And There Goes The First Part of 2025!

My Dearest Evan,

SO SO much has happened since I last wrote to you! We had a wonderful Christmas and you got a new bike! And then your birthday came - you quickly opened your presents and we whisked off to the airport for our trip to Calgary and Banff! You had a blast in your snowboarding lessons and I think you liked ice skating on Lake Louise the best! It was truly magical and you said it was your best birthday ever! Then we came back home for a dose a reality, along with more hockey and rock climbing club. You've grown so much in both lately that it just amazes me. You score every time you scrimmage in hockey, you've tried being a goalie and in rock climbing you're conquering all the pink levels and scaring me with your skills way high up on the walls. 

School is another story right now - you're not doing so well. Your teachers have started taking a different approach, which is way more hands-off than you're used to. I think they are trying to get you ready for more independent learning in 2nd grade but it's not a good transition for you. We're working on it with extra practice at home and doing some COVID-era Mrs. Cawley videos (Mrs. Cawley is THE BEST and way more helpful than what you're getting in class, unfortunately). Even with some struggles, I'm so proud that you got the kindness award at the school assembly. This makes me so proud because I've been asking you two questions when putting you to bed: 1. what was your favorite part of the day? and 2. who did you help today? I think that second question has really gone a long way for you in being considerate of others' needs!

Finally, just a couple of weeks ago we got back from our spring break Disney Cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada. You got to swim and eat your heart out, you learned to sail, and you got to dress up as Captain Mickey! You really enjoyed that trip!

In home life, you're watching Family Matters (from Dad's and my childhood) and going around saying "did I do that?" like Erkel! You just started free-reading on your own, which I credit your sister for. Her reading to you all the time is starting to pay off, thank goodness! You like to cuddle with me in the mornings and Dad in the evenings and Dad has been teaching you that saying "I love you" to others is a good thing. You've ridden your bike on my runs a little bit. You had a hard fall on your roller blades that caused some road rash to your face and a lot of bleeding but you're fine now. We do roller blades with a hockey helmet on now!

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

Guess where?!

Getting fitted for your snowboard!

Gondola ride was LOOOOONG!

Hockey on the ice over Lake Louise - oh you loved it! You still talk about it!

You were skating circles around Avery and me

Hiking!

Dog sledding! You rode with Dad!

On the way to dog sledding!

Chateau at Lake Louise was fancy!

Fancy fondue dinner in Banff!

Flames game in Calgary for New Years!

Who doesn't get ice cream in the winter in Banff?!

At the top of Sulphur Mountain!

My little Captain Mickey! This was the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the cruise - you enjoyed getting little Mickey Mouse confetti in your hair!

New bikes!

Paying in CAD!

Private lessons with Avery!

Yummy restaurant in Calgary before we headed out to Banff!

Birthday boy!

You've gotten so good so fast!

You brought Flat Stanley from your class to Banff!

Met up with one of my old friends and her family in Calgary!

In Phoenix, ready to go!

Thanks, Aunt Cara!

Still climbing!

Thanks, Grandma Dotty and Pop!

Santa came!

Always a good trooper at Avery's games!

Getting the Kindness award for Trimester 2!

Helmet on! For safe roller blading!

Went to the USWNT game in Phoenix over Rodeo Break!

Pirate night on the cruise! They gave us all pirate bandanas!

Oh my heart!

In the kids club, drawing Disney characters!

Ensenada was wet!

Conga line at Tiana's on the cruise!

Learning to sail - our excursion in Catalina island!

Bluewater restaurant in Catalina - best fish tacos I've ever tasted!

Live theater on the cruise! This is where you said "Mom, magic is real!" because of Tinker Bell's light shining all throughout the theater!

All aboard!

You and Damon (Gabi's brother) at another soccer game - you two know how to entertain each other!

And yes, it's March, but it's warm enough here to start swimming again!

My favorite picture from the cruise!

Bike and run! You know how to keep me on my toes!

Go #6!!!

Saying good bye to Canada!

Lessons from Mrs Cawley!

Dog sledding break!

You and Dad shared a sled! You even drove it for a bit!

                                       

Cowboy day at school!

Tag along with some of the team to the USWNT - always one of the team's little brothers!

You got the lower bunk bed on the cruise!

Such a good helper - you started helping set up your sister's jumps at horseback riding!

Reading on your own!

Trying to give Hook your wallet!! He was asking for your money! Haha!

Getting ready to go on!

Shirley Temples at the lounge on the cruise

Steering the sail boat all by yourself! You did great!

Playing a lot with the 3D printer lately - got a new one for Christmas!

And here are the professional pics we got on the cruise:

Well, my son, you're almost done with first grade! Next year, you'll be the only Stein at your school! No big sister to help you - but you're totally ready for it! You're a good kid with a lot going on right now! We've got some trips and camps to look forward to over the summer - can't wait!

All my Love,

Mom