You have had a busy 6 months.
Whenever I write these I always look at the pictures to remind me of what we did – and it’s usually pretty crazy just how much we fit in. These last 6 months have been exceptionally busy.
School
This is always a busy 6 months when it comes to school. You completed 4th grade and began your 5th grade year. After every year you ask (beg) to go back to the grade you were in versus being excited for the next one. Of course this fades quickly once you begin your new grade.
In 4th you had Mrs. Schneider, and you also happen to be best friends with her daughter, Cora. You and Cora and hilariously nerdy together. I remember growing up and having those moments when you would run into your teacher at the grocery store or something, and seeing them outside of school was the weirdest thing possible. You on the other hand go to your teacher’s house.
You ended 4th grade with stellar grades (as always). You have really generated an affinity for reading. You read all the time. I will wake up in the morning on weekends (and sometimes weekdays) and find you in your chair in your room already awake and reading a book. Cora and Avery (your other bestie) also read a great deal, and you guys make it into a competition.
So far you are loving 5th grade with Mrs. Zito. We call her “tight ship Zito” as she keep you guys in line. You had her for 2nd grade as well, and was very excited when you got her again for 5th. You are thriving in english, reading, social studies and of course art. You do struggle with math and science a bit – not that you can’t get it, you just don’t like it and get easily frustrated. Your goal is still to be an artist when you grow up.
I always like to capture the moment in these in case it changes, but I would summarize you this way when it comes to school at this current time: diligent, competitive, hard working and love to learn.
Camping
While you were opposed to purchasing the Airstream at the outset because you claimed to love tent camping…there is no one in this family that loves it more than you at this point. 🙂 We got it out 5 or 6 times this summer, and they were the best trips we took.
Most of the time we head just north of Ketchum. We bring your bikes, games, go on hikes, and go fishing (you caught a great fish as you can see in the pictures below). Lately your favorite thing to do is take Layla for walks. She is a monster at the camp site until she calms down, and you love being the one to calm her down and wear her out a little.
A lot of times we will do little day trips as well. You can see below when we are on Slater and Gina’s boat. We also floated a natural lady river on paddle boards with a bunch of other families and friends. Many times you also just want to hang at the campsite and draw or do other art projects. You bug us to go as much as possible, and has really made the investment make sense.
Trips
We made it to Palm Springs for spring break to see Tita and a ton of swimming. You guys basically lived in the pool. Tita isn’t doing so well so we also spent some time with her at her home.
We also went to a place called Diamond D Ranch with Papa and Damian. It was a very cool ranch in the middle of nowhere. It was along the river and hidden back in the mountains. Only about 15 people can stay there at a time. As you can see below, the highlight for you was when you got to ride horses. We went on a trail ride into the hills. You and Ethan rode solo, and did a fantastic job. Unfortunately there was a wildfire nearby and the smoke got really bad. Your mom had a panic attach at 3am and then we had to leave the next morning.
Probably the coolest trip was when we stayed in the yurt. Up at Galena you can rent a yurt for the night – no electricity and you stay on bunk beds. The yurt itself it pretty basic. It has a table in the middle, a kitchen with a couple burners and a sink (but no running water), an outhouse outside and a really cool wood burning furnace. The other part is that you have to snowshoe to the yurt. Mia had the idea and organized it. There were a number of yurts to choose from so she asked us, and I just mentioned one specific one not to choose because it was a 1.5 mile hike in and that’s a lot for you guys. Well, you know Mia, and that sometimes she gets things a little wrong, and so instead of avoiding that one she chose it. You guys hiked 1.5 miles in snowshoes (which you had never worn) to the yurt. You were a trooper and hiked the whole time without complaining (can’t say the same for your brother). Now it is still Sun Valley and fancy, so we didn’t have to carry all our stuff, but rather the lodge snowmobiled it in for us (as well as a prepared dinner that we just needed to heat up) and it was waiting for us when we arrived. We all just hung out, played games, played in the snow and had a very cool experience. Was one of my favorite trips I have been on. The next morning we hiked out. You and I took the lead and made it back to the lodge well before everyone else (mainly because your brother was whining the whole time).
Going on trips with you guys, especially the outdoorsy local ones, is one of our favorite things to do as a family. Very luck to live where we live and have the flexibility we have.
Sports
You continue to take on like every activity out there. Ballet, jazz, soccer, swimming, piano, and probably some others I am forgetting. You are open to pretty much anything we offer which is one of my favorite traits about you. I know you are not comfortable with it as you are still a reserved individual, but you are always up to challenge yourself and go outside your comfort zone. I admire it greatly.
The highlight this summer though was when you took 3rd place in the breast stroke at city! There were 50 swimmers you went up against and you took 3rd – we were so proud of you. You have been swimming 5 days a week all summer. Your commitment has been unwavering, and totally paid off.
You have also improved dramatically in dance, both jazz and ballet. Honestly, you have been pretty awkward and flailing dancing up to this point – but it appears you are finding your groove so to speak. 🙂
The rest
Everything is busier nowadays. With all the activities, work, school and generally just life – things are crazy. But crazy in a great way.
I always like to mention it because I don’t know how long it will last, but your best friend in the world is your brother. You guys play all day together, and you love each other so much. Of course you have your disagreements and fights – but you are quick to move on. I could not be happier with how close the two of you are.
You are still the sweetest, kindest, funniest, and overall greatest daughter I could ask for. You are also such a happy kid which is really what matters to me most. You and I are still really close as well. I hope that continues, but also am realistic that as you age staying this close will be tough. I will give it all I got though because I can’t imagine us not being this way.
I can’t wait to write you again when you turn 11 in 6 months. Please stay who you are because you are perfect.
I love you more than anything in the world
Love, Dad
