My Dearest Avery,
You are such a busy and happy almost-seven-year-old! Since the new year, you've been able to go back to in-person learning, you've started soccer back up again, and we got a new puppy, Pascal! You're so in love with Pascal. You were excited when we told you about the dog and you have several chores to help with him including picking up his poop, which you semi-outsource to your brother. You're Pascal's favorite and he will calmly sit and wait for you to wake up in the mornings, because you're usually the last one up. Pascal is a mini goldendoodle and you're smitten.
You personally did very well with virtual school, as it helped with your computer skills and you learned to play minecraft on it. You also became very apt at using your scooter so when it broke from over-use we got you a new more advanced one. One of my favorite things we do is when putting you to bed, we talk about both of our favorite parts of our day and I also ask you if anything scared you or made you angry during the day. I think it's pretty telling that you rarely have something that made you sad or angry. You're a happy and adaptable young lady.
You love going to school in person and you have some good friends in your class, Emma and Olivia. You also love chatting with your cousin, Emma, by holding the phone yourself and wondering off with the phone to talk with her 1:1. You basically only know facetimeing (not a real phonecall) and your favorite tv show is Bluey.
I know that years from now, you'll wonder what the pandemic was like so here are a few things to document it for you....
- we didn't get to see family in person
- all clubs, including soccer stopped for a while
- both of your parents worked from home full time for the first 4 months - then, dad stopped working full time so he could parent full time and mom started going back into the office a couple of days a week
- Cierra came to watch you and play with you and Evan
- our evenings were free to spend at home together because everything was closed and we weren't supposed to be out near other people
- we started walking the bankrupt golf course near our house
- we began a new movie tradition on the weekends: one night was family movie night and one night was kid/parent movie night where we watched movies separately
- we saved more money than expected
- we got store bought items delivered to us in the car in the parking lot which was not the norm before
- we learned to use Air B&B
- you said your favorite part of COVID was all the time we spent together as a family
- you also learned some great computer skills when doing school from home
- mom's work paid for Cierra and some cool work from home gear
- we bought a bounce house to have fun while socially distanced
- Evan got private swim lessons
- all four of us got COVID in December but we survived
- by now, both mom and dad have had their first dose of the vaccine (a two-dose vaccine)
- you got to do a horseback riding summer camp - and loved it!
- we have plans to see grandma and pop in a month for your birthday!
You want your birthday to be space themed, as you want to be an astronaut and you're obsessed with all things space-related. We got you a book about the International Space Station (ISS) and you're always telling us facts about it.
Here's your life in pictures right now.....
 |
| We take a selfie each time we head out on a workout together...but you just told me this weekend that walking with me is boring :( I swear a few weeks ago you were begging to go with me! |
 |
| We took a trip to the Phoenix zoo one day - socially distanced animal viewing! |
 |
| You've had lots of engineering creations the past few months. |
 |
| New haircut! Finally felt safe going after a year of not getting a cut |
 |
| Becoming proficient at your own selfies |
 |
| Getting some grub in before heading up the mountain for a hike |
 |
| You got some science kits for Christmas so we've been testing them out |
 |
| Meeting your new pup! |
 |
| In Mandarin class you learned about Chinese New Year - and you're hooked! |
 |
| oh my heart! |
 |
| You asked for your hair to be dyed like this! |
 |
| Went to look at some plants and found farm animals! |
 |
| You read so well right now and your favorite book is "The Book With No Pictures" which I know my grandma Elinore would love because she gave you that book! |
 |
| New park near our home! |
 |
| Playing Evan's new game with him |
 |
| Snow!!! |
 |
| Trying out the new BBQ place in town! |
 |
| Third tooth down! |
 |
| You love making lego creations! |
 |
| How to get on a BIG horse! |
 |
| The pampering at the end of a week horseback riding! |
 |
| We rented out a theater for socially distanced viewing of the new Tom and Jerry movie - it was silly but you and Evan both loved it! |
 |
| New scooters! |
 |
| School picture! |
 |
| Doesn't everyone do family pizza night on butcher paper in their swim suits? |
 |
| Yard dice! |
 |
| Pascal's first walk! |
 |
| Coloring Easter eggs! |
 |
| You had an Easter egg fashion show |
Oh Bave, I love everything about you - even the fact that you don't tell the whole truth when you try to explain something you're not sure if you're going to get in trouble about. It tells me a lot about you and the way your mind works. You're a smart cookie, at the top of your class but some things take a lot of work, which is good. You got bit during horseback riding (not really sure that happened but that's what you say happened) and you want to go back!
Today's Easter and you turn SEVEN soon! Can't wait to see what's next for you, my dear!
All my heart,
Mom
