5 is for 5 Hours in a Car

By Johanna

Singing, laughing, and Spanish fills the car. The smell of a slow baked banana and apple perfumes it. A book lays open and an activity bag is lying on it's side. A drowsy kid is trying to sleep in a very awkward position.

Happy Memorial Day! My family just got home from Burlington, North Carolina, where my grandma lives. The visit was very short and boring, except for the video, Remember the Titans, and the 5 hour car rides there and back were actually not bad.

I was woken up at six in the morning (on a weekend!) and so I stumbled out of bed, and without any breakfast, got into the car. I made room for my head on the middle elbow rest in the back of the car, lay down, and tried to sleep for a bit. After one hour, we stopped in the Aunties Pancake House in Ruther Glen for a seven o'clock breakfast. My dad and I have been here when we were going to North Carolina for Christmas. My mom said she disapproved, but I could tell she wanted to do it. I got a pancake platter, with three giant buttermilk pancakes and some bacon, and milk, which was 2 percent, which I don't like. My mom got a waffle that she shared on fourth of it with me, and my dad got a pecan banana pancake, which my mom and I agreed was crazy. Everyone got a big scoop of... butter for the pancakes! We only used about a fourth of it, and so it was a big waste. Everything was so good. The pancakes were warm and delicious, the bacon was fatty and crisp, and the waffles were, well, like waffles! Even the syrup, even though it was fake, not real maple syrup, was good and warm. Then, when we had finished, I could hardly stand up! We got back into the car and kept going.

I read a little, a new book- The Book Thief, and then I got out the unfailing card pack of things to do on a car trip. I chose to do the "Hum a tune and make people guess what it is" card. But humming was too soft, so we whistled. It happened a lot where we knew the words and tune but not the title. Then we did "Name a place or location starting with A, and then the next person has to name a place that starts with the last letter of the word that they said". For example, my dad said Arkansas, and so I had to say something like Santiago (the capital city of Chili) or South Carolina. I said South Dakota, so my mom had to say something like Antarctica. We found out that there were a lot of places that ended in "A" or started with "A". Then I tried to nap again, and before I knew it, we were at my grandmas house!

Then on Sunday, we had to go back home. We started out at three in the afternoon, and got home at about nine. I mostly read, did an activity book, or slept. My mom and dad tried to listen to this very quick paced Spanish course CD, but they finally gave up. This time, we had already had lunch, but by the time it was seven, we were hungry again. We stopped in Fredericksburg, and the only place we found was "Carlos O'Kelys" which was a Mexican restaurant. My mom told dad to remind her to not stop in Fredericksburg again, but the food there was good. I got an enchilada, which was very yummy. Then, we got in the car and kept going. When we finally got home, I was so sleepy! I climbed into the car, put on my pj's, and went to sleep before my head touched the pillow.

Life Lesson: Car rides can be fun if you make them be fun.

4 is for 400 Meter Run

By Annabel

My heart was constantly pumping as I walked up to the starting line. Since this was my first track meet I didn't fight to try my way in to get the inside lane. Instead, stupidly enough, I took the far outside lane; real smart I know! My tense stomach was full of hundreds of tiny butterflies, swarming around inside. "In and out." I whispered to myself. "I can't do this." I said quietly. One of the timers told us what to do, and what the rules were, but I still had soooo many questions. I didn't want to get disqualified because I didn't know what to do, so I asked all of them.

It was at another middle school, and you could barely see the lines marking the track. Suddenly, one of the timers yelled to the runners, "Runners take your mark... Get set... GO!!" And the buzzer went off. I got a great start, the best part about it was that I had gotten the inside lane, and was following closely behind the girl from the other school who was in first.

The 400 meter run is two laps around the faded track. After the first lap the girl in first and I pulled away from the tightly packed group of girls. The timers were yelling out our half times as we crossed the starting line again. Both of the coaches from both teams told us to pick up the speed. That's exactly what I did. I gave myself an extra boost, and passed right by a girl from the other school in front of me. I don't think that one of the coaches from the other team liked that I passed her, and started to yell. “Come on Sara! Don't let that girl beat you!!" The track coach from her school shrieked at the girl. I started to see Sara out of the corner of my right eye. She was all out sprinting, and soon going to pass me, if I didn't pick up the pace.

