Happy Holiday Season 2021

Dear Maya and Emi,

Whew! How are the 2021 holidays over already?!? Looking back mommy didn't take quite as many photos as usual (especially ones with a real camera) but it's probably because I was too busy taking it all in (and let's be honest--trying to create magic!) Here are the highlights of our last couple months:

• Thanksgiving Day we went to Nanny's in the morning, and Grandma's in the afternoon

• We cut down and decorated our tree.

• We went to a light parade with Uncle Matt and Aunt Rhi and we felt the holiday 'spirit'!

• Spirit week at school had you making ugly sweaters and dressing as Whoville characters.

• There was a lot of crafting and card-making for friends and teachers.

• There was a lot of music-making, too, including 12 days of caroling videos posted online!

• We waited for Santa to come and hoped he delivered a fraction of these lists!

• And then it was Christmas Day!

We're so thankful for a beautiful holiday season with you two! And looking forward to celebrating someone's 11th birthday in just a few days! Eek!

Love you both!

Dragons and Unicorns Forever!

Dear Maya and Emi, 

Mommy is sitting here typing this after a fun day to end a very busy month! I'm so glad to have spent all of Halloween with you two after being completely tied up in my photography business for weeks. Even though it rained on our trick-or-treating trip, it was such a great time just being together!

But to backtrack a little, here's what we've been up to the past almost 2 months...

Apple picking with the extended family in September!

School work is a little trickier this year but that isn't getting in the way of either of you! Maya, you're still reading up a storm (these 2 huge books in one week!) and started learning drums and xylophone. Emi, you're spending tons of time drawing and still going strong on the ukulele.

We've had more family gatherings in October. We had a S'mores party at grandma's house one night, and although you two didn't attend, Mommy went to Uncle Matt's 40th birthday Dungeons & Dragons game night! I took the two of you to see him a few days later, though!

Leading up to Halloween we had a few fun activities. Baba helped you carve pumpkins (Mommy was working) and of course, they were a dragon and a unicorn. You also both were in the school Halloween parade but Maya, you got to play drums with your friends and your teacher. We were so impressed with how well you were keeping the rhythm after only playing for a couple of months. Not to mention that you did it while wearing a dragon costume!

And, finally, today was Halloween. You two had planned for months to be a dragon and unicorn, and so you decided that Mommy must be a princess and Baba must be a knight. We got dressed up, set up a tripod to take some cell phone photos (that was hysterical!), then visited Grandma and Papa Stan, Uncle Matt and Aunt Rhi, and Aunt Kelsie. Then after getting caught in a rainstorm we doubled back to a different town to do a little trick-or-treating. It was fun and we are tired!

Okay, time for Mommy to get some sleep before another busy week. 

Love you both!