Maggie's Blog

Maggie's Blog http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/ Thoughts and musings of Maggie en-us Nucleus CMS v3.51 Â© Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://sheldonhickey.com/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif Maggie's Blog http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/ <![CDATA[Happy holidays!]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=88

Ella and I ventured out into the arctic wilderness that is our backyard over the weekend. Dad said we needed to work on building character, so he made us build a snow den and live off the land over the weekend. Luckily Mama brought us hot chocolate and brought our DVD player out so we could watch movies in our igloo.

I was so cold when we got back inside, I had to go through three cycles in the dryer before I had unfrozen! We have a video of Ella bobsledding down our backyard mountain. Dad will post it on our homepage soon. In the meantime, you can check out the other Xmas pictures here - Xmas 2007.

In other big news...I had my debut theatrical performance at school last week. I was a wild cheetah. I was hoping they would let me provide a more extemporaneous study of this complex and misunderstood character in the play. I was thinking that the cheetah should pounce on the lead actors and maybe charge into the audience to cause a bit more chaos, but instead we had to just march across the stage holding hands with all the other cheetahs. Ella has grown tired of the food mama and dad eat, so she shops the circulars looking for deals on lobster tails and filet mignon. I just started the ketogenic diet (it is kind of like the Atkins diet). Mama and Dad say that it will control my seizures and I can reduce my seizure meds. Of course, just to keep things complicated for them, I decided to start eating by mouth again. We'll see how well they can handle this latest twist of chaos.

That is all for now. Have safe holidays and may the new year bring you lots of smiles and more peace in the world.

Maggie out.]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=88 Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:38:20 -0800 <![CDATA[I am a Star (Again)]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=87
The 2008 Calendar of Angels was shipped from here to Hong Kong and lots of other places around the world this week. Once again, it features me and all my friends doing what we do best – having fun! If you have not seen the calendar this year, check it out on my website - click here. You can order your copy from that same webpage.

We had a fun Halloween I was a rainbow and Ella was a devil during the day and a chicken at night! We had a blast going around the neighbourhood. The only thing I don’t understand about trick-or-treating is why my parents would not let me walk into the house and hang out when the people who answered the door and clearly wanted me to visit with them. They kept forcing me to rush to the next house to get more and more candy for them. Making us work all night collecting candy from every house in the neighbourhood has got to violate so many labour codes, not to mention their bad habit taking candy from the little children of the house at the end of the night.

Aunt Margaret came to see me. We had a great visit. I showed her all my favourite things to do. Thanks for coming up to see me! Ari and the whole gang came up to visit me too. We took little Mia to the playtrium, but Mama would not let me and Ari send her down the two-story slide. You can see videos of the rest of us cascading down the slide and little Ella doing household chores on my homepage - Maggie's Family Website - just scroll down to the big blue squares and push play. You can see more pictures of our adventures in my big photo gallery - Ari's awesome visit.

It is starting to get cold up here in Canada. Dad refuses to turn on the furnace. He says turning it on will be my Christmas present this year. I have to go into the dryer to warm up! Otherwise things are good up here. I will miss the big turkey day events with everybody in St. Louis tomorrow. At least I get to go to school and don’t have to stay home all day with Dad. That’s all for now.
Maggie out.
]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=87 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:24:50 -0800 <![CDATA[Abducted by Space Aliens]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=86

(Secretary’s note: As most of you probably know, Maggie spent the month of September in the hospital. She was very seriously ill from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, ARDS. Essentially she went into respiratory arrest and had to be kept on a ventilator in the ICU for 16 days. In typical Maggie fashion, she has bounced back with a smile and a chuckle, but the rest of us are still in recovery. She has already started walking again and will go to junior kindergarten full time this week. There is no reason to expect any permanent lung damage, but we need to keep a careful eye on things this winter. We are especially grateful for all of the support we received from people near and far during this whole ordeal.)

Yeah, when I finally got home, Grandma Pat was there keeping Ella in line – and that’s not an easy thing to do these days. I hear my great aunt Margaret is planning to come visit soon too! Congratulations on retirement Margaret – more time to travel and for visiting me! My playgroup friends in Ithaca made me a cool blanket that protected me from the evil space aliens while I was in the ICU; now Mama has made this cool one for Ainsley in Chicago who has been very sick with the same space alien thing. Ooops, I think the whole blanket thing for Ainsley is still a secret so don’t tell anyone in Chicago about that.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends, especially all the cool nurses up on the ICU floor – you guys totally rock! Thanks for all the cards and toys. My sister loves the singing cards – she even tries to sing along with them! My parents never would have made it through all this without all you guys watching my back – thanks.

