Fall 2024 - Better Late Than Never!

My Dearest Evan,

I know this is a bit late for a Q4 post - I do try to do them at the beginning of each quarter but the time has slipped away quickly! You've been so very busy with school, hockey, climbing, trips and tagging along to your sister's events that it's really been hard to keep up! 

So since the last post, you went to the San Diego with friends so Avery could do a soccer camp out there. Luckily they have siblings your age so you had a blast! You also did a Top Golf camp at the end of the summer which you really enjoyed and then we took one more quick trip out to LA to see Arsenal play! That was really cool to see - Martinelli showed us some of his famous footwork! 

Once school started, it was heavy into Avery's sports schedule but you caught up by doing a fall break rock climbing camp which you loved enough to join as a club each weekend. You also decided you wanted to play hockey, so we signed you up for a Learn to Skate program and we worked on getting you ice time when in Phoenix for Avery's events because they have more ice options up there (we only have the TCC here in Tucson). You sped through Learn to Skate like nobody's business - you really have a knack for skating (but you still have trouble stopping - you're working on it, though). So you went into Learn to Play and again you were one of the more advanced kids out there - so you just last week started into the 8U hockey training. It's more intense and more at your level but you're running drills and playing scrimmages now. I think you like this more but when you carry the equipment, you did mention that you didn't realize how much equipment came with being a hockey player (to be honest, I didn't either). I really like that you have two sports like Avery - one more intense schedule and one on a regular drum-beat schedule. You seem to be enjoying both for now.

We did a Phoenix respite for Labor Day Weekend and you had your birthday party in November at Rock Solid so it didn't interfere with hockey or the holidays! Over Thanksgiving, we stayed in Tucson but then Avery and Dad took a quick trip out to Roswell to visit Grandma so you and I had some Mommy/Son time at home!

In your normal day-to-day life, you're wearing hoodies like your life depends on it, rewearing socks when I don't notice you haven't changed them, and losing teeth like crazy (you've lost 3 this month). You wind up disappointed the Tooth Fairy only leaves you $2 bills (not $20s). You are good to your friends and you tell people when they aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing :) You love doing art and making bracelets/necklaces with a few kits we gave you and Avery. You enjoy riding your bike and skateboarding or even doing some street hockey with Dad. You love playing games and you still come and sit in my lap when you wake up in the morning - that will never get old for me. 

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

San Diego vacation while Avery works hard at camp!

Legoland!

You preferred riding with other parents, as opposed to Dad (I didn't go on this trip, unfortunately)

Padres game!

I taught you and Avery how to ride two-wheeled bikes this summer! You both learned super quickly and now you're constantly asking to go on your bike.

You had some great artwork at art camp in June

Helping Avery set her locker up for school

Angels game!

We took Dad to a Disney character breakfast for his birthday when we were in LA!

Arsenal game!

Helping in the kitchen, which you're doing more and more often lately

Hockey life!

At a tournament that Avery's team won!

You like to be the cameraman at Avery's games - so you get some selfies!

Skater Boy is one of your favorite songs - this is in Phoenix. Since we're there so much for Avery's soccer, we try to get you to a skate park or ice rink when we can!

You're very good with balancing yourself

Learning how to fall at hockey!

We got free tickets to a Wildcats football game!

You were Jack Skellington for Halloween!

Birthday Boy!

At Avery's practices, you shag balls for the team - you're really a huge help to them all and they miss you when you're not there (you won't be there as much going forward because of the hockey schedule).

Your art skills at work!

Learning about $$$

You made it to the top!

First day of First Grade!

Skating for life!

Avery's teaching you how to tie shoes!

Fun in the pool at the Biltmore over Labor Day!

At the Biltmore, we had an awesome small pool right outside our room that was all ours every evening!

Premises is an indoor skate park you like to go to!

First day of school!

Field trip to the Desert Museum....since I lost Allen last year, I didn't go but your best friend, Alex, had his mom go and you were in her group!

More Hockey!

You like to ride your bike while I run with Pascal - you're very good on the golf course next to our house!

Winter performance! You did great!

Lunch with our First Grader at school!

Grandma Gail came to visit in September!

Birthday fun!

School picture! First time not showing teeth!

At yet another soccer game! You and Daman (Gabi's brother) figure out how to pass the time together!

Look at the strength in your legs! My goodness!

Oh Evan, you have so much going on in your life right now. Up next, you have your more intense training/scrimmages in hockey and you're going to continue with your climbing club! You also have your first international trip coming up (not to mention the fact that in a matter of days you'll be SEVEN!) 

You're growing up so fast but I do still get to kiss your head from time to time. I also still say goodnight by asking you about your favorite part of the day and who you helped that day.

My heart overflows for you - I just adore you, my son.

All my Love,

Mom