Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Battle of the Books

Five months ago, my daughter, Tiffany told me that our granddaughter, KC was doing her best to read the required 12 of 18 books in order to qualify for the Battle of the Books competition at her school. The contest is for 4th and 5th graders. Not only did KC qualify, she read all 18 books! I was extremely proud of her.

All children who qualified were evenly divided into eight groups of three with equal numbers of 4th and 5th graders so nobody would have an advantage.

Along with Tiffany we were worried that KC would be intimidated being on stage and working with her group to come up with answers to questions about details in the books.

In order to lessen the blow of losing, Tiffany told KC that it's perfectly OK to not win because they were too busy right now with all their activities and she wouldn't have time to win and then prepare to represent their school in the district competition.


Imagine my surprise shock when a stunned and excited Tiffany called just as I was waking (there's a five hour time difference between Hawaii and Chicago) to tell me that KC and her two teammates had WON the competition.

Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I could hardly believe it! Since I taught in the same district, I knew what this all meant. There's a lot of pride if your school wins. I started looking at airline prices to Chicago. But then Art said I needed to think this through first. If we go, it could put extra pressure on KC. We're also planning to be in Chicago this summer as it is.

Arrrghhh....

I looked at airline prices again. Sigh...

I want so badly to be there. I'm not looking to see her win. Her team has already won their school competition and that's enough. I just want to see her up there on stage and cheer them on.

Sigh...

It's really hard living so far away.

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27 comments:

  1. Granny AnnieApril 4, 2017 at 1:15 AM

    I have missed many of my grandchildren's special events but it always comforts me to know that their parents (my son and daughter) have never missed one single thing, encouraging the children and even volunteering. I am so proud of children and grandchildren as I know you and Art are of yours:-)

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  2. Margie's MusingsApril 4, 2017 at 1:25 AM

    It means so much for our grandchildren to have us at their special events. My youngest granddaughter is graduating from college in December (she is actually graduating in May but they walk across the stage to get their diplomas in December) and I hope to be there. My son will send me to the graduation exercise. Most of her family will be there....her mother, father, brother, stepmother and me. But I can understand Art's position.

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  3. AnvilcloudApril 4, 2017 at 2:03 AM

    Good for her. Most books leave my head (for the most part) once I close the cover.

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  4. DJanApril 4, 2017 at 2:50 AM

    That's wonderful, and I can understand your desire to be there. Why do I think you will win out and will be there? :-)

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  5. Kathy GApril 4, 2017 at 2:52 AM

    Can you get Tiffany to record the competition? Then if KC's team does well you could have a "showing" when you're there and relive all the excitement.

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  6. CloudiaApril 4, 2017 at 3:13 AM

    Wonderful, KC!!!!!!

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  7. MageApril 4, 2017 at 3:22 AM

    Perhaps the school is recording the competition? You are a great mom, and you are living in paradise with your mom.

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  8. MageApril 4, 2017 at 3:23 AM

    PS: I love the new banner picture.

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  9. Great Grandma LinApril 4, 2017 at 3:29 AM

    Maybe her family can live stream it on facebook or at least keep you informed of how it is going. I know it was fun to seem my grand daughter a state away in Idaho open her mission call with family across the USA!

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  10. MarciaApril 4, 2017 at 4:58 AM

    We had that competition in the county I taught in here in MD. Congrats to KC!
    I look forward to those school events when granddaughters get older. I can hop the train north to get there.

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  11. AnonymousApril 4, 2017 at 4:58 AM

    I totally understand. We are only 3 hours away, but with conflicting schedules, it's hard to get away to see the kids.

    Hopefully someone will record the competition and can get it to you. Then KC can tell you all about it from her perspective.

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  12. Thickethouse.wordpressApril 4, 2017 at 5:11 AM

    Oh, congratulations to KC and her team!You must be so very proud....I am sorry you probably won't be there, but I hope there is some way you can see the competition.

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  13. NanApril 4, 2017 at 5:25 AM

    I'd go!!

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  14. AdamApril 4, 2017 at 6:18 AM

    We never had a contest like that when I was in school. I remember spelling bees and one geography bee

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  15. ChristineApril 4, 2017 at 7:05 AM

    Big congrats to KC and her team, way to go!

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  16. AnonymousApril 4, 2017 at 9:08 AM

    You seem to like to travel why not? It is not like going to the tulip festival in Mt. Vernon Washington it is your only grand daughter..I would go..just saying!

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    Replies
    1. KayApril 4, 2017 at 10:06 AM

      Are you BB or Nancy? Could you tell me who you are. As it is, it's a good thing we didn't leave for IL. There's too much to take care of. On top of that Art and I just returned from taking mom to the Big Island. She had a great time, but we're REALLY exhausted. We're also taking mom to hospital to visit her sister, etc. sigh.

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  17. AnneApril 4, 2017 at 9:20 AM

    Wonderful! *That* is the toughest thing about living in Hawaii... I am missing my grown kids on the mainland so much. They will (both) have a birthday on 4/10. Same date, 10 years apart.

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  18. TaborApril 4, 2017 at 10:37 AM

    I live a little over an hour away, but get to a few of the events. Too few, because nobody tells us that something is happening. Oh well.

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  19. troutbirderApril 4, 2017 at 12:26 PM

    How neat! We know all about The Grands living so far away. In our case Minnesota to Arizona...:(

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  20. RedApril 4, 2017 at 1:07 PM

    Congratulations to KC. She's becoming a lifelong reader.

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  21. Linda ReederApril 4, 2017 at 5:05 PM

    KC is obviously a remarkable child. She comes from a family of remarkable people. It is thrilling for her family to see her being so successful. I know you communicate with her regularly, and she knows how proud you are of her. While you are missing out by not being there i person, your connection across the miles is very strong.

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  22. Honolulu AuntyApril 4, 2017 at 5:26 PM

    You are such a great everything. KC has support from everyone around her - that is so wonderful. Even from your readers - GO KC!!!

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  23. jalnaApril 4, 2017 at 7:27 PM

    Wooo hoooo!!!!

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  24. Jenn JilksApril 5, 2017 at 3:06 PM

    Our kids are super readers, too! It paves the way, for sure. What a hard decision for you!!!

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  25. AnonymousApril 5, 2017 at 9:20 PM

    Congratulations KC! She's one talented young lady. I know that your mom is grateful that you and Art are there for her and to help her keep tabs on her sister. Holly

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    Replies
    1. KayApril 6, 2017 at 6:20 AM

      Thank you, Holly! We're keeping our fingers crossed. Kalani says she just hopes they don't get knocked out in the first round.

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