When we came around the final corner, she was just a step in front of me. “I am not going to lose to her!" I thought to myself. Right before the grassy finish I emptied out all of my fuel in the tank and surprisingly I stepped right in front of her, and won by a step! Crossing the finish line, I almost tumbled over, face forward into the muddy track. I won!! Everyone on the track team came over a congratulated me on my victory. I felt really good and proud of myself after that race for not giving up.

Life Lesson: Even when you think that you have nothing left, give it everything that you have left!

3 is for 3rd Place

By Silvia

"And the first place winner is-"
I kept my hopes high enough. Am I going to be in first place?
"Anonymous person!!!"
then the anonymous person who won 1st place went up onto the stage.
"Now the second place winner is-"
Again, I had my hopes up high.
"Another anonymous person!"
Then the person who won 2nd place went up onto the stage.
"Now the third place winner is-"
I knew my name was going to announced, like always.
My prediction was right, and I went onto the stage.
But I wasn't happy.
I mean, how can someone's lame drawing of a tree win first place? And how can a cheap drawing of a lawn win second.

After leaving the stage, I gave the certificate proving that I won THIRD place to my sister.
"Come on,"my sister said. "At least it's better than nothing."
"Yeah, but THIRD place? I never got to even TASTE first place." I tell her.
It's really true. I'm the person who is stuck at Third place. Never got to even taste the sweet victory of First place.
Well I have, but it was for little things like the first person to complete an equation at 5th grade.
I stare at the certificate. Another thing to hang on my wall of Third place things.

After that day, I had to go to school.
And apparently there was someone from the same contest in my class.
She walked towards me, and told me:
"you're lucky that you actually got into third place."
"Why?" I ask her.
"I always get a participant certificate whenever I go into a contest."
"Then shouldn't you try harder then?"
"Nah...." She then walked away.
I didn't even know that there were people like her.
After that day, I thought about what she said about always being a participant.
Maybe she wasn't that confident about herself. Or maybe she wasn't even trying in those contests.
But then I felt happy about winning Third place in most things. At least I didn't win Participate in the contest.

LIFE LESSON: Third place isn't that bad. Just try harder, and you'll probably be First place next time.

2 is for 2nd SOL

By Riittisha

Our second SOL of the sixth grade year .. Mathematics.

I aced it. I know it in my gut. Well, of course, I aced it, I've been totally prepared, but I mean I got a 590 or above. I just like, know it. 600.

This time, it wasn't cold, and even though I wasn't wearing my sweater. I think it was because we were all so warm from running around outside, and drenched with perspiration. And the heat of everyone made the room warm.

Now, the SOL. Easy, peezy, lemon-squeezy(: True, there were some questions I spent quite some time on, but I used some strategies.. process of elimination, and just common sense. There was especially one question I was worried about, and I called Ms. R to say I didn't understand, but she said read it over carefully, and try again. That helped. I'm not being sarcastic. Just hearing someone else say what you already know, it kind of soothes you. So I went back, and I think I chose the correct answer.

You know how people say they reviewed everything, but they really don't most of the time? I don't sometimes, because I'm just so glad I finished everything, and I know I did my best, and I'm, oh so tired and everything? Yeah. I don't do that anymore.

Today, I had this feeling that I HAD to check it over, I made mistakes, so I listened to my gut and I did. Boy, am I glad!! I made 2 careless mistakes, and that shook me. It made me less confident that I did my best the first time, and I guess that's a good thing. So from now on, I will check and re-check everything.

Life Lesson: Second time's the charm. Check and check again.

1 is for 1st Place

By Lauren

Water splashed in my face as I race to the finish. Swimming backstroke as fast as I possibly could, this race I was ready to win. I had had a flip turn lesson with my swim coach earlier in the week, now I felt ready to win. As I had approached the flags I counted my stokes then flipped over. Flip, kick, then out, the best flip turn I had ever done. I had soared off of the wall. As I kept racing, sprinting toward the finish, I thought this has to be my best time ever. This meet was the last one of the season, if we won this we would move up a division. I looked a little to the side and saw all the coaches standing cheering. I thought to myself oh it would be cool if I was in first place, but Sophia is really fast so she is probably in first, it would be cool if I was in second or third. There the flags I was almost there, just a few more meters, sprint it in. I touched the wall and stood up, there was no one else in, I was in first place!!! I could hear everyone cheering. I was thrilled that I had just got first, and scored points for my team to win. As soon as I got out of the water my coach came over and game me a high- five "You just dropped five seconds off your best time!" (if you don't know that is a lot of time for a swimmer). I was really proud and happy at the same time really happy. Everyone kept congratulating me on my time and place. It was a really great day.

