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

Valentine's Day 2021

 Dearest Harper,

What a wonderful Valentine's Day we had together!

The day started with exchanging gifts.

Then we went for a long walk.

 We got pedicures and went out for dinner.

We stopped at the market on the way home and got stuff to make homemade Oreo milkshakes for dessert. My god they were good!

And finally, you know how we always end a holiday... DOUBLE SMOOCH! At least you smiled for this one!

Happy Valentine's Day, sweetie. I had a really good day with you guys.

I love you,

Mommy

New Year 2021

 Dearest Harper,

Because of the Covid pandemic, Mommy and Daddy stayed home from the usual New Year's Eve party we go to. We put you to bed, but woke you up about 15 min before midnight, so we could ring in the new year together.

Lately the double smooch is becoming a problem for you, but we don't care, it's tradition!

 Here's to a better year than 2020, yeah?

I love you,

Mommy

Christmas 2020

 Dearest Harper,

So, I HATE this year's picture with Santa. I mean, yeah, you can't sit with him and he has a mask on (at least you could take YOURS off), but that's ok, that's just documentation of this historic pandemic. I hate that they've zoomed so far out! It's hard to see Santa (they could have seated you to the side a bit more) but they could have zoomed in - you can see the floor and the "stand here" X on it! It only came in a 6x8m because of the decorative border, but the frame we have is 5x7, so I had to cut off a bunch of the border. What sense does that make?! And you want to know what's even worse?! After we took the pictures, as we walked around the mall, we saw a Grinch photo spot, and we thought it was PERFECT for this year! You could even choose between a few Dr Seuss sayings, and one of them was "2020 - stink, stank, stunk" which pretty much describes this whole pandemic year... But anyway, I hate this picture and I hate this year, so I guess it fits. 

But you're adorable, as always!

See, I'm not the only one who hated this year!

 

 

The timing was perfect - all you want for Christmas is your 2 front teeth!

 

Getting ready for Santa!

Bop and Monnie spent the night so they could wake up and do Christmas morning with you!

And, as always, we spent time with family.

Gotta do our traditional holiday double smooch!

 Another wonderful holiday celebration. To many more together!

I love you,

Mommy