Tess

Tess started 5th grade this year and is loving the changing of class rooms for different subjects, as well as the challenges of learning to live out of a locker instead of a desk.  She was also referred to test for the Beyond Basics(gifted program at Kearney) classes. She is excited about a reading program that requires participants to complete a set number of books by the spring. Tess has already read 7 of the 10 since school started. She is easily our most anxious child regarding our duplex life.

Tess finished summer basketball with the competitive team at the end of August. She had a good summer, learned a lot, improved her skills, and made new friends. They didn't win many games, but the season was still a success on a personal level. We aren't sure how much farther to go with basketball yet. She has a love-hate relationship with the game. She loves the defense part, but still needs confidence and skills for the offensive side of the game. Her volleyball season starts on Monday and we are super excited. Of course I want her to play volleyball because it is near and dear to my heart-the only sport where my short legs and average ability earned me distinction in the atheletic world. Tess loves for me to talk about my days as an "All District Setter" for high school volleyball...she doesn't care that it was for the smallest school size in the state. I would love for her to play "club" volleyball. I would also love for someone else to pay for it.

Tess started singing with the newly formed Liberty Youth Chorus. A group of kids, dedicated to singing, with a director who is passionate about teaching young minds to love music---yes, please! They get to sing at the Liberty Fall Festival parade, the Liberty Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, and have a winter concert at Gano Chapel on William Jewell Campus.