Life Lesson: With practice you can do anything, and never underestimate yourself.

Z is for Zip Line

By Delgermaa

For my end of the year fifth grade field trip, I went on a zip line. It must have been one of the coolest things I have ever done.

We were all in groups, the whole fifth grade I mean. I was in group number three which meant I have to wait. I was kinda relieved that I was in third and not first. Since we had to wait, the teachers made us eat our lunch and some people just couldn't ( too scared.) I watched as the people climbed up at the ladder one by one. I saw the first person go and it looked terrifyingly fun. As the first group was done, the second group went up ( of course) and that was when it hit me. I was so calm about it, I wasn't freaking about it like the others. As I should mention, IT WAS NOT SO SCARY. But when as the time went by, my nerves suddenly grew. My palms were sweaty, and it was pretty hot because it was summer well almost.

Before I knew it, it was my group's turn. Okay, I was freaking out now and kind of shaking everywhere. My group had about 10 people so I made sure I was last but that did NOT happen. A classmate actually pushed me to be first! I gladly pushed him back to first. And my teacher made him go first. I stuck my tongue at him. He-he, I always win! But I was still NEXT to go! My teacher made me climb the ladder fast because so many fifth graders were waiting to go on.

I climbed the ladder, as I got to the top of the wooden bridge as I may call it. The staff lady buckled me into the belt and put some other safety things on and a helmet. I wiped the sweat off my forehead. Why is it so hot today? The lady led me to a bridge, no it wasn't at all. It was a black thick wire that you have to walk on to get on the other station and that was super scary. I mean I can't go on a string and not fall!! "Don't make me," I said to the lady.

"It's fine, you won't fall."

I gathered all my courage and stepped on the wire. "But if I die, tell my parents I love them." I said to the lady and she laughed. This is not a laughing matter. I walked very slowly, and when I mean very slowly I mean really slow. I looked down my peers waved at me. I tried to smile but couldn't.

I finished the path on wire. I wrapped my arms around the huge wooden thing that kinda looked like a tree. But the whole thing wasn't over yet, I still had the main part to go. The Zip line. I can't go on! This thing was LONG and was up pretty high. Other staff took off my cable from the string bridge and put another on the final zip line. I'm going to die. I grabbed on to the top part of the cable and closed my eyes. I was moving. I peaked a little. And as I looked, I could see everything. The top of the beautiful trees, the looks of my classmates as I pass them, and the sky was so clear that day. And I headed all the way down, the ride was so pretty to watch cause you were so high! I would love to go on again.

Life lesson: Try new things, you may never really see the world without doing so.

Y is for Years

By Briana

Ok, here is a riddle for you: How many seconds are there in one year? I will tell you later!

Years pass by so fast an you don't even notice. Well lets say you had your tenth birthday and you say "I am going to remember this moment forever", But then you lose that special moment.

Of all the years I have lived, I would say my favorite year would be when I was.....well.... I don't really have one yet. I guess I would have to wait and see.

At the beginning of the year people want it to be the end of the year(Christmas) and then the year goes by and look you are already in the next year. Just like kids, why did I say kids? Well because kids always want to be adults, but at the years go by and when they are adults they want to be kids. So that is a problem! Well I don't want to waste my years! You shouldn't waste yours.

Answer to Riddle: There are twelve, January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd, etc.

Briana's Word Of Advice: Use your years wisely, you won't have them forever.

X is for X-Ray

By Joann

As I entered the room, I felt my earrings buzzing around in my hand which freaked me out a ton. All I was doing was getting an X-Ray. Why be so worried? Because the room was filled with all types of pointy things that the doctor could use to pierce me if I wasn't following instructions.

But luckily, my doctor was a woman and she had scrubs on which had teddy bears all over them (all nice people love teddy bears) and I instantly felt relieved from all of the worry.

The doctor's name was Ann Marie and she was going to take the x-ray today and she told me what to do in a nice tone and then after I was done getting in the position, I had to rest my head against the red target. I felt like I was the arrow from the bow and arrow and she was the bow, aiming for me to get to the right place so she would take a good x-ray and find out what's wrong with my mouth.

After that, we went outside and she gave me three lollipops. THREE! Usually, nice doctors give you one. But this doctor, I guess some pixie dust was sprayed over her in the morning in bed and gave her an extra boost to be nice because THREE! Usually, doctor's offices are cheap and greedy and only give you one. SO HA! THIS DOCTOR IS BETTER THAN ALL OF YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE!

