Friday, March 16, 2018

9 Years, 1 Month...Highs and lows

More to come...


The day after my birthday was a day of party prep since it was a day off school!  Mommy and I went shopping and I was really excited to make the "confession stand" (concession stand) for my party food.  I helped make the cupcakes and turn them into volleyballs and Rudolphs!  The Moenkhoffs came over later that day and I had a blast playing with Ashley and Ian.  They spent the night so they could be here for my 9th and Emily's 4th birthday party.  It was so great having so many family members here to celebrate.
The next day was my friend volleyball birthday party.  I had such a blast!  Gabe, Madelyn, Ella, Iris, Cami, Samantha, Carrie, and Brynn were all there.  I was definitely in my element.  And then the biggest surprise of all…Mommy arranged for Ali Kreklow to be there!  I absolutely could not believe it and had a smile on my face the whole time.  She played volleyball with me and my friends, stayed for the volleyball cupcakes, and even brought a special gift.  She framed two pictures of us, and gave me some stationery and stamps so we could write back and forth.  Then, Gabe got to come home with us for a few hours to hang out.  Best birthday ever!
The downside was that night.  I was up really late crying because I was so sad I wouldn't see Ali again.  She promised me I would, and she is helping coach the volleyball camp this summer again!  I am already signed up and can't wait!  Good thing we didn't have school the next day.  We did our birthday pictures and went to Applebee's.  I ended up throwing up in bed that night around 2AM.  (I later found out Cami was doing the same thing.)  Mom thought it was because of all the party food, but I ended up with a 99.8 degree temperature the next day and was not feeling well, so we went home at 10:30.  I was mostly better the next day, which was Emily's birthday and Girls on the Run.
We had another late start at school because of the weather.  We had a family movie night and Emily got to pick.  She chose her new My Little Pony movie, and I think I was just as excited as she was to watch it!  I had another volleyball game and then Cami got to spend the night.  That day was so nice that we got to play outside.  Spring is coming!
I had my last volleyball game and served 3 aces!  I would love to play another session, but soccer starts soon.  I'm excited to be able to play year round volleyball next year, as I don't plan to sign up for soccer again.  Ella spent the night and I went to Church with her family two weeks in a row.  I really felt stupid during the first Sunday school class, but seemed to know more of what was going on the second week.  I had a blast with Ella and her family, but felt a little disappointed and jealous when I came home and found out Mommy and Emily played in the snow that morning.
I went to a Girls on the Run cookie decorating event at a sorority house and met up with Madelyn.  I really enjoyed talking with all the college girls and hammed it up when I had to switch tables and ended up being the only little one there.  I loved the attention they gave me and I made a tower of 9 cookies!  I can't help it the girl kept going back to get more for me!
We are working really hard in choir for our upcoming concert (Rock in the 50s).  I get to play a grandma and Gabe is a grandpa and Mrs. Renwick said we are hilarious!  I really enjoy the choreography and the music.
The hardest part of the month was when we found out that our 5th grade student Lizzie died after her 16 month long battle with cancer.  She was so loved and even though I don't really remember her, I loved her.  I donated my hair in her honor.  She was such a strong girl and I pray for her family. 
Rocking out with Ariel before our party
Family photo
Excited about my presents
A sweet little raccoon and my rainbow scarf
A Wrinkle in Time book!
Playing volleyball with my friends


Surprised by Ali!

