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Buzz Kidz by Laura Laughead, age 13November 2011
A Real ShowstopperYes, I am a drama queen. My father has always called me one, but now after the numerous productions I’ve been in, I must finally admit I love drama. Last year, for the Second Baptist Middle School production of Peter Pan, I was a Lost Boy. Earlier this year, I played Mark Twain complete with a … Memories of Halloween Costumes PastOctober 2011
Were you one of those gung-ho Halloween kids? The ones who bravely pushed their way up past the spider webs and creepy music strung on the front porches, despite the fact that some overhyped dad in a zombie costume was going to jump out from a dark corner? Or maybe you were more like me – the girl in the … Buzz Kidz by Françoise Wagner, age 14October 2011
Almost FamousI’ve always wanted to challenge the saying that only one in a million gets the chance to be famous in film or in music. I’m a harpist and play the prima balalaika, a three-string Russian instrument, in The Houston Balalaika Society. I also perform in hand bell choir with my mother at Second Baptist Church, and this past … Are Our Kids Too Dependent?October 2011
At parents’ night at my son’s school, I could have sworn that when the principal got to the part in her speech about not doing your children’s homework for them and allowing them to make their mistakes, her eyes fastened on me. All parents wonder at times whether they are doing enough – or too much – for their children. … Buzz Kidz by Madeleine Moorhead, age 17September 2011
Big hugs for little kidsThree years ago, my family became involved in Show Hope, a Christian non-profit that cares for special-needs orphans in China. Maria’s Big House of Hope is a special-care center in China that houses children whom the official state orphanage does not have the resources to support. After organizing several fundraisers, my family and I were … Kids in ServiceSeptember 2011
Last year, my son and I were introduced to the concept of required community-service hours. He had to do 12 hours of them to pass the sixth grade. You will, perhaps, not be surprised to learn that we forgot all about those hours until a week before they were due. During our last-minute search, we discovered many opportunities for kids … Is College Worth It?September 2011
PayPal cofounder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel recently made headlines for critiquing the “education bubble,” the newest ridicule-worthy institution since the housing bubble popped. Higher education is overvalued, underwhelming and elitist, according to Stanford-educated Thiel. That’s why he created the “20 Under 20” Fellowship. He selected 20 young “visionaries” to drop out of college and receive $100,000 to pursue an … Retro FashionAugust 2011
What’s Old is New AgainI recall my parents shaking their heads at some of my fashion choices when I was a teen, critiquing them as “so old fashioned.” Now my daughter is hunting through my closet. Too bad for her that I am not much of a pack rat. It appears I’m not the only one whose yesteryear items … Buzz Kidz by Stephen Firestone, age 18August 2011
Lights, Camera, ActionSometimes inspiration can come in the form of a small, semi-aquatic mammal. Of course, this statement requires further explanation. When I was 14 years old and on vacation in the Canadian islands of Georgian Bay, Ontario, I had the good fortune to stumble upon a mink. As I watched the unusual creature skip across the rocks and … Back Porch – Children’s Bedtime RoutinesAugust 2011
August is so strange. It’s still 100 degrees outside and sunny well into the evening hours. But somehow we’re supposed to turn our minds to new semesters, school clothes and earlier bedtimes. Even if we don’t have school-aged children, all ads focus on fall, and workweeks get a bit more pumped up. In my family, our most profound adjustment is … Academic RedshirtingAugust 2011
They are two of life’s certainties – children grow up, and parents worry if they’re making the right decisions about their education. Some pending moms and dads feel compelled to make critical school choices as soon as they learn their child’s due date. The result of this planning is a growing number of older kids in class who have received … The Summer of Busy Kids: Last Minute EscapesAugust 2011
This is the third in a three-part series on out-of-the-box ways to keep kids busy and happy this summer. Summer’s winding down, and there’s a big question looming – how are we going to make the last few weeks count? If you’ve already breezed through your summer wish list and vacations are memories in a scrapbook (or if you’re like … The Summer of Busy Kids: Exploring NatureJuly 2011
Think of an idyllic childhood, and you’re likely to conjure images of kids playing outdoors, making forts out of trees and bushes, maybe even befriending a bug or two. While those of us braving the Houston summer heat… Buzz Kidz by Mia Fares, age 9July 2011
Discovering the writer withinHello. I’ve just completed third grade at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. This year, I participated in Writers in the Schools, and I was one of 60 students the program chose to read a piece of their writing at the Houston Young Writers Reading Series: Blooms event at Discovery Green May 1. From among thousands … The Summer of Busy Kids – Art AdventuresJune 2011
This is the first in a three-part series on ways to keep kids busy and happy this summer. Houston is full of art. From the sophisticated (Museum of Fine Arts, Houston) to the trendy (galleries at 4411 Montrose) to the quirky (Beer Can House), from life-sized cows dotting lawns to modern sculpture on downtown corners. Kids are natural artists – … |
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