Saturday, April 17, 2021

12 Years, 2 Months...End of volleyball, Beginning of normal school

I got my hair cut and went to the dentist for the first time in a long time this month. Easter was also very different this year, but for a different reason.  We had a volleyball tournament over Easter weekend, so we celebrated early.  I went shopping with mom because Papa Rick and Nana Peggy gave us money for Easter.  I discovered that I really love everything at Michael's and Hobby Lobby!

We had our last volleyball tournament, which was National Qualifiers in Kansas City.  I went in believing that we could win it all!  There were so many teams in Bartle Hall.  We did not play great on the first day and lost all of our matches.  That put us in either the Bronze or Copper bracket.  We played much better the second day, so we were placed in the Bronze bracket.  We played Performance again for a vindication match, but lost.  We just were not playing our best.  I was really sad to say good-bye to my teammates.  I will especially miss Landrie because she is a year younger and won't play on our team next year.

The other excitement is that we went back to school 5 days a week.  I was pretty nervous about everything changing-different kids in my classes, the bus would be more crowded, the halls more packed.  It has been ok, but I really do miss my virtual learning time at home.  We also did MAP testing which was very tiring.  One fun thing is that I joined the school play.  It is a comedy about working at a help desk.  I got two parts, one where I call the help desk to break up with my boyfriend, and the other as a worker who doesn't want to be there.  I overheard the director tell someone else that I was a natural during auditions.  I really enjoy being on the stage!

Nighttime with Athena in my loft bed


Easter egg decorating with the family
Precision
Our handiwork


Eating without utensils
Ready for Easter
Hunting
The loot

Gifts from Papa Rick and Nana Peggy

Emily made this poster for us at home
Ready for Regionals

Attack!
Our team, ready to go!

Back row: Lanie, Lila, Landrie, Anna, me.  Front row: Ada, Taylor, Jayden
Between games

More action
Serving
Our best playing day of the weekend
A moment with Mom
Hanging out with Lila



Day 2
Serving
Ready to play
A small portion of the facility
Pumped to play Performance
Me and Landrie
Me, Landrie, and Taylor
Jayden, me, Landrie, and Taylor
Me and Taylor
Eating without utensils (and other obstacles!)
Charades to find our Easter baskets from Papa Rick and Nana Peggy

Hunting for our Easter eggs (pre-teen style and attitude)

My Easter gifts
Serving at Regionals
Good rally, until the end when Taylor and I crashed into each other

Friday, March 19, 2021

12 Years, 1 Month...Volleyball and getting out a little more!

This has been a busier month than usual.  Emily wanted D. Rowe's for her birthday dinner so I ate my fill of sweet potato fries!  The next morning, we got donuts for breakfast and cake for dessert at lunch to celebrate.  We did all of this before her birthday because Dad and I went to Springfield for a volleyball tournament.  We got 2nd in the tournament!!!  We played "the Furnaces" (Performance) for first and lost.  The medals also didn't come in because of a delay so we hope to get them sometime soon.  

Mom and I headed to Kansas City for another volleyball tournament.  We got second in pool play but lost in the first round of the gold bracket.  The best part of the weekend was that Mom took me to Jill's house and I got to see Ale (and get licked by her!)  We also went to an ice cream shop that was really good but empty so we were able to eat inside with Jill and Lila and her mom.  We got Fazoli's and brought it back to Jill's house for more Ale puppy love!

I have been working hard at school and it sometimes wears me out!  One day, I couldn't think of the word milk, and I could only come up with "white water."  I need some sleep!  I did make the A Honor Roll though.

One weekend, Mom signed Emily and me up to do an Optimist Club hunt.  It was a lot like geocaching and started out fun but took a long time.  We had to find 10 locations and different parks and read a line for their creed.  With a lot of driving around and walking, we ended up finishing it.  Emily won a gift card!

Our family did pictures at our house with Marion.  Everyone thinks I look like a 15 year old.  We went to Nana Arden's a couple of times with Aunt Lisa's family since the weather has been nicer.  Athena also finished up her last puppy class.

Mom also took us to Washington for a day.  We hung out with Papa Ron on his back porch and had a really good time.  Then we went to Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom's house.  We ate lunch and opened our birthday presents.  I got a new water bottle for volleyball and a whole bunch of new things to decorate my room.  I'm really looking forward to redoing my room in neutral colors.  We also got to go to Orange Leaf!

After spring break, all schools in the district are going to 5 day weeks.  That will be quite a difference.  I was getting used to virtual and would almost prefer it.  We will see how it goes!

Loving on Molly

Let's play some volleyball!

Serving

Diving for the ball

For the kill!
Post game pictures


2nd place!
Special visit with Ale at Jill's after the tournament
Lila came with us too!
Basketball with Nana Arden on Wednesdays

Never too old for the swings


Birthday gifts at Grandma and Grandpa's


Playing with Emily's new Pokemon toys
Bubbles with Grandma Kathy

Silly puppy!

Family photo shoot pictures



12 or 15 years old?

Racing Emily and Corinne

Volleyball serving aces



Bubbles with Grandma Kathy