Your Sixth Birthday

Dearest Harper,

You requested Dutch Bros and Starbread for breakfast, so when you woke up, we quick hopped in the car and went to pick up your birthday cake frost and seniorita bread. 

You asked for a Lego birthday party, and that's what you got! We had a smaller than usual birthday party for you given the pandemic is still going strong. We only invited your grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousins. Our friends and their kids, as well as a few extra family members who usually come, had to sit this one out. Hopefully by your next birthday, the virus will be under control and we can go back to a bigger celebration (although I'm not going to lie - having only 3 kids was SO much easier!)

 

 After the party, we went out to dinner at the restaurant of your choice - Red Robin! The meal ended with a sundae and the servers singing to you, something you were thrilled about!

You said this was the best birthday ever. I feel like this was the first year you REALLY understood and appreciated that the day was about YOU. It was fun to watch the joy on your face all day long. 

And of course, we ended your special day with a double smooch!

I look forward to what this year will bring for you. You are already so very smart, kind, thoughtful, sweet, and funny. You definitely can be fairly sassy, and we've been having to put you in check a bit more than usual lately, but I think you're learning what's socially acceptable and testing your boundaries. We're tough on you just because we don't want you to grow up to be an asshole. You LOVE to be tickled, and I do it eagerly because you have the best laugh in the world. I worry about your self confidence sometimes - when asked to tell us something good about yourself, you often say "I don't know," or if we pay you a compliment or give you praise, you often reply with "You really think so?" ABSOLUTELY! You are an absolutely amazing kid, and every day we think about how lucky we are that you're OURS.

I love you,

Mommy

 

First Day(s) of Kindergarten!

 Dearest Harper,

August 10th - Because of the pandemic, this school year began virtually. You meet with your whole class on Zoom for about 30 minutes each day, then your teacher, Mrs Wofford, breaks you into groups of 5 or so to work more one-on-one. Your group meets from 12-1245, which is terribly inconvenient, as it's in the middle of the day, but it is what it is. In between the meetings, you work on math and reading and writing on your own. Well, you're 5 years old, so it's not really ON YOUR OWN, as Mommy and Daddy have to guide you, but you're smart, so it's easy.

(This picture was actually taken about a week or two before school started, when we went to pick up your supplies.)

Mrs Wofford did assessments in the second week of school - numbers 1-20, letters of the alphabet (capital and lowercase, and their sounds) - and you aced it all! Mrs Wofford put her chin in her hands and said, "Well Harper, that's Kindergarten. What do we do with you now?!"  

September 21st - The numbers of new infections have been staying low, so things are opening back up, including schools, but on a modified schedule. You go 5 days a week, but the school is split in two - half in the morning, half in the afternoon, to help maintain social distancing. You, of course, are in the afternoon session (insert eye roll here.) Mondays you go from 1125-125, and the rest of the days you go from 1150-220. You still have work to do independently at home, as 2.5 hours definitely isn't enough time for everything.

There are 10 kids in your cohort, and you guys wear your masks unless you're outside. Two kids sit on opposite ends of the little tables, and there is a plexiglass shield between you. Mrs Wofford wipes everything down between classes. You are smart enough to understand the risks of returning to school, and after many talks, we trust you to make the right decisions with your classmates - no physical contact, no sharing, things like that. 

We always take you out to lunch to celebrate the first day of school. You were thrilled with your build-your-own ice cream sundae!

You're still doing well in school, but you ARE ahead of everyone else, so you finish faster and get bored and impatient waiting for everyone else. Mrs Wofford has had to talk with you a few times about patience, and now you have extra work to keep you busy.

Although definitely not traditional, so far, this school year is going well. Thank goodness you're an easy going, flexible, adaptable kid.

I love you,

Mommy

Fourth of July 2020

 Dearest Harper,

While Danyel and Jason did indeed throw a party this year, Mommy and Daddy weren't comfortable going, given the state health officials specifically asked people NOT to have parties. We're trying to be mindful and think of the bigger picture - everyone else's health and stopping the spread of this virus - over the smaller picture - our own desires to socialize and do things with friends. 

Instead, we went swimming at a friend's who was gone at a party of her own, then came home to eat hot dogs and do fireworks. It was quiet, just the 3 of us, and I especially was sad to miss out on the fun we always have as a group, but being safe and healthy is smarter. There will be many more 4th of Julys.

I love you,

Mommy

Easter 2020

 Dearest Harper,

Because of the pandemic and everyone being on lock down, our usual Easter festivities were cancelled this year, but we had a good day, just us. 

You're becoming a good little artist, and I couldn't help but share your drawings of the Easter Bunny.

Of course we decorated eggs and set out everything the Easter Bunny would need.

Easter morning we woke up to see what the Easter Bunny left for you, and did an egg hunt. I made bunny butt pancakes for breakfast, and we can't forget the double smooch!

I love you,

Mommy

Valetine's Day 2020

 Dearest Harper,

Valentine's Day was a school day, and you couldn't have looked any cuter with your outfit and "I love you" signs for the picture!

We were tasked to bring grapes for a fruit salad, and you handed out Skittles valentines to your classmates. And of course Mrs Mooney is wonderful and deserved a little something special. At the end of the day you brought home a specially decorated bag full of Valentine's Day goodies! And, of course, we did a double smooch!

I love you,

Mommy

New Year 2020

 Dearest Harper,

Mommy and Daddy went to Jason and Danyel's to welcome the new year, as usual. This time we left you to celebrate with your Gaga and Agi. 

 

 

 We brought you a cookie from the party, and of course did our double traditional smooch!

 

 

Here's to a great year!

I love you,

Mommy
 

Christmas 2019

 Dearest Harper,

Because I'm off work to help Daddy with his shoulder surgery, we were able to spread out our Christmas celebrations and really enjoy the time with our families.

First up - your yearly photo with Santa!

 

We met Bop and Monnie in Sutter's Creek for the day. We ate at a restaurant, went shopping and wine and cheese tasting, then opened gifts out of the backs of our cars in a parking lot. It was a really good day. 

We spent the day making tamales with Daddy's family on the 23rd, like we always do. Then we ate so many of them and opened gifts together as a family.

Christmas morning was just us, then we went to have dinner with Nana and Papa and family.

I love you,

Mommy