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!
With Madeline, Isabel, and Bella
