Dear James,
Today you turned 6 years old, and I'd say you had a pretty great day despite the entire world going crazy over Election Day.
What a year it has been! While every year has highs and lows, this one has felt like a mess, and I hate that this had to be a part of your childhood. Hopefully one day you will look back and remember more good than bad.
Your year as a 5 year old started off pretty normal. In fact, I can't even think of anything too notable from the beginning. Then Covid-19 showed up, and life as we knew it was turned upside-down. At first it was just something a lot of us grown ups joked around about. In fact, your own mom said it was just ridiculous to stock up on toilet paper, because why would we need to do that!? Then we almost ran out of it and by then the world had gone mad and there was none to be found! So, someday when you have kids, be sure to tell them how rough you almost had it back in 2020 when you survived the Great Toilet Paper Shortage.
Friday, March 13th was your very last day of preschool (sort of). The state was to shut down for 2 weeks and we were placed under a "stay at home order". It was fun at first because we had an early spring break. 2 weeks passed and they decided schools wouldn't start back until the end of April. The end of April came, and they decided we'd just wait and go back to school in August.
It was rough. You and Daniel stayed home. We couldn't have church so we watched it on Facebook in our pajamas. It was fun at first, but the novelty wore off quickly. Anytime I would go somewhere, you wanted to come with, but I had to leave you at home.
We didn't get to go to Iowa for actual Spring Break. We didn't get to meet your cousin Katie either. Thankfully the weather started getting nicer and we were able to play outside a lot. You, Daniel and the neighbor boy played Nerf Wars every day. We went on scooter rides, and went on picnics...even though the playgrounds were closed too.
In May we decided to "make a run for the border" and went to Iowa to see Mimi and Pa. It was so refreshing to get away and see family we hadn't seen since January. You had a blast doing rockets and stomp rockets at Lowe Park.
In June you and your fellow preschooler's finally got to graduate. We held a drive in ceremony outside at the church. It wasn't ideal, but it was one for the books.
June brought even more big changes to your life. I moved into my new house and you and Daniel started going between Mom and Dad's houses. You really took it like a champ. You have embraced all of these changes better than I could have ever hoped and I am so proud of you. I know you love seeing both me and your dad. We both love you and your brother so much.
This was the first year that you got to stay in Iowa without me. You and Daniel stayed a few days and then Mimi brought you back home. I think you had a lot of fun.
You were SO excited to start kindergarten this year and go to school! Unfortunately, school didn't return in person. We've done all of your learning online so far, and you come to preschool with me every day too. I think you're officially the "DMCC Preschool Mascot". I can't say it's been easy. You and I have butted heads, and we've both shed tears over school work, but we've made it work. You might even get to start going to school a couple of mornings a week starting next week. Fingers crossed!
You bring laughter to my days. You also drive me completely insane! The funny thing is, videos have popped up in my memories from years past and you have had the same personality almost from day one! You know you're funny and use that to your advantage. You have an infectious laugh (and also this weird fake laugh). You like to crack jokes and even know how to use sarcasm at times. You also have quite the temper when you don't get your way. You will blame anyone or anything as long as it isn't "your fault". Hopefully you'll outgrow that.
You love playing outside, swinging at the park, Hershey bars, Happy Baked Goods, watching silly YouTube videos, reading, and of course foxes. You also like trains, car rides and singing funny songs.
You are still the world's pickiest eater. You give me gray hairs over all the battles we have with food. Maybe one day you'll discover a world outside of goldfish crackers and yogurt.
I am thankful for another year spent with you. I think we've managed to make some fun and lasting memories of 2020. Just remember that we've made it this far because God has been with us through everything.
I love you my little "Schnook-um-doo". I hope 6 turns out to be a ton of fun.
Love always,
Mom
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