2020 - The Pandemic Year

 What a year it has been. On mommy's birthday March 13th, the schools decided to shut down for two weeks in order to control a global pandemic called COVID-19 that was making a lot of people sick.  Well two weeks turned into 6 months and you never went back to school the rest of first grade. 

Second grade has been a little bit of in-school and a little bit of online learning. The online learning is not that fun and I wish for you to get back to school as soon as possible. When you are in school, they make the kids wear masks and stay separated which is a little sad. It has been determined that kids are very safe in school from this virus, so I'm hopeful that you'll go back in January. But you have had a great attitude and have handled it very well. I'm very very proud of you.

Also, I haven't been to work since March either! I have been working from home this whole time which has been very hard but also given me a lot more time to see you and Benny. We haven't been able to do much or go to many places because a lot of them are closed, and I think we have all become a lot closer because of it. You and Benny are closer than ever and I hope it never changes. 

Right now, you're both pretty obsessed with poop and potty words. It's not too bad yet, but I just hope you don't say it in front of other people! It's every other word out of your mouths when you're home. 

We spent a lot of time inside, so I got you set up on a virtual bike riding game that I use! You really really like it and are really really good at it! I hope we always have a common interest in exercising together :)

We flew the kite for something to do outside because we spent so much time inside...

We did a lot of fires in the driveway because we wanted to get out of the house but it was so cold all spring!

2020 Skiing

This year you have your own skis and a membership to the local ski spot (boston mills)! We got out a few times and you started going down the blue hills!

Im not sure who has more fun on these ski trips - you or me... Next year we'll probably try bringing Benny!

Father Daughter Dance 2020

Dont mind the dates on these posts - I'm jumping around a bit...

This was your 1st grade father/daughter dance for SJJ at the Holiday Inn in Strongsville. Can't believe how grown up you look all dressed up! It was a really fun night even though you spent a lot of time running around with your friends and stealing cupcakes... :)

This is you with your friend Shaylee - You both have the same birthday!!!

Cool Lego Time-Lapse Video!

It's about a month after Christmas and one of you favorite things to do with me is Legos. This one is from Frozen and even though we already put it together once, we took it all apart so we could do it again in a time-lapse video.

It's so cool and you are so good at following the directions on these! I love that Benny couldn't break your concentration even with some marble cheese! :) 

When we were taking apart the legos to redo them for the video, I asked if you wanted to leave some of the pieces put together so we could make the video faster - You said no, lets take them all apart so we can spend more time together. 😭

Part 1:

Part 2:

More Racing!

Sunday was the beginning of a 5-race series where you earn points based on how you finish. It was 1/4 mile and you finished 6/26 giving you 5 points! I'm so proud of you and I can't wait until the next one!

I love that you are willing to try almost anything even if you are scared and don't want to. Sometimes it takes a lot of work and talking beforehand, but you almost always try and I am very proud of that.

You are such a sweet and thoughtful girl - I hope that never changes. As I sit at my desk at work today, I think about how much I miss you, Benny and Mommy and wish that I was with you!

1st Ski Trip!

On Saturday, I took you to Boston Mills ski resort and we spent about 4 hours there. This was your very first time trying skiing. I had an idea that it would be something you would enjoy and be good at.

Since it was March, the weather was about 45-50 degrees but they had a ton of snow which made it the perfect first day!

:)

By the way, we watched The Greatest Showman this weekend - You guys love it and all the songs. We danced all over the house together yesterday to the songs. :) Last night, I told mom that this was one of the best weekends of my life.

This is what it is all about. I know you're going to have some tough days ahead of you as you grow up, but I hope you realize someday that its all about family. We love you and Benny so much!

Ice Skating on President's Day

Yesterday was Presidents Day so we had the day off. In the morning we went swimming at the rec with Benny and had a lot of fun on the Pirate Ship and you showing off how far you could swim under the water. You're an amazing swimmer and always have been. Benny is really starting to get brave too and loves to go under water.

When Benny was napping, you and I took off for the ice rink! You really got into ice skating this year and it is so fun to do in the winter. It's amazing how fast you got the hang of it and started skating by yourself.  Today there was a kid there from your school who was a year older. He was super fast and plays hockey so you made me take your hand and pull you as fast as I could to make it look like you could skate just as fast :) 

Always need to finish skating with the famous veggie tray!

As I sit at my desk at work today, I think back to what a great day it was and how much I love spending time with you - Especially when its just the two of us. I wonder how much longer it will be that you still hold my hand while we ice skate.

I love you buddy!