Maggie out.
]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=86 Sat, 6 Oct 2007 19:48:51 -0700 <![CDATA[Birthday-o-rama]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=85

We took the boys to Fort Henry for a little hard rock and heavy metal adventuring. It is the old fort here in Kingston built in the 1800s to keep the Yanks out. They have these huge canons, but I guess all that stuff did not work to keep us out. Dad and Ella freaked out when they saw that I got my own rifle and license to shoot it in the house from the drill sergeant.

We were all a bit shocked that Malakai and Jericho signed up to join the British army! They made Malakai march up and down the square and practice charging. We went to the big park and romped on the play structure. Jericho sat on the lion – what a crazy guy!

All this adventuring was just too much for Ella! Of course my parents must have been tired too because they did not wake us up once that night! Imagine that, letting me sleep through the night. We need to have Patrick and Susan over for more play dates to tire out Mama and Dad. Safe journey back to Wisconsin and thanks for the cool books!

Maggie out.]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=85 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:32:37 -0700 <![CDATA[The Big Number 4]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=84
My Dad was acting all like “let’s admire the cake” like it was some fancy ‘object d’art.’ For me, art appreciation is a full contact sport. My sister Ella treats every meal like a full body brawl with her cup of yogurt.

We had a great visit to St. Louis this summer. There was the big Magster Fan Club Conference there. Lots of my friends were there. Dr. T from Boston came out to see me. Ari was there from New York and like hundreds of other cool kids. It was totally wicked. Check out the pictures on our website of all the cool people who were there – Angelman Syndrome Foundation Bi-annual conference.

Mama got me a totally new wardrobe. I am gonna be the most stylin kid in junior kindergarten. I start school after labour day. I am scheduled to get my tonsils removed before school. They say it should help prevent me from getting those weird viruses. I say let’s take out Dad’s tonsils instead and turn off the freight train snores coming out of his mouth at night. Malakai and Jericho are coming to see me this weekend, so I will send out another blog with more stories from the summer soon. Until then, show those birthday cakes that you are not afraid to plant your face right in the middle and take a bite out of them.

Maggie out.
]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=84 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:39:58 -0700 <![CDATA[La Grande Marche Au Montreal]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=83
Me and my Little Sis packed up the parents and went to Montreal last week end for the big walk-a-thon. It was huge! The weather was perfect and all my friends were there. Check out the pictures – Montreal Walk-a-Thon 2007. Luca and Emma and everyone did a fantastic job! Thanks to everybody who sponsored us here and in St. Louis (see, I can be in two places at once!) Of course, a big thank you to Luca’s Mum and Dad for putting us up in their hotel.

I had my big trip out to Boston last month. I got to stay with Joshua and see Auntie Karen and Eric and Siena. Big congratulations to my cousin Siena who graduated from high school this past weekend – you rock! Check out the photos of the trip here – Boston April 2007.

We flew in a tiny little plane out to Boston and back. They call themselves Angel Flights and the organization flies families for free to medical appointments. The pilots are all volunteers and he even let me fly the plane! Dad weighs too much, so as the pilot, I would not let him get on the plane with us. Well OK, I did not fly the plane, but I did drive the train in Boston. Here is the picture of me wearing the conductors hat!

Winter is over and life is good in Canada. I have time to kick back and put my feet up on the table. I have been bouncing Ella around in the bouncy castle. We have even more pictures of our spring adventures – April and May 2007. We are in training for a big summer of visitors and back yard chaos. Hopefully Malakai and Jamesy and William and Jericho will all be able to visit us this summer.

Blog ya later.

Maggie out.]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=83 Mon, 21 May 2007 20:32:35 -0700 <![CDATA[Meet Moe the dog!]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=82 Well just in case things were getting a little too normal chez Magster, we have decided to add 35 pounds of furry energy to the house. Meet Moe – my schnoodle puppy. Moe is a mix between a standard poodle and a big schnauzer, which means he has a very orderly German side and a more dramatic French side to him. Me and Ella think he is way cool.

Moe is my service dog, which I think means I get to train him to pull me around while I stand up in my wagon. (Secretary’s note: Moe was bred in the States as a service dog, but his first family could not keep him. We are grateful to Tami and Harli for helping to send him our way.) He is supposed to get bigger, so I am hoping to be able to put a saddle on him and ride him like my horse!

Big news on the Ella front. I told her I was not gonna carry her around, so she would just have to learn to move on her own – so she has started crawling! She is not too graceful, but she can get across the living room. She is already pulling herself up to stand, so I am sure she will be running around the house in no time. I can not wait to teach her how to climb the stairs when Mama is not watching!

