Whirlwind Start to 2020!

My Dearest Evan,

Wow, this year has been so full so far. You don't realize it right now, but there's a lot going on in the world right now and I'm proud to say that we've done our very best to ensure you don't realize anything is wrong at all. Since my desire is that you'll be reading this when you're graduating high school, I think it's ok to tell you that my Grandma Elinore and sister Rachel both passed away in January. And then just when we thought things were getting back to normal and we were going to have family in town for spring break, the Coronavirus hit us. This virus currently has us social distancing (staying 6 feet away from others who don't live with us) and under stay at home orders. Many places are closed but your dad and I are continuing to work from home, you stayed how for a while but are now back at Ms Patsy's every day, and her daughter, Cierra, comes over to watch Avery every day because she has to do school from home right now. It's a very strange time but it's for everyone's health and safety.

Like I said, you appear to think everything is normal. We are fortunate to actually get more time with you without having to do the commuting to work and run to practice, etc. You are talking a lot right now, saying things like "I had it first" and "wuv you too" and "yegos" for legos. You're so good with your fine motor skills, coloring and putting puzzles together and fitting shapes where they belong. You're really not supposed to be able to tell which hand someone will prefer until they are four but I'm convinced you're left handed. Avery used both hands until she was four but you are definitely preferring your left for everything you do.

You run around in circles to dance and if you don't want to go to bed, you tell us you want to cuddle - ha, which is normally good enough for us! You love doing everything Avery does and you're a big fan of the men in your life (dad and Pop). You and Avery got a small air hockey table for Christmas from your aunt Catherine and you like to turn it on and look at whoever is nearest to you and say "ready?!" as if you're gonna smoke them!

You're ticklish on your neck the most and I just love your laugh - it's infectious. You really like having raspberries blown on your tummy and you love playing This Little Piggy. Actually, you're so much like me in that if I do This Little Piggy on one foot, you insist that I even it out by doing it on the other foot (something I would definitely do). You're also like me in that you create your own chaos and you fall apart whenever something doesn't go perfectly your way. I think experiencing some more life will help with that but it's so interesting to watch my traits in someone else and know exactly what you're going through.

Here's your life in pictures right now....

Your Easter basket this year!

Easter Sunday - this is about as far as we can get from the house right now (for the most part)

You guys hard at work while I'm hard at work....in the guest room!

You're turned around in your car seat in dad's car!

Easter bunnies!

Egg hunt!

Playing with your sister - you two play together a lot right now

This was New Year's - party animals!

You can go down the slide by yourself now! :)

I was trying to take a picture of you and your precious dinosaurs but you insisted I be in on the picture

You love playing dress up with your sister

And cuddling with her!

At the fire pit!

The family that cuddles together.....stays together!

Avery had to dress up as 100 years old on the 100th day of school and you wanted in on the fun

Helping with Daddy's podcast

I got you out of bed one morning that dad wasn't home (at a conference) and you ran straight in to climb up in his spot!

Enjoying the views at Avery's soccer game!

Birthday party at the neighbor's house!

Pockets! You love pockets! And use them whenever you see dad use them!

Pooping - you definitely make it known when you poop!

Oh my heart!

We call this an Evrito - and you love it!

Pooping again!

Yes, dad got you that hat!

You started swim lessons in February and you LOVE them. And you're so very good at them! But they've had to stop while we are quarantined.....we'll get back to it soon I hope!

You like to get ready just like we do - you're very much a copier....so you have your own (broken) watch that you put on when dad puts his watch on.

My two-nager.

At Avery's school's valentine's day party.

handsome dude!

Ok so this is NOT ok but dad let you do it - you do have a habit of sticking random stuff in between your toes!

It doesn't get much better than pizza at the park!

Evrito!

Ready?!

Chillin at soccer!

My love

You got this haircut right before quarantine when barbers closed - so glad you did and you did so well....this was your first time sitting all by yourself!

Waiting for sister to be done with school - you love getting to sit in the front seat!

Why is my pillow so lumpy?

We did have your cousins and grandma and pop down for a few nights before they had to head home early to quarantine. You enjoyed the company while you had it!

And REALLY enjoyed your time with Pop

Ready to go!

We went up the mountain here to get away from everyone and enjoy the outdoors - it was perfect!

Football with dad gets a little rough

First swim of the year!

Putting you to work

Dance party!

We've had lots of arts and crafts since being restricted to home

TV yoga with sister

You two have so much fun together!

Frisbee golf!

Dressed up to go to the mailbox!

More arts and crafts....this one got out of hand!

Picnic with dad while social distancing!

Doing Avery's homework with her!

Prepping Easter eggs!

A serious super hero!

You climb on the couch by yourself now

Not sure you're really helping with the yard work

You had a good dentist checkup! This was your first time in the chair by yourself  - you weren't sure what was going on but you wound up being ok with it because Avery was in another chair and she was ok with it.

Both of you on your electronics!

While you haven't had your first pee/poop on the potty, you're definitely interested and sometimes ask for us to pull your pants down so you can sit on there too!

Working out with dad... you enjoyed this more than everyone else but you also were very much out of breath - you were working hard!

This is from today - you're my little super hero!

Evan, you're such a fun little guy. There's no one I'd rather be stuck in quarantine with than you, Avery and Dad. You have your tantrums but you also give the best hugs after time out!

All My Love,
Mom