Learning from Ali
Pure joy and happiness
Showing my stuff

 Volleyball net decoration
Picture with Gabe, my first friend at Cedar Ridge
We all couldn't leave Ali's side
The food spread
It wouldn't be right unless I got a picture like this with her!
Blowing out the candle on my volleyball cupcake
Watching Ali's brother play basketball on TV (and getting ready for a selfie!)
The whole crew (minus Emily)
Presents from Ali
So incredibly happy
I love her soooo much!
And of course I had to put the Legos together the next morning!
Cat scarf, crocheted by Kristy
Playing volleyball at my birthday party
Birthday surprise from Ali!
Playing volleyball with Ali

Sunday, February 18, 2018

9 Years Old...Branching out and getting older!

We had a snow day the day after MLK day.  We went to Kohl's and Old Navy as a family before doing the volleyball practice and dance at night.  Since they start at the same time and Daddy had to be at work one Tuesday night, I went into volleyball practice by myself while Mommy took Emily to dance.  I was really nervous, but it gave me confidence to do it in the future.  I have had several volleyball games.  The pace is picking up a little, although our schedule has changed several times and there are now only two teams to play against each other.
Brynn and I spent the night at Bella's house on a Saturday night.  It had been a long time since it had been just the "big kids".  It was nice to have some time without Emily being around.  Ella also came over for a sleepover one night, and Corinne came over to play then next day.  It snowed a little bit and we went outside, but there wasn't much we could do in the snow.  It was nice to get outside though!  We have had a couple snow days and a late start because of the snow and ice.  Another day, I went to my volleyball game, then Bella's birthday party at Paint the Town, and then a sleepover at Ella's.  It was a busy afternoon!
One night when Daddy had to work late, we had a girls' night!  It was fun watching a movie and eating ice cream, and trying a sleepover in Emily's room.  That went bad very quickly when Emily wouldn't stay in her room and kept getting up.  I was tired and wanted to go to bed, but she kept me up.  I ended up going to my room to sleep while Mommy kept trying to get her to go to sleep.  She can be a pest sometimes.
We went over to Nana Arden's to visit her one Sunday after she broke her shoulder.  It was hard seeing her just sitting, because she normally plays with us a lot.
Choir has started back up and I am really getting into the choreography.  We are doing a 50s theme.  I tried out for a part, and I am a grandma with Gabe being the grandpa.  I joined the spring Girls on the Run team and I am enjoying it so far.  We have some different coaches and I really like them too.
I have had to stay after school while Mommy has meetings or is catching up on work, and even though I don't always want to, I try to help out her or other teachers when I can.  I really just like to either sit and read or watch YouTube videos.
I had a Learning Fair at EEE to show off my project in my Celts class.  Mommy was able to make it and I was really glad I could show her my Hadrian's Wall that I created.  I was really nervous, but I made it through!
My birthday week was busy with Valentine's day to start.  We had our parties at school, and Daddy sent me some chocolate covered strawberries.  I was so surprised!  It was a shame that Mommy had to work on my birthday, so we celebrated on Valentine's day!  For my birthday, Mommy and I made almond bark pretzels with sprinkles.  I love them and they are so fun to make!  I got a volleyball net!  I can't wait to set it up and play in the backyard!  I had my parent teacher conference on my birthday.  I had a very good report and my parents and teachers (Mrs. Mantle and Miss Ferguson-student teacher) were very proud of me.  I still need to work on my spelling and multiplication facts, but I am doing great in everything else!
I can't wait to update next month and share about my birthday parties!
Doughnut treat!
Rocking out with Iris on Garage Band during STEAM Night at school
Coloring break at the library
Marble run!
Volleyball practice (I am setting on the other side of the net in turquoise)
Volleyball game (I am #5 in the middle)
Super Bowl tradition (pizza rolls picnic)
Holding Blakely (Mrs. Gross' daughter) during a work day at school
Reading to Emily
Never too old for princess dress up!
My volleyball Valentine's day box




Showing off my Celts book at the EEE Learning Fair
Painting at Bella's birthday party
I was such a perfectionist that I was the last one finished
My birthday stuffies from Emily!
My "pur-maid" shirt!
The necklace from a shirt I wanted (it broke less than 2 days later!)
Palm tree earrings
And a volleyball net!
Valentine selfie with Mom!
Doughnuts for my birthday treat at home!
Service ACE!
Reading to Emily
Happy birthday to Ellie
A volleyball net!!!