Saturday, September 15, 2018

9 Years, 7 Months...volleyball and friends!

This month has been full of volleyball and get-togethers with friends!  I attended the Black and Gold Clinic and Scrimmage with Ella, and she spent the night afterward.  The game was pretty awesome even though Ali doesn't play anymore because she sat next to us during an entire set!
I finished up the first volleyball clinic and absolutely loved it!  I learned so much and can't wait for it to start up again in the spring.  Daddy set up my volleyball net from my birthday and I play as often as I can.  Better late than never!
Our 3rd-5th grade went on our first field trip-to and MU volleyball game!!! It was the "best field trip ever!" I got to see Ali and Miss Ferguson there.  I was totally in my happy zone.  That night, our family went to a potluck at Emily's preschool, and Bella was there because her sister will start there soon.  Mom was going to take me to the went to MU volleyball game that night, and we took Bella with us!  Two games in one day, plus we went to the MU game the next day with Madelyn and then I spent the night at her house.  This was after Mom and I ran in Lizzy's Walk of Faith 5k.  It was really hard because we had not been running much lately.  I came in at a time of 28:11 (not too shabby!)
I was able to go to Carrie's swimming birthday party and sleepover.  Ella spent the night another night.  As a family, we went to Corinne's birthday party, and to Aunt Lisa's for Labor Day.  I really enjoy playing with my cousins.  I also love playing the piano.  It has been so much fun learning new songs including Ode to Joy.  It really is coming naturally to me.
School hasn't been the most fun for me this year and I really miss our old, small school and Mrs. Mantle.  I'm not happy to get up and go in the morning.  I often stress about getting enough DOJO points for the week because I am gone one day a week for EEE.  Miss Geha recently said that she wouldn't require us to make up the points for the days we are gone, and I was so relieved (even though I always got all the points I needed!)  I'm hoping that makes a difference in how I feel about school.
I did get to go to the Mommy and Me Breakfast at school.  I was really surprised that Mom was able to make it because she had a meeting that morning.  She told me that I was more important than a meeting!
I also had a rite of passage in elementary school this month-the nurse found nits in my hair!  One of my friends told me she had lice, and I started scratching later that day.  Sure enough, I had eggs!  Gross!  I had so many questions for her and she sat me down to watch a video to understand better.  We had to do two treatments at home, my hair was literally combed with a fine toothed comb daily, our stuffed animals were bagged up, and all of our clothes and bedding was washed.  What a mess, but they are gone!
I have had some fun times with Emily.  She was convinced that her Puppy that she sleeps with lost his tooth.  I decided I needed to play "dog fairy" and made sure the water changed in the glass and he was given a dog treat.  Emily has also started playing soccer.  Her first game was played in the pouring rain! Papa Ron and Nana Carol were able to make it and I spent the game watching from the back of their SUV.  Her next game was today in the blazing heat!
Mrs. Geha's First Day of Fourth Grade picture
 Playing at the Black and Gold Clinic
 Watching the Black and Gold Scrimmage with Ella
 Ali sat with me through one whole set!
 Working together to create the longest chain
 Getting to know you games


 Dr. Taylor brought Penny in for me to see!
 Goofiness at Grant's birthday party
 The girl cousins
 Playing soccer in the rain with Emily before her game

 Reading with Molly and Twist
 With Bella at a volleyball game
 And we sat right in front of Ali!!!
 With a cheerleader named Maddie
So excited that Daddy set up my volleyball net from my birthday!
Family game time
If no one else will play with me, Emily will do!

 So excited to see Charlie before Lizzy's 5k
 Hanging out with Madelyn before the race
Action shots
 Sweating with Mom after the 5k
MU Golden Girls!
 A moment of calm with Emily
 Ready for MU VB game #3 for the weekend!
 And of course, I found Ali!
 Perhaps my new favorite player Tyanna
We love to dance to the ending credits of any movie!
Helping Emily warm up before her first soccer game
Family volleyball

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

9 1/2 Years Old...New activities, new school year!