Life Lesson: Don't underestimate the scary things in your life. They can always change and become nice and give you three lollipops if they have hands.

W is for Water Fight

By Kimberly

It all started with a balloon and ended with a deadly fight. (Deadly as in really enthusiastic about the “fight”) First water was used to fill the balloons, but as soon as us teenagers got the hose, let's just say we weren’t exactly aiming for the balloon. Instead water started splashing everywhere. The spirals in the hose made it just as flexible to turn around as our arms. As I reached out to grasp the handle on the hose my friend aimed it directly at my face. First at my face, but as soon as I opened my eyes I was drenched. I quickly took control of the hose and got him back. Then I sprinted over to the bucket, carefully avoiding the water, and got hold of the water balloons. I soon learned that as soon as a balloon touched the grass it would explode, creating water to burst. At the moment we didn’t realize it but the whole front lawn was soaked in water. Cars, windows, everything was wet. We ended it with me 2 wins, 1 loss, and my friend, 3 wins, 1 loss. So we teamed up, filled the bucket with water, and got my cousin soaked. It didn’t make their day, but it made ours :) .

Life Lesson: Even when you lose, sometimes you win.

V is for Vanishing Bun

By Lauren

A few years ago when my family went to Outback for dinner, like we do every once in a while. But this time was a little bit different. All our dinners had come and we were adding all of our toppings. Will had gotten a hamburger, so he took off his bun to add his ketchup. But when he looked up, his bun had vanished, gone. So we all started looking around wondering were in the world his bun could have possibly wrong. We looked all over the table, on the booths, under our table and nearby tables. But there was no sign of Will's missing bun.

So then we started making up stories about were the bun could have gone, "It could have been dropped on the ground then carried away by a colony of mice!" Will exclaimed.

"Maybe it rolled all the way out the door," I guessed. In the end we never ended up finding the missing bun. But now it is good for laughs every time we go back.

Life Lesson: Always make sure you know where your buns are at all times.

U is for Up Ahead

By Riittisha

Summer. That's what's lying ahead. I haven't given it much deep thought lately. I mean, I've thought about it, like, "WOO! Schools over!!" "Beach, beware, we're about to crash into you!!" or "No homework, no getting up early, and no stress!!" But is summer really a good thing? And I don't mean "good thing" like I'm about to talk about like how chlorine and stuff can harm you. No. I mean sadness. I've been thinking a lot about memories, and the past. But summer. It's a good two months away from school, but everyone knows, when you get back, everything's going to change. New people, old friends, not the same schedule, you and your best friends could be not in the same team, you know you're not going to have the same teachers, and everything.

I'm looking forward to summer, we're either going on a cruise or to Disney World, we always go to beach, and what's not fun about having two months to hang out with your friends? But summer also marks the end of the school year, your time for this year is over.

And I can't get over how different next year is going to be. I love my schedule, my teachers, my TA.. and my team. All the people in my classes, everything. I know it's not going to happen next year. If by some miracle, everyone in the Dolphins is a otter, and the classes are the same, which is NEVER, no Mrs. Y. wouldn't want me saying Impossible, it's VERY un-likely. And no way, are the same teachers, same team, all that. It gives you a hollow feeling at how different things are going to be. Why can't we just have summer, and repeat the whole sixth grade again, but learning seventh grade stuff, and all that. Oh and anyway, the whole Math thing and everything is changing. Life has too many changes. But we can face them, even if they knock you down.

Life Lesson; When changes occur, don't grit your teeth, and hide. Instead, prepare and brace for the ride.

T is for Tornado Tantrum

By Ashley

"Oh my goodness! For real?! No way!"

I dreaded the words that the meteorologist had said. The 2 words followed me everywhere.

I'm careful and on the lookout. Like a mouse looking for cheese but is nimble/careful for any mouse traps.

As I took a look out of the window, I feel the winds roaring. I open up the window and SPLAT..PATTER PATTER PATTER..SPLAT..PATTER PATTER PATTER..SPLAT! The continuos noise of hail and rain mixed together was annoying. So I decided to close the window.

The feelings I got when there's a tornado watch or warning, were just like that. I get so scared that I panic. It's like I'm having a physco attack! And sometimes I talk a lot to get that bad thought out of my mind. But I just simply can't!

I have NEVER been in a tornado. But I have mixed emotions to rather wanting to be in one and not. I want to be in one so I can have that experience. And I'll know EXACTLY what to do in case of one. But I don't want to be one because I could lose my life or something. And that would be terrible!!!!

