Johanna Turns 12

We are enjoying Johanna’s middle school time as it actually means more family dinners and free time.  She doesn't have evening activities (since they are after school instead) and she is able to independently manage her time well. She is in both choir and orchestra which take place during school hours, giving her less “study hall” time but is still getting all her work done.  Johanna earned straight A’s in her first trimester, and her teachers agreed they wanted to clone her! She is enjoying club time and leap activities at school including gym club, cooking club, crime solving club, and being a peer buddy for special needs students.

Tony says Johanna is getting tall (long legs) but Johanna says not tall enough. Tony really enjoyed practicing long jump with her during track season this year.  It's nice he has Johanna to talk and watch sports with, even if he sometimes needs to ask for a break from conversation and questions.  Tony appreciates how responsible Johanna is and likes to see her growing independence.

Walter likes that Johanna knows really good technology, even better than dad.  Walter says she is “kinda nice”.  He wants to get a puppy or chameleon with Johanna (probably because he knows she would take responsibility for it).

Michelle enjoys that Johanna still welcomes hugs and cuddles.  Michelle appreciates how enthusiastically Johanna says “I love you SO MUCH!”.  Johanna has always been one to volunteer for school activities so Michelle thought Johanna would have one or more activities every day after school, but Johanna is beginning to focus more on specific interests, opportunities with friends, and appreciates having more down time. 

• Favorite to eat: Grandma Millie’s tort cake
• Favorite to do: Play softball and do track
• Favorite to watch: Iowa Women’s Basketball, full house 
• Favorite to read: A Place to Hang the Moon, and Harry Potter
• Favorite to help with: Making stromboli
• Favorite to learn about: Social studies (Ms. Krow is her favorite teacher)
• Favorite to hang out with: Naya, Gabby, Jane, Esme
• You are good at: Getting homework done
• Want to get better at: Sprinting, high jump
• Makes you laugh: Walter (never Dad 🙂)
• Makes you upset:  Walter and Dad
• Favorite happen this year: Going to Branson, especially paddleboarding
• Look forward to next year: Land of Natura beach in Wisconsin Dells
• Future adventure: Go on a plane
• Future learn: Family tree stuff
• Future where live: Dubuque
• Future want to do: Teacher
• Future not want to do: Have Walter live in my basement