Tess--Fourth Grade 2011-12

Tess turned the big 1-0 on September 4th. We surprised her with a new Diamondback mountain bike, style named "The Tess". It's a pretty expensive bike for a 10 year old, but how could we not buy a bike that had her name on it? We surprised her with the bike and she has already ridden our money's worth out of it. Thanks to her Unkie John her bike is now tricked out with a bell(annoying) and a light(for night time rides?) which she thinks is pretty darn cool. And thanks to some birthday cash, she bought an uber expensive water bottle and holder.....all because it was cool looking and she could.

Tess started the fourth grade this year and is loving it. We are blessed with a oldest daughter that loves school, loves to learn, and enjoys the social scene without being a social butterfly. She just got her "driver's license" in math (involved passing a timed math facts test) and has already done her required oral book reports for the quarter. This year they get to really get their hands dirty with science experiments and their social studies class is devoted to learning about the State of Missouri. She is skipping the drama club performance this semester to try rec. league volleyball, and she has been practicing for her upcoming piano and voice recital in October. This is her first year getting to be involved with Kids for Christ at church and I am thrilled that this is the beginning of a long and exciting journey of learning about her faith and putting that faith into action. We are learning that the older she gets the mouthier she gets and we are in constant limbo between encouraging her to express her sassy self and wanting to ground her for the snarky comments that she says. Even with that being said, she is my first born blessing, and we are so very proud of her, even though I can't possibly be old enough to have a ten year old.

Tess--first day of fourth grade--2011