Life Lesson: Don't freak out over something that might not happen. And being in a tornado may be a good story to tell your friends. But it won't be when someone gets hurt!!!

S is for Squirrel

By Andriana

Today I was walking home and I was just talking with my friends and one of them says look at that dead squirrel. I walked over and I saw the squirrel, but it wasn't dead and that is what made me mad. It was lying on the side of the road and it was so helpless. It's leg was broken. Two of my friends were just laughing the entire time because the squirrel would try to move and it looked like it was twitching and having a spaz attack. Me and my friend really felt so bad because we would rather see it dead than have it suffer all the pain. One part that made me really upset was when the squirrel started moving really fast and we thought it was going to walk again but it got up on it's feet and then flopped back down again not even being on it's feet for about 1 second. Me and my friend didn't want to just leave it there so we went up to the house right next to it and we asked them if they could do anything and the lady called animal control and they said they would come. We were excited, but we really couldn't wait much longer. This squirrel was about to die. It's breathing was getting slower and its easy were watery and they were close to closing. Apparently my friends said it has been there all morning in the same place so it hasn't ate or drunken anything. I was really upset that a car would just run over it's leg and I didn't want it to die. Animal control was taking it's time so I had to leave because it was getting late. I hope animal control came in time and they could do something about it. I really hope that they didn't have to put it to sleep. So I am praying for the squirrel and it better not be there when I get off the bus tomorrow.

Life Lesson: Always help an animal in need because if that was you wouldn't you want someone to help you.

R is for Riding Bikes

By Chris

One day, when I was at  my local park, I had the most painful experience ever! I was riding home on my bike with my family, when I fell. Normally, a fall wouldn't be to bad, but add that I was speeding down a hill and fell on my face and skidded a couple inches, it was painful. I had just fallen face first off my bike while speeding down the hill, patches of skin ripped off, me yelling and screaming as loud as I could. My mom ordered me to get up and stop hyperventilating. I got up, tried my best to stop hyperventilating, and walked my bike the rest of the way home. Alcohol was put directly onto my face, it burned like crazy. The skin was still off, so it looked like I was a deformed alien, with almost half of his face torn off. The next day, What happened to Chris? chorused through the halls. At that moment I vowed never to ride a bike down a big hill again.

 Fast forward to now. I love to ride down big hills and go fast. I haven't fallen off my bike since that incident and have never looked back. 

Life Lesson: When life knocks you down, don't be afraid to get back up.

Q is for Queen Conch

By Helen

At first you think it'a all about key lime pie in the keys, but then, once you get past that, you realize conch is the native food. They serve conch fritters ( my favorite), conch fias and raw conch. You can eat all the conch you want, but it's never as good as finding a conch, I should know.
    For spring break a couple years ago my family and I drove down the keys visiting key Largo and Key West, but the most memorable was definitely Key Bahia Honda.
    It was hot with a cool breeze that brushed your hair so it tickled your face. But once we got on to Bahia Honda beach the breeze weakened like mother nature was saying, "Stop wind, this view is too pretty to tamper with." She was right of course, the view was... well there's not a word that can just describe it. It had endless, waveless, clear water so that about a quarter mile away you could see the rocks under the surface. By that time I couldn't look at it anymore, my legs where pulling me to explore it, I finally pulled my eyes away and went.
     We found a bunch of some sort of animal eggs and tons of sea weed and cool rocks. Then after an hour of walking around I found a conch shell! That's not the great part though, it had a live conch in it. I know this because a guy walked past and told us it was, at first he thought it was a hermit crab (yes they can get to be that big) but then he looked at closely and was like yep. I was so thrilled and will remember that forever.

Life Lesson: Explore and you might not know what you will find.

P is for Perfect!

By Annabel

When I was younger I always used to think that everything had to be perfect. "Oh this card must be perfect!" I would say, or "No, that's not right!" And I would start all over.

Once when I was in second grade we were making a Mother's day card. The first time I started to make it, the glue smeared my writing so I started over. This time someone drew on my paper "by accident" so I started over again. The third time I was being very aware of everything, because I didn't want to have to start over again! Taking my time, I saw someone coming over, again "by accident" they dropped the glitter all over my paper, and it stuck to my glue. I had to start over a fourth time, and this time nothing was going to happen, because if something bad happened my teacher wouldn't let me get another paper. So I was especially careful. Finally I finished, with it looking as good as it could ever be. I wanted it to be so perfect that I put it in a SPECIAL plastic bag so that nothing bad could ever happen to it.

