Happy 12th, Miss Maya!

 Dear Maya, 

Ahhhhh, how are you 12!?!? Why does that seem like such a huge number? The last few weeks I feel like you've grown a few inches taller and I'm not ready. But you're so full of love and curiosity and random facts...just the perfect combination for this age!

For the first time in a few years we actually got to have an in-person family party for you! We're still planning your friend party for your half-birthday because it's so easy to spread germs this time of year, but a lot of our family was able to get together for a little pizza and cupcakes and celebration. You chose a plant theme and I couldn't have loved it more! 

cupcakes by Cakes by Ashlee!

Some photos of you from the last year:

December 2021

January 2022

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

And here are your answers to the interview I do every year!

Favorite toy: Silverscales the dragon
Favorite game: Animal Crossing
Favorite thing to do inside: Nintendo
Favorite thing to do outside: fort-building
Favorite place to go: home
Favorite book: Wings of Fire and Warriors series still
Favorite TV show: Gudetama
Favorite movie: Totoro
Favorite song: Blue Skies (Ella Fitzgerald--a current chorus song)
Favorite animal: dragons and cats!
Favorite breakfast: egg sandwich
Favorite lunch: Baba's pizza    
Favorite dinner: dumplings
Favorite fruit: apple
Favorite vegetable: snap peas
Favorite drink: Sprite
Best friend: Juliette, Evelyn, Hudson, Megan, Elio, Adyson, Gabby, Emerson, Sophia, Kameryn, Emma, Emma, Sophia
Biggest fear: losing everything
When you grow up you want to be: a famous gamer and botanist
Things you take to bed: Silverscales

Okay, time for mommy to get some rest. I love you so much, my sweet big 12 year old! 

Our holiday season 2022

Dear Maya and Emi, 

Happy Holidays! This post is almost exclusively holiday-related because it starts off where Halloween left off and takes us right through Christmas...and we're still not done celebrating yet! Here's what we've been up to:

• Your cousin William's 8th birthday:

• Thanksgiving, and the only photos I remembered to take were of you, Emi, my little fashionista, because you were so excited that I let you put on makeup and heeled boots for the event. We soon came to regret one of those decisions as you developed an allergic reaction to the glitter!

• Buying our Christmas tree at the nursery with the animals:

• Decorating the tree and taking various photos with it:

• We went to see Santa for the first time since 2019! He was in a different spot than usual so we had to wait outside in frigid temperatures to see him, but mommy was so thankful that you were both willing!

• We've had some snow and some really cold weather, which you were both excited for!

• Christmas morning! Santa left both of you sleds, craft supplies, books, and lots of cozy new items for your bedrooms including fuzzy rugs, comforters, cushions and adorable pillows. He also left Emi some new makeup and legos and Maya a new plant and some fun shirts. Mommy and Baba gave you some Nintendo game credit, too! 

• Mommy managed to grab a few selfies of all of us before we headed out the door:

• We went to Nanny's house for Christmas and Lebo, Aunt Sue Sue, Grandma and Papa Stan were there, too. We all exchanged gifts and hugs and had some breakfast. 

• After that we went to Grandma and Papa Stan's house where the whole family gathered, but mommy completely forgot to take any photos. It was a fun time full of belly laughs, good food, generous gifts, lots of love and lots of memories. Just no photos! 
  
  
• Instead I'll sign off with photos of your beds with all your new stuff and stuffies:

 

Love you both!