I got to start this month with the Mizzou volleyball camp!  Even though Ali is finished with her eligibility, she still worked the camp so I got to be with her this week!  Even though I didn't make the competitive team, I got to start a developmental volleyball program with Molly at the end of this month that will last 8 sessions.  It is basically practices to learn volleyball skills.  Lila is doing it with me!
We also went with Aunt Lisa and family to see Shrek the Musical.  It was really funny and I really enjoyed the Big Bad Wolf and Donkey the most.  Ironically, Ella and Gabe were both there with their families, just a row in front of us!  We ended up watching Shrek the movie and Shrek the musical on Netflix in the next week.
I am learning a few new things.  After trying for years, I finally learned how to ride my bike!  In fact, Mom and I went on several bike rides on the trail, riding under I-70 and Hwy. 63!  I am also starting piano lessons with Mrs. Renwick.  I am really loving it and don't complain at all about practicing.  Mrs. Renwick said that not only are my hands and fingers made for playing, that I am also a natural in how I play and learn.  She is excited to push me harder!
I was able to spend a few days at Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom's again this summer.  We spent most of the time at home per my choice, but we did go back to Grant's Farm to see all the animals.  I just can't get enough of dogs!
Grandma Kathy and I talked a lot about my worries while I was there, and she gave me a special rosary.  I have to hold it every night before I go to sleep, and Mom taught me how to say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.  That calms me before I go to sleep.
I was able to have a play date with Cami at our house and another one at her house.  It was hard getting together with my friends this summer because of vacation schedules.  Mom's friend Stacey and her son Carter came for a visit one evening.  It was so much fun to have a baby around.  I kind of wish Emily was that small again.
Our family went to Little Mate's Cove for Emily's school party one night.  It is a little young for me, but it was nice to get in the water.  Our family also went roller-skating.  It was fun, but exhausting.  I wish that I had a friend there though to skate with.  Mom and I also went to Miss Rachel's for Lennon's 2nd birthday party.  I just love being with them (and their dogs!)  I played washers and corn hole, and did really well for my first time.
I got more excited the closer it came for school to start!  I spent some time in Mom's office, helping her decorate. I think it looks really bright and cheery.  We had a special open house for the public to see the school, and then Meet the Teacher night.  When Mom went back to work for meetings and I couldn't go with her, I spent time at Aunt Lisa's with my cousins.  We went swimming and to Sky Zone, and Corinne and I did a photo shoot for her bunny Bean!
So, I started 4th grade one day and turned 9 1/2 the next.  I really am growing too.  I am now 4'11!
Building with Emily
 Enjoying volleyball camp
 With Annika, a new MU player
 And of course, with Ali
Goofing around with Corinne after Shrek
 Princess Emily and Donkey Ellie
 Princess Ellie and Shrek Emily
With the hilarious donkey
 And Ella was there too!
 The annual driving picture
 Helping give Molly a bath
 I can ride a bike now!
 Learning to play the piano!
 We found Mr. Foster at Kohl's!
 With all the animals at Grant's Farm








Enjoying our ice cream cone break!
 We found these beautiful Australian Shepards
Skee ball at Bonkers
 Playing corn hole at Lennon's party

 Giving love to Charlie and Kiki
 Spray park fun
Helping Emily forget about her boo-boo
 Playing with Carter
 Roller skating
Emily's 1st day of pre-K
First day of 4th grade, Teacher: Miss Geha, I want to be a stager and teacher, 8/14/18

Emily and Nemo wanted to get in the picture
In front of our new beautiful school
 Lots of growth will happen here over the next two years
My 4th grade teacher, Miss Geha
Learning how to ride my bike
I've got it!
Now learning to play the piano
Playing at the spray park with Emily
Distracting Emily from her "boo-boo" with a magic trick!
Roller-skating