And nothing ever did. My card made it home safely. But I kept my eye on it until Mother's day. No one was going to mess up that card! I had worked so hard on it.


Life Lesson: Not everything has to be perfect, just try your best and it's already perfect.

O is for Obsession

By Tasnim

Vines spiraling down stairs. Green, orange, yellow, everywhere you look. Butterflies lurking around. The smell of flowers lingering in the air. This is a garden.

My family loves gardening. I mean, they're obssesed with it. Plants are like theid kids! I learned a lot from gardening though. Who knew that one day, I'd actually be into it!

Now, I did hate it before. And I used to think "Why bother. I mean it's such hard work for stuff you can buy at the grocery store?" But I thought wrong, because there is a difference.

One of my most favorite things is watching the other people admire our garden. It fills me with pride to see how much others like ourplace. Everones always saying how pretty it is, and how it sells good. Well, I guess thats one way this stuff actually pays off.

Another way is the freshness. You get to eat fresh vegetables and maybe even some fruits. All picked from your backyard! It tastes better, and is healthier for you to eat. It's  pretty cool to just go outide whenever my mom needs something.

I love watching the plants grow. It's pretty cool to see a plants improvment in one day. Expecualt when one night  theres nothing, and the next, there's a nice big flower in its place! Maybe being obsessed with something you love isn't always a bad thing.

Life Lesson: Obssesions aren't always a bad thing.

N is for No Shots Allowed!!!!!!!!!!!

By Pamela

"Please don't make me," I tried to get loose from my mom's grip.

"It's not that bad," my mom said.

"Yes it is," I said quietly.

This day all started when I got up and got dressed to go to school, boo. "Do you want to get your shots after school or before school?" my mom asked. Of course I said before so I could miss some of school.

I rushed in to our ocean green car. Wait, did she say shots? I thought. My enemy since day 1? I could imagine all the pain. When we arrived my heart sounded like bongos.

"You look pale," my mother said with a millimeter of concern. She started filling out these forms, which to me is a waste of paper. When she was done she gave it to a lady with golden brown hair. Even that lady said I looked pale.

"Honey there's nothing to be afraid of." I just smiled but in the back of my head, I said yeah yeah yeah. My mom and I went to the waiting area for kids, and they were showing some little kids' show with bobble head cartoons, I like those. It was called Little Einstien.

I was holding on to the chair like a life preserver. Minutes went by, but my heart moved like a race car. Then I saw the nurse and said as soft as a mouse, "Please don't be me."

"Pamela?"

We got up from our chairs. The nurse rubbed my shoulder with rubbing alcohol. Then the needle comes out, grrrrrrrrrr. I braced myself, and I felt a little pinch, but that wasn't that. The second one-- wow that one hurt! Blood came out, and even a tiny bit of blood makes me want to faint. Did I tell you my mother was hiding in the corner because she didn't want to see the blood? Thanks, Mom.

Life lesson: The first shot is not that bad, but the second one is really bad.

M is for Making Mistakes

By Leana

M is for making mistakes.. I have made a ton so far but I am content with all of them. I think everyone makes mistakes even if you DO think you are perfect I highly doubt it..: / Once I made the mistake of trying to play rough and then spraining my ankle..I made a mistake of trying to actually eat cinnomon, yogurt and juice together which caused me to throw up. So even if you end up making a mistake it might end up being something you look back on and say WOWZA! I was so stupid back then : )

Life Lesson: Make mistakes they end up being funny when you look back ,but make them in small portions!

L is for Lake Monster

By Suvra

It was slimy and big! It was probably about 7 yo 8 feet long! It was one of the most disgusting things I ever saw! It was..... keep on reading to find out.

So one time when I was little, like around 6 I went fishing with my uncle. We went fishing in our pond. The thing is the pond wasn't the cleanest pond in the world. But it was still a pond and it was the home to a lot of different kinds of fish.

So anyway, we were fishing in the pond. Now the way you know how to fish, isn't the way my uncle fishes. You fish with a worm on a hook. My uncle fishes by throwing a big net in the water and after a few minutes going into the water and bringing the net back on land.Then he gets the fish and puts them in something that looks like a basket.


We got 27 fish and they were big. Then I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was huge! I thought it was a lake monster because it was big, and slimy. I ran to my uncle and said " Uncle! look a lake monster"! He looked at it and then started laughing.

