Christmas 2021

 Dearest Harper,

Well, this year's picture with Santa is so much better than last year's, but if I had known you had to keep your mask on, I would have color coordinated better...

 

 

Since I worked Christmas Day, we woke up and celebrated and exchanged our gifts the morning of Christmas Eve. 

 Then we went to celebrate and have dinner with GG and Grandad and that side of the family. When we got home, we quick prepared for Santa's visit by setting out cookies and his magic key, and doing our double smooch.

 We woke up extra early Christmas morning, before I left for work, to see what Santa left for us.

Then you and Daddy surprised me at work! Well, you can't come inside the hospital because of Covid, but you left me a surprise in my car to find when I came home at the end of the day! It made me smile so much!

We planned to meet Bop and Monnie a few days after Christmas in Sutter's Creek, to visit and exchange gifts, but we all caught a small cold and our Covid test results weren't back in time, so we had to reschedule. Still, nearly 2 years later, this pandemic is affecting so much of our lives, but it's really better to be safe. We ended up giving each other our gifts when we saw them while visiting to say goodbye to GG, and planned to open them together via Face Time.

 

We ended up having Christmas with Gaga and Agi and that side of the family on New Year's Eve, when we got together for Tamale Day, since it had to be postponed from the usual date because Gaga had a Covid exposure (but thankfully didn't catch it.) There's no family picture because Auntie Cassie actually got really, really drunk from the tamale tequila.

A weird Christmas this year, with the cancellations and having to be flexible and adaptable, but this pandemic isn't over yet, and being safe is the most important thing.

I love you,

Mommy

Thanksgiving 2021

 Dearest Harper,

We started Thanksgiving day by going to the movies to see Encanto!

Then we had dinner with Daddy's side of the family, where you gave us all gifts where you drew a picture and told us what you were thankful for. Nobody put you up to that, sweetie, you just took it upon yourself to do that. It shows what a kind, thoughtful girl you are. 

Double smooch!

 I am always so thankful for you, my girl. Happy Thanksgiving!

I love you,

Mommy

Halloween 2021

 Dearest Harper,

It was a bit of an adventure choosing your costume this year. You wanted to be something scary, and even chose something that we bought and brought home, but once you tried it on, you didn't like the mask over your face. So back to the store we went, where you hemmed and hawed, decided and undecided, and finally settled, and I do mean settled, on this vampire. In the end you were happy with your choice, and in my opinion, you looked spectacular (although it was very weird seeing you with lipstick for the first time!)

The Murphys invited us over for a spaghetti dinner before trick or treating, so we did that, then roamed the neighborhood together and gathered all the candy. It was a ton of fun.

But we forgot the double smooch... 

I love you,

Mommy

Your Seventh Birthday

 Dearest Harper,

Same as last year, you chose to start your special day with a Dutch Bros frost and seniorita bread. I mean, it IS a delicious tradition!

This was the first birthday party where you invited friends from school. And it was the first birthday party where it rained. And rain it did love! It POURED! So we held your party in the garage. Sure, not the most glamorous, but better than canceling. And it gave Mommy and Daddy a really good excuse to clean the garage, so thanks for that!

You are super into Pokemon, so naturally that's the theme you chose. I made pokeball invitations, pokeball pizzas, veggie, and fruit trays, and a pokeball punch game. It was a fun theme to work with. You had fun, and so did your friends.

Happy 7th birthday, my smart, kind, funny, beautiful little girl. Being your Mommy has been an absolute joy. I love the person you're becoming, and look forward to learning more of who you are. 

 The weather really was terrible the day of your birthday, and we didn't want to go out in it, so a few days later we belatedly celebrated with your favorites - dinner at Red Robin and frozen yogurt for dessert. 

A wonderful couple days for a wonderful little girl.

I love you,

Mommy

First Day of 1st Grade

 Dearest Harper,

Despite Covid still going strong, school is starting in person, and you only have to wear a mask. There's no social distancing dividers between you and the student next to you like in Kindergarten, there's no modified schedules, and you can take your mask off at recess. We stress the importance of washing your hands and not touching your face, and you're actually really good about it, so we can just hope you stay safe and healthy. 

Here's your stuff, a few days before school starts. Your teacher's name is Mrs Naake. You're ready to be a FIRST GRADER! Oh sweetie, where does the time go?!

First day of school picture!

 And a couple months later, your school picture. My goodness you're adorable!

Your parent-teacher conference in the beginning of November went really well. Naturally you're excelling in everything. You're a quick learner, good example, and a big helper. 

Around the beginning of December you came to me and told me you're bored at school a lot. I emailed Mrs Naake and let her know. She said the beginning of the year is full of a lot of review, in order for the teachers to assess where the students are, and promised things would pick up when school resumed after the holidays. In the mean time, she gave you an extra reading project to keep you occupied. You said you're happy with it.

I love you,

Mommy

Fourth of July 2021

 Dearest Harper,

We got brave amidst the pandemic and went to Jason and Danyel's. Everything was outside anyway...

We spent the day with friends swimming and eating and drinking (well, not you...) There was tons of laughter. We lit fireworks outside, and you were ok about it for a little bit, then the noise got you down. You definitely don't like loud noises...

You never really perked back up, and were kind of a party pooper the rest of the night. Oh well...

I love you,

Mommy

Easter 2021

 Dearest Harper,

You are always so proud of your eggs!

Here's what we left for the Easter Bunny the night before, and what we discovered the next morning. Mostly, I love that you wanted to take a picture. Like parents, like daughter, right?

 Then we got ready for a very busy day. We made THREE visits with family!

 Can't forget the double smooch!

 You had a great day, sweetie! It's such a joy to watch you playing and being so happy. 

I love you,

Mommy