Check out our most recent pictures here – April 2007 Photo Gallery. The big walk-a-thon is coming up. Thanks to Gramma Great and Great Granddad and Barb for sponsoring me! Everyone still has time to sponsor me, just visit my fundraising page – Sponsor Team Magster! That is all the big news for now. Remember, if you love your dog, you need to lick his face!

Maggie out.
]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=82 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 09:39:37 -0700 <![CDATA[Join Team Magster]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=81

I got to see my friend Ari and her Mom in Ithaca. She is gonna have a little baby brother this summer. Ari will be a great big sister, just like me. I let Little El have her own mosh pit with Mauricio the hair guy and Desmond the baby bruiser. We had a great time – thanks Leti and Fernando for letting me play with all your toys and cause chaos in the house!

We are getting ready for the big Angelman Syndrome Foundation walk-a-thon. I am president of Team Magster and Little El is my collections agent and pledge enforcer. We have our very own fundraising website where you can sign up to be my sponsor. Sponsor Team Magster!

We are joining our friends in Montreal for the walk again this year, but we will be in St. Louis in spirit, and hopefully in the form of webpage donations too! If you are part of my Canadian fan club, I will be sending out sponsor forms for the Montreal walk soon. Part of the fundraising helps us hold our big ASF conference. It is going to be in St. Louis this July – how cool is that!!!

That is all the news for now. The snow has nearly all melted away , so I am hoping we can get the pool set up this week. Until then, climb into the fireplace, you will get an extra bath!!!

Maggie out.

]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=81 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:57:56 -0700 <![CDATA[Dad Gets Older]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=80 Daddy’s Birthday Video. We also have a new photo album of his birthday, but we forgot to take any pictures of him, so it is just me and Ella – as it should be! Daddy’s B-Day Photo Album.

I am teaching Ella how to stand up on her own so we put up a dance studio bar and mirror in the living room. First I show her what to do, then I let her try, then she flies solo – totally awesome. Mama is worried that I am going to teach her how to run around the house by the end of the month. Just wait until I teach her how to climb the tree in the backyard this summer!!!

Dad heads to New York City next week, so we are making a road trip to Ithaca to see the old gang. I am officially enrolled in Junior Kindergarten! Everyone is so nice – I am so excited to rule the playground. The snow is finally starting to melt, but Dad says we have to wait until the snow is all gone before he will put water in the pool outside and go swimming. Where is his dedication? In the meantime, I have started swimming lessons on Thursday mornings. Dad almost has the doggie paddle down.

Well that is all the news for now. I am getting my walking shoes ready. The big Angelman Syndrome Walk-a-thon is coming up in Montreal. More details in my next blog. Until then – Laugh until you mean it!!!

Maggie out.
]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=80 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:42:53 -0700 <![CDATA[A Wintery Blog]]> http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=79 We are in the middle of winter here in Canada. The days are short, the nights are long, the temperature is like negative 40, and Dad moves like molasses. We have been holed up here – it’s too cold to go out. Poor Ella has resorted to gnawing on chicken bones! But we are surviving and having a good time keeping Mama and Dad on their toes. Check out our latest pictures here - February 2007 Photos

Talking about chicken bones, Ella is a total carnivore. You would think we were still living by the feast or famine of the great hunt the way Ella keeps a death grip on her chicken carcasses. I keep telling her, “Relax, we are going to the grocery store on Tuesday!” I have my new Bard button for my tummy. I will still eat your occasional chocolate brownie, otherwise I just pull up to Mama and Dad’s full service feeding station, get tanked up in two minutes and go! When you move as fast as I do, who has time for salads. Me and Ella made our first movie together. Go to our home page and scroll down to MagElla Productions - Our Family Website

Still, I try to help out in the kitchen. Lately I have been helping Mama chop garlic. School is going great. Me and Mama are gonna visit the neighborhood school soon to enroll in junior kindergarten. I can’t wait! I still ride my horse Pete on Tuesdays and we get to start swimming every Thursday – woo hoo! Ella is starting to roll all over the floor – which makes my chase and pounce game all the more fun!

We had an awesome visit with everybody in Dallas! I even got to meet Joshua and his family – it was so much fun. Check out our photos here - Dallas 2007 Joshua, I hear you are gonna have another sister soon! That is so cool – let chaos rain down like manna from heaven Joshua. They may put it back together, but you can still take everything apart!
That is all the news for now. Like my friend Holly says – SMILE, it confuses people.
Maggie out.
]]> General http://sheldonhickey.com/blog/index.php?itemid=79 Sun, 18 Feb 2007 18:19:32 -0800