I didn't get why he was laughing at a lake monster! I asked him why he was laughing and he told me to go near it. I thought he was insane, but I did what he said. I went near it and got a good look at it. Suddenly I broke out laughing and couldn't stop. The thing I thought was a lake monster was actually a log! You guessed it a log! It was floating in the pond like a floater. That day I learned two lessons.

Life lessons: Think twice before saying something. Also don't judge something by its cover.

K is for Keyboard

By Austin

You have good memory. You have good hands. You like music. You like to create your own songs. You like to make things that you can be proud of. Then you are like me, and you would work well with a keyboard. I got a keyboard about last year, and it was awesome. Whenever I learned a song, I would play it on the keyboard. Then I could add special effects or add a background beat. It also has a feature where it plays a song and you can learn it.

Life Lesson: It is really cool, and you should get one, if you ask me.

J is for Juliet

By Hunter

My newest member of the family is still trying to fit in. Wherever I go she is right behind me (well most of the time.) She still has to try to remember where everything is. When I get home from soccer practice, I always take a shower. Yesterday, when I got in, Juliet was sitting right in front of the shower. When I got out I sprayed her with some water. She rushed to find shelter and she jumped into my shower. I think that she was dropped on her head a few times. But she was a great gift.

Life Lesson: Next time keep the door shut so the cat can't get in my shower.

I is for Imagination

By Briana

IMAGINE the world was a big round chocolate ball. IMAGINE you had super speed and fire powers. The wind blowing against your face, the burn that heats others, but has no effect on you.

IMAGINE everyone was nice and we had world peace. Some of your imaginations could come true. World peace could happen, but most likely it won't happen.

IMAGINE dogs could talk, pigs could fly, or horses could spit out ducks. Imagination is one of the most wonderful things in the world. Some people have a bigger imagination than others.

My biggest imagination is that I could I could fly and control people. I would totally control my mom. Imagination is a good thing. It makes you dream, and to dream is a gift to you.

Life Lesson: Imagining is good never prevent it.

H is for HOBO

By Kai

H.O.B.O

I think I know what you guys think when I spell out Hobo nut this Hobo is different. I got this off of a shirt a guy used to wear at my elementary school. It spelled out HOBO. I was like, "Why would you wear a shirt that says HOBO?" When I looked closely I found out why. It was H.O.B.O. with periods and everything. I read what it said and it read this:

Help

Our

Brothers

Out

I thought it was a good message to say to those young kids and I really liked what it said. So whenever you think of HOBO think of this.

G is for Giving Up

By Haben

One sunny morning me and my fifth grade class went outside for recess. There were jump ropes, hula hoops, basket balls, and soccer balls. I picked up one of the hula hoops and decided to play with it.

While I was hula hooping I saw my friends who were also hula hooping too but on their leg. That was so cool I had to try it. On my first try I failed. On my second try I tripped over the hula hoop. Then on my third try I got it but then I messed up. I was so mad and I wanted to give up. Part of me said, "Keep on going. You can do it".

The other part of me said, "What’s the point? You're making a fool of yourself." Eventually I chose the first advice and kept trying but I still couldn't do it so I walked over to my friends and asked them to teach me. They were kind enough to help.

At the last minute of recess I finally got it! I was so happy. I screamed, "I did it! I did it!” I thanked my friends so much.

Life lesson: If at first you don't succeed try, try again.

F is for Fishing

By Lauren

The summer before I was in fifth grade I went with Will to my grandparents’ house for a few days. While we were there my grandpa took Will, my cousin Meredith, and me fishing. So we went down to the lake and got all set up. After fishing for a while we had lost lots of worms and hadn’t caught anything. A little while after that we had caught a small fish or two which we had thrown back.

Then I cast my line and I was sitting and sitting, then my line started to tug. I started to reel in my line slowly so I wouldn’t lose the fish. When I pulled it out I saw what I had caught. It was a bass about ten inches long. We decided to put it in a bucket to take home and show my grandma, since we didn’t have a camera.

So after fishing a little longer we hadn’t caught anything else and decided to go home. Meredith picked up the bucket right as a fly had landed on my fish, which made it freak out. Then right as Meredith picked it up the fish flopped out and onto the pavement. We all scrambled to try to pick up the fish, but it was too floppy and slippery. Meredith almost dove into the water to get the fish. So we drove home and just had to tell my grandma about my fish. But that night I got extra dessert for catching the biggest fish.

