Starting 2023 with a Bang!

 My Dearest Evan,

You have had a wonderful start to the new year! You finished out the winter soccer session so well that they bumped you up to the next level of soccer in the Youth Development Academy! It's harder - you're not scoring tons of goals and you're sort of back at the rear of the pack but it's good for your growth and development.....and you like your coaches. 

You're also still in Webby - practicing dance moves for the spring show, in about a month! And school is getting you prepped for starting Kindergarden in the fall! I can't believe you have less than two months left before you're a Kindergardener!

We've started talking a lot more about your emotions and how they are impacted by your tiredness or your hungriness. You're starting to connect the dots but that doesn't always make those situations easier. We can tell you're processing it all though. You've started talking about how you want to marry me (or Amelia at school - haha). And one of my favorite parts of the day is when you wake up and come over to me to cuddle first thing. I just try to soak it up because I know some day you won't want to do that anymore.

You're really into hot wheels and drawing right now and you've been asking to try tennis so we're doing one tennis camp and one soccer camp for you this summer! You like riding your bike and your roller skates you got for Christmas and you still like the water table! We just had a parent/kid day with you yesterday because your school was closed (Avery's was still in session) so we did all the things - "chocolate panpakes" for breakfast, made play-doh, picnic at the park, playground, dog park, and saw the new Mario Bros movie! 

The main trip we took so far was a trip to Legoland California for Rodeo Break. It wasn’t the best of weather but you and Avery enjoyed yourselves. We also spent a night in a cabin on Mt Lemmon! That was loads of fun – and we did a few other day-activities for Spring Break!

Here’s your life in pictures right now….

Five year checkup! You did great - getting better at taking shots too!

Backyard fun!

Lunch with Mom! You wanted McDonald's (we don't go there a lot)

Crumbl cookie!

"Mom, will you play with me?"

Firetruck birthday!

Preschool fun!

Still taking pictures before school!

Working on your writing!

Still sucking your thumb :(

SO MANY HOURS on the soccer fields for Avery - you do great for the most part!

And you got to tag along to Dave and Buster's in between games!

Helping Dad get some groceries for Mom!

Your soccer game!

Hanging out while Avery does her riding lesson. You want to ride too!

Cake pop!

This is the team you graduated from!

Oh my heart!

Helping Dad make protein balls!

We still do our walks!

Watching soccer (always)!

So cute!

Trying to make cake pops with Dad!

Your valentines :)

Legoland! You two had a bunk room together!

Locked up!

Playing with the other siblings at Avery's soccer game!

Riding in the wagon!

Woke you up early when it snowed THREE INCHES so we could play in it before it melted!

Snow in school!

Fishing over spring break!

Mohawk for school! You actually weren't happy with how it turned out - it was my first try :(

Sibling love!

Not a bad view for all the time we spend here - this is Naranja Park!

Preschool fun!

Dad caught a rainbow trout!

Seeing the Royals play during spring training (and your spring break)!

Random treat at Licks in Catalina (so good)!

We'll see how you like tennis soon!

Trains at school!

"Mom, my syrup made a heart!.....I'm gonna break you!"

More ice cream!

You love kids vs coaches!

Hanging with other kiddos at Avery's last soccer game!

Parent/kid day on Good Friday! "Chocolate panpakes"

Broke out the water table - you did find a way to snorkel in there!

You were looking forward to this picnic all week!

Helping Avery test out Funtasticks for her birthday. You didn't like the big splash buckets but you did have some fun!

Evan, you're becoming a big kid right before my eyes. You're a really good student for your teachers (you've never been to calming corner, knock on wood) and you've made some great friends at school. You're really excited to be heading to the same school as Avery next year (and so are we)! I just love watching you grow! 

All My Love,

Mom