Whirlwind Summer 2022!

 My Dearest Avery,

Oh Avery, it has been as crazy busy summer! After you got back from the cabin in Ruidoso, we were home for a couple of weeks and then off we went to the vacation of a lifetime in Hawaii! We went all over Oahu, including Waikiki, then up to Turtle Bay and then back down to Ko Olina for the Disney Resort there! It was an amazing trip but having been gone for 9 days, we were all ready to go home. You also managed to be the only one of us who didn't catch COVID while there - which is proof that your booster shot in June really did work, despite how much it hurt getting it!

We got home from Hawaii and dad went off to do stuff for the alumni board so we had a mommy/kid weekend and you did a week at horseback riding camp. Then we packed up the car and went out to Houston to do space camp which was amazing! That was your big birthday gift, since you still want to be an astronaut! You and Evan both had so much fun at camp! 

When we got back from space camp, it was basically time to start school! You're in third grade and it sounds like you're really enjoying playing with a girl named Natalie in your class. In one of the first weeks of school you managed to fall from the monkey bars and really hurt yourself - we think you have a bone bruise. You've gone from always hobbling around to hobbling when running or when you over-do it, but all of that is not good for soccer because you've become the slowest player on the team (since you're hobbling). We think as of this weekend, you're better but now you have to prove to your coach why you belong on the team because you've not been able to show what you can do lately.

You've been doing everything with dad lately. When he goes to the store, you go to the store; when it comes time to sit in a booth at a restaurant, you always want to sit with him. I'm glad you have a good relationship with your dad and I appreciate the fact that he's able to take you to all the places all over town to engage and have fun.

You're doing well at school so far. You've learned about the continents and you're writing sentences and small paragraph responses to chapter books you're reading. When you're playing at home, you like to open up a shop to have us come to and buy things (rocks, stickers, nail polish, etc). You also like to play with Rita across the street since she's in your grade at Basis. You do soccer two nights a week and horseback riding one night a week and you'll start soccer games and tournaments on the weekends soon. 

You've started growing up on us a bit - asking really thoughtful, introspective questions and making decisive points as a part of a conversation. You're not good at quick decision making so we're hoping to improve that in soccer. You're really learning some grit in horseback riding because you have to do everything yourself (walk the horse, brush the horse, clean the hoves, etc). You're the last in the house to get up in the mornings and you like to walk Pascal when we do our weekly family walk (you're Pascal's favorite). You like to watch Bluey and you're hopeless at keeping your room clean. You and I are the exact opposites when it comes to style but I do like that you own your style and it makes you confident - that's what matters.

You still naturally reach for a parent's hand when crossing a street but I'm gathering that's not going to last much longer now that you're getting taller. You are so caring for your brother and while he may drive you crazy some times, you are fiercely protective of him. 

Here is your life in pictures right now.....

Dbacks game with dad - after visiting the science center nearby

Top Golf with Dad - did you guys miss ANYTHING this summer?!

Girls only walk! Well, Pascal was ok ;)

Dad was teaching you some programming skills this summer!

Testing out pineapple drinks

On one of our weekly walks!

Weekly selfie before our walk! You like walking Pascal.

Father's Day brunch at the Marana Ritz Carlton!

Marana fountains - you used to go here a lot before we moved to Oro Valley

Pizza Hut free pan pizza for your summer reading!

Teaching you and Evan to stand up for your rights by signing a petition!

At the airport, ready for Hawaii!

Landed!

You loved the leis!

Breakfast at the Moana Surfrider!

Waikiki beach at sunrise!

At Pearl Harbor - brutal sun in the eyes!

On the USS Missouri, watching the USS Oklahoma come into Pearl Harbor!

In the lobby of our Waikiki Hotel!

Shuffleboard of course!

Tons of beach fun on this trip!

Watching an impromptu luau

You really loved riding the waves at Waikiki

Our room at Turtle Bay Resort

Lunch at the ranch where they filmed Jurrasic Park!

Fancy drink at a macadamia nut farm

Trying to catch up with Evan!

Snorkeling in the lagoon next to our Turtle Bay hotel

nap time shenanigans with Dad!

Horses at Turtle Bay!

We hiked to a waterfall at Waimea Falls and got to swim there! You and I had loads of fun there!

My 40th birthday dinner!

We got professional pictures while in Hawaii - I'm loading all the ones with you in them here!

Not happy - I forget why

At the Dole pineapple plantation

Dole Whips at the Dole Pineapple Plantation!

The Disney Aluani Resort!

Ready for our Paradise Cove luau!

Goofy!

Getting our seats early at the Disney resort required eating breakfast there!

Oh man, crazy days!

At the luau!

The lagoon at the Disney resort!

Making your mouse ears!

Mommy/kid walk during mommy/kid weekend!

Space camp bound!

Slip n slide in the backyard!

Riding camp!

Baking contest!

Breaking from the rain to program some :)

Finished the first day of space camp with a simulated space glove!

Dad's birthday dinner in Houston!

You got to do so much in Space Camp, including set off rockets!

Couldn't visit Houston without going to an Astros game!

And of course a summer visit to see the Home Depot turtles!

Going swimming with a doll in a swimsuit of course!

First day of Third Grade!

Saturday Home Depot project!

Evan still gets pics in front of school and you join in!

Soccer practice!

Emergency responders event!

Sing 2 at the Oro Valley Community Center, on a golf course with a beautiful sunset!

Always playing in the rain!

You did a spa one day - Dad and I both got our nails painted!

Practice never stops!

Next to Dad, watching an Arsenal game early in the morning at a local bar (we don't get the games at home)!

Science center!

You love the nature exhibit at the science center!

Desert Legos!

Wow, Avery - I'm not sure what we missed doing this summer! It was fantastic and oh so fun! I hope you keep some of the memories from what you did - it was such a whirlwind but a blast all along! I can't believe all that we made happen! And I can't wait to see how you do with soccer and your riding! We've also got family coming for Thanksgiving so lots more fun to come!

All my love,

Mom