The Holiday Season (2020 Version)!

 My Dearest Avery,

You're so strong and I'm impressed with your ability to handle the chaos and confusion during this pandemic. You have managed learning from home very well and I think you enjoy working your school projects with your dad. You were able to go to school in person for two days before Thanksgiving but then they shut down due to an increase in cases in the area. You were afraid of going to school at first because of the virus but you quickly adjusted and really thoroughly enjoyed yourself those two days. While we're still all in virtual at least until mid-January, you're super excited to go back in person. And I'm excited for you too, as I love the energy you bring home with you after attending in person. There are only about 13 students in class with you so it's very manageable at this point.

You were a unicorn for Halloween and you loved it. Instead of trick-or-treating, we did a Halloween party at home. We did some cookie decorating, got some toy packages from the local toy store and your cousins Emma and William, trick-or-treated inside the house (dad was on one side of the house and I was on the other side and you and Evan ran back and forth between us), and had s'mores! You also got to camp on the floor in mom and dad's room that night. Overall, I think you had a great Halloween and you said it was the best one yet (WIN)!

At the beginning of December, we became a COVID positive household. I don't know how we got it but it hit us all, I think. Evan just got the sniffles but you got the worst headache you've ever had and you had a fever for 48 hours. Your highest temperature was 102.5, which was so scary but Tylenol provided temporary relief and dad's good at breaking fevers. 48 hours later, you just remembered the bad headache. I had some mild symptoms and dad got it the worst but you wouldn't know it because he was still helping you through school every step of the way! Your headache and fever were my sign that it was time to get tested so I went alone and found out a few days later that it was positive. We are so thankful the symptoms were manageable for all of us and that that's behind us! The vaccine is rolling out in phases right now so it's currently being given to healthcare workers - you're afraid of the shot but we've been trying to help you understand that it's for your health in the long-run and it's important. 

You were supposed to get your umbilical hernia operated on at the end of December but because you had COVID earlier that month, we canceled (not sure the impact of having that and going straight into anesthesia). It turned out for the best, as the hospital canceled all elective procedures starting after Christmas anyway because they were overwhelmed with COVID cases.

For Hanukkah, we wrapped three gifts for local community members in bad health and for Christmas, you got mostly beauty (i.e. a vanity) and unicorn and science project items. You're so into science these days, it amazes me. You love chemical science experiments and robotics - in fact, you want to create a robot that cleans your room - haha! It's a great idea and I just hope to be able to keep up with your interest!

As you grow, I see that you're very sensitive to other people's feelings and you respond accordingly. I love that you are able to gauge that and adjust. You struggle to listen the first time we tell you something, which is something we're working on with you but as someone who thinks like her father, it may be hopeless :) You love playing with your brother and sharing with him but you also like some separation, which is totally fair. When you want separation, you generally try to play in your room by yourself. I can't wait for the day when you can safely play with friends again.

You and I take long walks (scoots for you on your scooter) on the deserted golf course near the house. I love that time with you - we talk about everything and it gives me a good feel for what's on your mind. Our favorite game is "what's your favorite...." And when we put you to bed each night, you like to ask us what our favorite part of the day was and you tell us your favorite part of the day - I love this tradition!

Here's your life in pictures right now.....

These are the professional pics from Utah - you were a bit stiff in your poses which surprised me but of course they still turned out beautiful! You insisted on this dress so we put our outfits together around your dress colors!

Traveling in style!

Wanted to capture your at-home learning environment - you've got a great set up!

Oh my, my little diva!

Soccer!

Soccer as a unicorn!

This was on the golf course - there are two tunnels on the loop we do that both you an Evan just love!

Who doesn't love Halloween cupcakes?! This was one of the many things your cousins sent you for Halloween fun during the pandemic!

Pumpkins! You and Evan both loved the face attachments we also got from your cousins! You actually carried them around for days, talking to them like they were your friends!

Gift bags from the toy shop!

Cookie decorating!

Finding Halloween bags of goodies in the back yard!

S'mores!

One of your favorite activities right now - with Evan!

My heart!

One of your many engineering designs! You're doing great!

A fort: another engineering design!

Stylin' while playing out front!

Getting your mask ready for school!

Engineering design!

Painting!

Playing the unicorn poop game....yes, that actually exists!

Ready to go.....and dad hit a yard light again!

Coloring the tablecloth for Thanksgiving!

The gifts we made for those less fortunate for Hanukkah!

Hanukkah tablecloth too!

A boat for engineering!

Lego advent! You had Harry Potter!

Dress in your cold weather gear day at school!

You're learning to play chess with dad! You say you're not very good but you're SIX! Not many six year olds figuring this game out right now!

Engineering!

Your menorah!

Once we all recovered from COVID, we felt the need to get out so we spent the night at a fancy resort with lots of fun Christmas activities and decorations to view!

Watching a movie in the play room with your brother - you love doing a kids movie in there and then camping on the floor!

At the resort - in an igloo!

Your wish on the lantern at the resort!

On the ferris wheel!

You met Princess Noel and thought it was strange that we were staying at the Princess resort but you didn't see any other princesses while we were there :) You loved dancing to the music in the courtyard that night!

Train ride to look at the lights at the resort!

A favorite gift?!?! Tissue paper for the win! Thanks grandma and grandpa!

Baby Yoda?! Is that you?

Making Christmas cookies and you're obviously not pleased with your brother's behavior!

A gift from grandma and pop!

Celebrating Evan's third birthday!

You guys had a blast on Evan's birthday, jumping on the new bounce house!

My heart!

Santa left a note!

And you raked it in!

Enjoying your new haul before a Christmas movie!

Oh Avery, it's been an eventful couple of months! Now it's time to hunker down and get back into our routines. You start school tomorrow and I start back up at work. You're SO GOOD at school but I think you struggle most with listening and time management. I'm so proud of you and can't wait for us to get vaccines so we can get even more back to normal (and go on trips! you're still pretending to visit resorts - haha)!

One of my favorite things to do is cuddle with you before you go to sleep - I love hearing some of your last thoughts of the day and I love that you're considerate enough to ask me my favorite part of my day.

All my heart,

Mom