Life Lesson: Always bring a camera when fishing, because you never know what will happen. And also always put a lid on a bucket with a fish in it.

E is for Elevator Music

By Jay

"Tenth floor, please."
"Sure thing!"
Some people don't like elevators, but I have always tolerated them. With many people though, I tend to stay near the exit just incase there is an elephant in the compartment. I'm pretty sure the smooth jazz and one hit wonder music is supposed to calm the tremmoring lad in the corner from having a cardiac arrest, but it doesn't look to be working. I really hate to have to do this, but it is time you all learned. All your favorite artists in a couple years will be singing the music you hear in the bathroom and elevator. Sorry!
Life Lesson: Don't worry when your favorite song stops running on the radio. It's just going through another stage of his life, and this stage is elevator time!

D is for Disgusting

 By Bridget

"Ewwwww! Mom, are you trying to poison me? How the heck an I supposed to eat that?" I yell. My evil mother is trying to make me eat the most disgusting thing ever. Cooked broccoli. It's like trying to eat a bucket of mashed worms and trash.

"It's good for you. Just try it." she says. Ha! Like I'd ever want to eat the worst green kind of food ever made!

I used to love broccoli. Until I tasted it cooked in the 1st grade. I am surprised I didn't puke or anything. Ever since then, I have had a phobia of it. I won't even eat normal broccoli. Thank you school lunch lady.

Anyway, at our last BBQ, my  mom made a lot of broccoli. I was serving myself some rice, when I saw the salad I screamed and ran to the attic to hide. My nice cousins dragged me down the stairs, and made me sit at the table. Then my mom gave me a huge lecture about broccoli being "good and healthy." So after an hour of arguing, I ate some. After that, I lost my appetite and left. Later that night, I got a stomach ache. I hope my mother is happy.

Life Lesson: Food is good just the way it is. Don't try to change it.

C is for Can-Do Attitude

By Jay

Do you doubt yourself? If you just answered yes, you really need some can-do attitude, and fast!

Can-do attitude is the feeling that you can do anything you put your mind towards. Parents will try to manipulate it sometimes, so be careful. "Joey, can you help me with the groceries? I know you can do a spectacular job!" There are also some good things that come out of a can-do attitude minded person such as; a new feeling of entitlement and courage, respect from your peers, and a great way to come out from behind those shadows. Maybe getting your attitude back on track could be a step in the right direction!
Life Lesson: Get out there, it may just be the best thing to ever happen to you!

B is for Blue Cheese

By Lauren

My Dad loves blue cheese, so he always wants me to try it. So one day he wanted me to like it so bad, he offered me 5 dollars if I would try a small piece and swallow it. So for 5 bucks I agreed to try it. My Dad took a while to get out the blue cheese so when I walked in I saw Will eating something. So I asked him “how does it taste?”

He replied “Yeah, pretty good.” So I went ahead and ate the blue cheese. What Will hadn’t told me was that he was eating a brownie, so of course it was good. Well the blue cheese did not taste like a brownie and was not good at all. It tasted terrible, and I didn’t even have to chew it to figure that out. But I really wanted 5 bucks so I chewed it and tried to swallow it. When I tried to swallow the cheese it was so bad I gagged. Then ran to the trash can as fast as I could.

Then I asked Will “How did you like that? It was terrible!”

            Only then did he tell me “I didn’t try the blue cheese, I was eating a brownie. But I defiantly am not trying it now!” SO then I realized my life lesson.

Life Lesson: Always ask specific questions before you do something, especially what someone is eating before you try something.

A is for "Are We There Yet?"

By Helen

This car ride wasn't much different then the other ones, "Are we there yet?" choruses thoroughout the car from my brother and I. We we're driving to our relatives house in Michigan and my brother and I had enough of this six hour ride.
   "Almost," answers my dad wearily.
     My mom wakes up and asks "where are we?"
     "Close," my dad repleys.
      "Why aren't we on I57?" my mom questions.
       Yes we were lost, and that proves that my dad is not a good navigator. While my mom and dad tried to get back on I57. My brother and I spotted an overlook.
       "Can we just stop at that overlook to stretch are legs and to get back on track?" I pleaded.
       We pulled over and parked at the overlook. My brother and I went right to the edge. We looked out and it was amazing: with a rushing river and a Heron on a tree really close. It made your eyes strain to see it all at once. We got back in the car really glad we saw it!
Life lesson: Your destination isn't always the place you want to be.