiday cookie party at our house yesterday. So much fun!!! and Miss Maggie...oh she had many highlights!!! My favorite was the ONE cookie she decorated with sincerely almost ALL the decorations piled on top of it. She happily ate it too, and even crawled under the table with a few of her buddies to polish off more.

Annie & Mariza Lopez

Morrissey Family: Pat, Dillion, Merrin, & Lexi

Gussy Timken, Maggie & Reese Wellbeloved

Chris, Morgan & Edward Katzin

A much needed chill out time for all after all the sugar! Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer...

A few other holiday photos. Decorating the tree with Maggie.

At the Velveteen Rabbit with Mariza. Mariza is so light & tiny that the chair kept folding up on her.

Maggie's advent calendar.