Spelling Bee STRESS!!!

Whitney has been so excited about the Spelling Bee at her school. Before Christmas Break, she qualified by taking the written test at school. It is given to the 3rd and 4th grade students. Thirty-two students qualified. I told Whitney that it was an honor for to her qualify and to just do her best and take her time. I loaded up Bryan and Reagan and we met John at the school and attended the Spelling Bee. I did not think about how STRESSFUL an elementary Spelling Bee is!!! I was so nervous for her that I couldn't even take pictures!!!! I did snap a couple. Whitney made it to the championship round! She got 3rd place. I am sure that you are wondering what word she went out on......drum roll......
A-D-I-E-U.....when they called the word, I was thinking "oh please ask for a definition" I wasn't sure she knew what the word was when she heard it! She knows it from "The Sound of Music"....if only she could have sung the word and not had to spell it!!!! And, I have to admit that I just googled the word to make sure that I spelled it correctly. There was some confusion at the end of the spelling bee (I still don't have it straight in my head) but they sent a boy to his seat, which left only Whitney and one other student. She missed her word and he missed his, and so they brought back the 3rd student because the official rule is that the previous round starts over and that is when she missed "ADIEU". She did a great job, and we are so proud of her....more than getting 3rd place, I am proud of her for her awesome attitude. Kids were missing words and crying, leaving the stage in a huff and mumbling and grumbling when they sat down, but Whitney handle the entire thing with grace. She stood on that stage and clapped for the two boys who won, she sat respectfully when the judges were discussing what had happened and were trying to figure out what needed to happen. Whitney handled the awkwardness of being on stage while the two boys were presented with trophies and she stood by quietly. I am proud of her for keeping her head high, keeping a smile on her face and being happy for the ones that won! Her principal, Dr. Martin, came to us after the Spelling Bee and told us that he would like for her to get to come along to the District Spelling Bee. He said she did well, and that was a confusing ending to the Bee. She will get to go watch the Spelling Bee and get treated to lunch by Dr. Martin. And, after the stress of today, I think she will really get to enjoy that Bee because there won't be any pressure on her!!!! I need to take a nap.....oh, and I got home just in time to get settled in and get lunch started, fed Bryan, then he started crying, Reagan was being naughty and had to go sit on her bed....the phone rings...it was the school nurse....I had to go pick Blayne up!!!! Hmmmm....it is ALWAYS something!