Some Firsts for Alaina (Seconds and Thirds, Too....)

Being the third child in our family, Alaina might feel that she never gets to do anything first. She's gone to the same school as her older brother and sister, having lots of the same teachers and doing many of the same activities.

However, Alaina definitely has her own personality and interests, and she's really shown that this year in Grade 4.

In Grade 4, the classes have a big unit on poetry, and Alaina--being the bookworm that she is--really got into it. She memorized her weekly poems and recited them to us several times at home, adding actions and voice inflections to make them interesting and memorable. 

She was the first of our children to be chosen to recite a poem in the gym at the school's annual poetry and public speaking assembly, a great honor in Grade 4! 

Eric and I were able to attend and see Alaina get her medal.

A few weeks later, Alaina competed in her first track meet. We had been told by Alaina's teacher that she was amazing at hurdles, so it was great to see her in action. She also did high jump and the 100-meter run, where she came in second.

A week later, we returned to watch Alaina compete in the "challenge" track meet, which is much more competitive. It was 32 degrees outside, and everyone was worried about the students becoming dehydrated. Alaina was scheduled to run in a 4-by-400 relay near the end of the day. I'd seen Janae compete in the 4-by-100, where each member of the team runs a quarter lap, but Alaina would have to run an entire lap before she passed her baton to the next runner.

How did it go? Well, Alaina was the second runner, and she moved her team from third place to second during her lap of the track. Eric and I watched her keep up her pace throughout the run, despite the heat. She was amazing! Her team ended up coming in third (typical--right, Laina?). 

She has also signed up for cello lessons this fall, which will be a first in our family.

She was the first of my kids to dress up 80s for Decades Day at school, too :)

I have enjoyed seeing Alaina have a chance to do a few things first and know that there will be many more opportunities to come over the next few years.