Saturday, November 16, 2019

10 Years, 9 Months...Smoky Mountains!

I have been busy with school activities, even after quitting piano lessons.  I am still doing choir, 5th grade Honors choir, student council, and I started publications club.  I am thrilled to work on a school paper!
We have been doing group work in class lately, and it is challenging to work with people who don't work as hard.  We are designing chicken coops, and the science director brought two hens to our class.  One almost pooped on my shoe!
Halloween was strange this year.  It was my last Monster Mash and Halloween party.  I also wasn't sure what I wanted to do, who I wanted to go with, and what I wanted to be for Halloween until the very end.  Corinne was going to go with us, so we decided to go as Pokemon trainers to surprise Emily.  Unfortunately, she couldn't come, so I did it anyway.  It was a lot of fun, but we weren't out very long.  It was so cold that night!
There have been several other activities this month.  I got to go to Lila's and clothes shopping with mom.  Dad picked us up from school a couple of times.  A few times I stayed home while Mom and Emily ran errands.  We went to Aunt Lisa's for pizza while Aunt Michele was in town.
Mom took me to her cousin Amy's Celebration of Life. I was very uncomfortable because I knew how sad everyone was.  I was able to see Papa Ron and Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom and Great-Grandma Rose and a lot of other relatives.  It was also hard because I was excited about my first  volleyball practice after.
I've been able to go to multiple Mizzou volleyball games, and even got to be ball girl a few times.  I went to Hallsville volleyball game with Dad.  And I finally started volleyball practice for my own team!!!  I didn't think we were very good the first practice, but have improved a lot as time has gone on.  I am really enjoying learning and playing and can't wait to continue!
Mom stayed in town instead of going to her counseling conference so she could go to my EEE Superhero play.  I worked so hard to learn all my lines and did great performing it!  I was "Hot Mess" who had a crush on Golden Boy and had to do some embarrassing things.  I was also "the Villain" and got to show off my sinister side!  It was a lot of fun and Mom even brought me flowers!
Our class got to go to see Tarzan the musical at Battle High School before I took the school trip to the Smoky Mountains!  I was so excited up until about an hour before we left.  Then, I started to get really nervous and wanted mom to stay until the bus left.  She stood outside in the 30 degree weather giving me the "I love you" sign with my nose pressed to the glass!  I was fine after a little bit though (of course!)  While we were there, I had a blast!  I loved all the long hikes and the views of the mountains.  It really was an amazing experience. Our drive back was uneventful until we got to Missouri.  There was a nice ice storm and it took us an extra 3 hours to get back!  We saw a meteor on the way back too (although we just thought it was lightning!)
I got really close to Nurse David (an MU nursing student) on the trip because he talked to us quite a bit.  Lila and I had an argument one night and I had a panic attack.  David was able to help me calm down.  I had another one later that night because I was worried I would have another one but the adults wouldn't let me see him. It was really hard to be back.  The first morning that we had off, I had a hard time handling my feelings.  I had a nightmare about leaving Tennessee and cried for a long time.
Emily and I went to Nana Arden's the first night back because Mom and Dad both had to work.  We had our own parent teacher conferences.  Mr. Higgins said that I am doing very well.  He reassured me about doing my own work on group projects and how to be a good group leader.  Fifth grade is stressful, but definitely better than 4th grade was!
I love Molly!
 Ready to drive!
 Working on our scale of the school in Cardinal Class
 Apple picking
 A celebrity sighting at Kohl's!
 Cake walk at the Monster Mash
 Surely the two clowns will win for best costume!

 Crazy donut at our school Halloween party
 My pumpkin-Harry Potter Deathly Hollows
A Pokemon trainer!
Emily thought my costume was pretty cool (and let me try to pull out her tooth!)
Going for our cold and quick trip around the neighborhood
Volleyball time-reunited with Ali!
 With Katie and Kayla
With Tyanna and Rylie
Mopping the volleyball floor

 My former Girls on the Run coach Annabelle (who plays in the MU band)
 With Katie and Kayla again
And Tyanna and Rylie again
 Mopping the floors again!
Palming the volleyball at the MU vs. Tennessee game
What do you know?  Katie and Kayla again
 And Tyanna and Rylie (good thing they always say yes to the pictures!)
With my friend Kaylee
 And here's Rylie...
 And Kayla...
 And Katie!
I looked everywhere for Tyanna, but she was in the locker room.  Would you believe Rylie took me back there to see her?!?!
 You can't see it, but I turned this shirt into a Tyanna jersey (with #9 and Omazic on the back!)
Lila and me hanging out with Truman at the far side of the court
 Two of the best-Rylie and Ali!
Last one with Katie
 And Kayla
 And Rylie
 The Superheroes classroom (I am Hot Mess-the one in pink in the middle)
Me as "The Villain"
 I was able to show off my evil side!
 And after I got caught, I was sentenced to being a boring business person
 Mom was able to make it and brought me flowers
 Lila and me
 First volleyball practice, attempting to put up the nets
 Action shots
Nighttime picture with Emily
 Ready for the Smoky Mountains trip (nervous and excited)
Thank goodness I have good friends going with me-Lila, Olga, and Isabel
 Ready for the bus!
The first day-tired from the long overnight bus trip!
 Hiking with Lila
 With Lila and Madelyn
 Lunch time!
 Happy girl!
 Learning about the mountains
 Exploring
 My small group
 Noticing something new
 Getting noticed by someone!
 Great Smoky Mountains National Park sign
 Checking out the river
 Our long 5 mile hike
 Beautiful scenery



 Chilling on the ground at night with Olga
We found our salamander! And going on another hike!

 With Madeline, Isabel, and Bella
Dipping my head in the water-the Tremont challenge
Throwing the ball out to Tyanna for the serve
Trying to pull out Emily's tooth (which I actually did weeks later!)

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