Summer 2021 is HERE!

Dear Maya and Emi, 

Happy summer! As I write this, you're at your last day of school for the year. Whew! We made it through another 'unprecedented' year. (Can we stop using that word now?) Again, it's been about 2 months since I've posted, but here's a little bit of what we've been up to.

• Papa Stan and Gracie's birthday party: This was the first time our family was all together at the same time in a year and a half and it was GLORIOUS! You guys of course had fun playing with your cousins and eating cake and all of us adults just got in as many hugs as possible.

• More mommy-daughter dates: Emi, you and I went to the park and to get manicures. Maya, you and I went out for dinner and to Five Below, but you're not so much a fan of having your picture taken these days so there's no photographic evidence of that. 

• Family hikes: Now that Baba is home all the time, we can head out to hike at a moment's notice. And it is wonderful!

• New room, who dis: We bought new Japanese-construction style beds for you guys and rearranged your room quite a bit. Now your bookcase is much more accessible (it's been filled to the brim since this photo) and you've been reading even more! Now let's just hope we can keep the room clean...

• Aunt Bobbie and Kelsie's birthday: I think every family birthday will now be an excuse to get everyone together for cousin fun, lots of hugs, and cake. And I'm here for it!

• The end of 1st and 4th grades: You guys are going to miss Mrs. Nelson, Ms. Akerman, and your friends this summer. But you learned so much this year, virtually and in person, and made the best of it. Maya, your love of science and reading is awesome, and Emi, your vocabulary surprises me daily. And most of all, the two of you have become even closer. I found that you actually fought so much LESS when you were home together all those months and have been fighting MORE since you went back to school in person. But between the fighting you're still each others' best friends. Yay!

Also, I'm editing this post to add that your beloved principal (and mommy's Social Studies teacher and principal for her last year of high school!) Mr. Gulisane retired today. There was a livestreamed sendoff parade and emotional ceremony for him, and then as we were driving you home from school they had him on a platform to wave to us. What an amazing tribute to a very dedicated and inspirational man!

Well, here's to a really fun summer! Love you both!