I've had a ton of fun this week! Well, here in Texas, we were released early from school yesterday because of the terrible ice. Another winter wonderland hit North Texas! Today, there is no school! This is great, but this week we were supposed to have tennis tryouts. Darn! I was all ready to show coach all that I have learned this year.

I went to my friend's house a couple of days ago for dinner and Guitar Hero. Both families had a blast! When it was time to play Wii, my friend, Andrew, had an unfair advantage. He has been practicing since he heard how good I was at Guitar Hero. I haven't played for a while, so he beat me the first couple of times. Then yesterday, his mom was sick, so he came over to my house. This time, it was my turn to win on Super Mario Kart. My brother has a blast playing with Andrew, too. It's fun to see the two guys play Thomas the Train.

My dad comes home this Friday! I am so excited to see him! I can't wait to have him home for good.

Let them eat Cake!

Well, I made a cake, if that counts. A couple days ago, I baked a cake for my mom's birthday. We went to see a movie (Bolt, it was actually pretty good), and went to eat lunch at Red Robin's. It was a fun day. The cake was awesome, though we still have a ton of left overs. I think my mom had a good time.

Frosting the first layer of the layered cake. Afterwards, Josh went nuts with the sprinkles.

Mom lighting her candles. This picture turned out good, unusual with me behind the camera☺

Last Sunday, we went to Bethlehem Revisited, a place where everyone dresses up like in the time Jesus was born. You can see King Herod as he talks with the wise men, and walk with Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, or the wise men as they journey to the star. It is really cool. After you see the play, you can go look at a village which is set up to take on the time's feeling. Josh and I scored some rosemary and two little hand made coins. We also got to pet the incredibly soft chickens, goats, and sheep. The chickens were the best. One actually fell asleep in a little boy's arms. It was adorable! Mom wants one, but I don't think we could take care of it.

Then, on Monday, I played at my Christmas piano recital. I messed up one song (my hands were to cold, I hadn't practiced very much, and I knew I was going to mess up), but did very well on my duet, O Holy Night, with my friend, Sammy. Afterwards, we went to Ci Ci's and I had a great time with all my friends in the arcade. Josh and his friend almost busted the air hockey table, Andrew and Kyle stole some basketballs out of the Hoops game, Josh almost hit Oliver in the face with a basketball, and we all had fun trying out the broken motorcycle game. It was a memorable experience.

Getting ready to play on the grand piano.

Madi, CSI Agent

Last Sunday, a couple of friends and I participated in this huge science competition. In the competition there are many events: rocket building, root beer brewing, catapulting, cardboard armor, etc. Well, my group participated in the forensics competition. Together, we solved a robbery and murder in an hour and ten minutes. It was a lot of fun; we are awaiting the response to whether we reached the correct solution and if we won. We did very well, and took some pictures. Some are a bit fuzzy since I am a bad picture taker.

A table was laid out that had all kinds of things that we would need to solve the crime.

Fingerprints were hanging on the wall so all could see.

A ton of people showed up. Some groups were just arriving when we turned in our solution.

A suspicious boarding pass from the suspect's house is posted.

Madi, the Great Pinball Champion

A couple days ago, my family and I went bowling with some friends at Alleycats. I love that place; we played a game of mowling, played laser tag, and tried some arcade games. I didn't do to well in bowling (I got 76 points with the bumpers), got 3rd place out of four players in laser tag, but did well in the arcade. First, I had a comeback from a 4-0 loss in air hockey, only to lose 7-6. Then I placed in the Need4Speed Underground game after totally flipping my car at 150 mph. Next, it happened: I started playing pinball and couldn't stop. I scored 15,678,940 points in one game. My friend tried next and only got 9 mil. Yes! I am actually really good at something I didn't think I was.

So you see the pin down in the background. Guess what? I miss it!

Trying out pinball for the first time. I actually had a crowd gathered around me.

Back to Tennis

This morning, I went to play tennis with my friend. It has been a while since we've picked up a racket so the first few minutes were a bit messy. It was a lot of fun and a great start to my day.

Last night, my family was invited to watch Shrek 3 in a friend's backyard. The weather was perfect and we all had a great time! I think I might actually do the same, invite some friends over and watch movies for a Halloween party.

Me holding up a glow stick and chilling in a chair.

I received my report card a couple days ago. I am so happy; my lowest grade was a 96!!! I was also voted top cat, top overall person on my school team. =) My school divides the students into teams based on their classes. Each team has over 100 students. That same day I received a flu shot. So far I'm not having a reaction. I also finished A Long Way Gone and resumed Three Cups of Tea, an account of a mountain climber who builds schools for children in Pakistan. A really good read! Be happy, it's a three day weekend!

First Day of School

It's here! Summer is officially over while school begins. My first day was O.K, not as disastrous as it could be. I can't believe I am actually in the eighth grade. My day started out great; I had my cute first day outfit picked out and got to school O.K. My first period: Spanish. I can tell I'm going to like this class because the teacher is so relaxed. Next was Algebra, then Language Arts. I didn't eat lunch until 1:45, though, thanks to the first day confusion. I like my classes, though one of my teachers kind of creeps me out. She's a little weird. Finally, Athletics, then the final bell. I was able to find at least one friend in each class, but not as many as I was hoping for. I wish I could at least eat with my friends at lunch; instead, we have to sit in the order we come into the cafeteria. Oh well, I'll deal with it. Tomorrow includes U.S History, Science, L.A., then Athletics. Hope I find even more friends.

How was your first day? Was it as great as mine? Leave a comment to share your experience. And don't forget to share "Be Happy" with your friends. Thanks!!!