she won the spelling bee

This was Avery's 3rd spelling bee experience.  Last year after she got out on her very first word, she told us with a big smile on her face that she would win next year and it turned out, she was not kidding.  

She knew what to do.  She had been through it before, the first year she focused on studying the easier words and didn't worry about the bigger ones.  The second year she focused on the harder ones and got out early with an easy one.  This year, she knew she had to study all 450 words in the packet that was given to her and that was exactly what she did.  She studied each night until she got through the list multiple times.  We were so proud watching her work hard for something she wanted so badly.  

The spelling bee was right after school and Jason came from work for a bit but had something going on that evening and could not stay for the whole thing.  He wished so bad he would have stayed anyway but she had me, Violet, and Grandma, & PaPa there cheering her on.  

I was a nervous wreck as usual.  I texted the family thread often updating them on the words and how she was doing.  Alaina said she could hear my heart beating from Delaware and I wouldn't doubt it.  I was a mess.  My heart almost exploded right out of my chest.  It was an unbelievable experience.  She spelled words like tenaciously, pertinacity, netsuke, raspingly, and immersed.  You could see the shock on her face when the boy who had won the last two years got out with a few students left.  She had said she was going to beat him.  She is amazing. 

At the end when it was down to her and one other student, they began giving them words that were not from the list and she still nailed it.  She was as cool and confident as could be and I was bursting with pride.  It all started going really fast at the end and the boy spelled a word wrong and then she spelled a word wrong.  It was the only word she spelled wrong.  He spelled his next one wrong and then she spelled two words correct to claim the title.  

When it was over and we both realized she had won, we didn't think a thing about anyone else and totally ran to each other.  She jumped in my arms and we celebrated all of her hard work with a giant hug that I never wanted to end.  Watching your child's hard work pay off is one of the most beautiful things you can experience as a parent.

My girl.  The fifth grade spelling bee champion.  Just like her Momma.