Well we didn’t go back to school in November as previously hoped… My family and I ended up doing another workcation in November in a different city before returning to “normal” in Chicago for December. We hosted Christmas at our house with my grandma and grandpa that drove up from Memphis. It was the first time we’ve hosted in years, so we had a lot of fun decorating the house and my parents say they went a bit overkill on presents, but I don’t think so! The latest school update is that we’re supposed to go back in-person for two days a week in February. I’m not getting my hopes up this time though!

Happy 2021 friends!

Lydia

I really enjoyed seeing and playing with other kids in small groups over the summer, and I’m now about a month into 3rd grade! Initially we were supposed to go back a couple days a week, but the schools ultimately decided to go fully remote for at least the first couple months. I’ve become a computer whiz on my new fancy Chromebook and I often help my sister on hers. We’re currently on what my dad calls a “workcation” to get a change of scenery while not missing any work or school. We’ll be heading home soon and fingers crossed be back in school in November. It’s not looking good right now, but we’ll see!

See you later friends!
Lydia

Well everything didn’t snap back to normal in a month as I previously hoped. School ended up switching to remote learning which was challenging at times but did give me a little more structure to the day. I’m now officially done with 2nd grade and things have started to open up a little bit. I’m currently in Memphis visiting my grandparents this week. The rest of the summer is mostly virtual camps with a a few in-person weeks in small groups. I’m looking forward to this new normal. No official announcement on what will happen in the Fall when I start 3rd grade, but I’m enjoying the extra family time while I can!

Update from my last post — I did get a skateboard for xmas! We celebrated in Memphis, so I got to learn the ropes in the nicer weather there. Back in Chicago, I haven’t had as much time to learn, but with Spring around the corner and suddenly a ton of family time, I’ll be an expert in no time. While school is closed, I’ve been learning a lot at home with worksheets and reading, and the occasional educational video. Best of all, I love spending time with my family! I hear that school is closed for about another month, so hopefully everything is back to normal the next time you hear from me!

Take care my friends,

Lydia

So last summer, I really wanted roller blades, roller skates, or a skateboard, but my dad said I couldn’t have any of those until I learned to ride my bike on my own. In just a few short days of practicing every day, I finally did it and now I can fly around on my bike with no help at all. I’ve been dropping lots of hints that I’m ready for my skateboard now and I hope that my parents or Santa get me one. Fingers crossed!

Wow, another two years has flown by. One day soon, my parents will give me the password to my account so I don’t have to go through them anymore! Everything is going well with me. I just started 2nd grade last week. I’m still at the same school, but I might switch next year depending on if my little sister can get into my current school. My favorite class is math and my favorite lovey is a platypus named Platty that I got in Australia. I’m going to keep this short and sweet in hopes that I’ll actually post more often. Take care dearest readers!

Hello everyone!

It’s been almost two years since my last post.  Apologies for the delay — it’s been crazy around here these days.  My little sister is now almost two and a half years old.  I’ve been such a great big sister to her.  I show her the ropes on everything and I am even teaching her manners.

I’m writing today because I’m very excited about a recent development.  I am all registered for kindergarten in the Fall!  After an afternoon of testing, and applying to a myriad of honors, magnet, and neighborhood schools, my parents had narrowed it down to two primary schools.  They toured a highly-rated magnet school but decided it was too loud, overly strict, and a little too focused on technology.  Next, they toured our local neighborhood school and it was refreshingly different and just felt right for me.

I was secretly hoping my neighborhood school would be selected because it’s so close we can walk there and I’ve already played on its playgrounds many times.  I’m counting down the days until I can begin.  I even told my parents today that they should try to get me in sooner because I’m getting too big for my nap-time cot at preschool.  Man, I’m going to miss nap time.  Besides that, I’m looking forward to everything else!

That’s all for now!  See you all again soon my friends.

Lydia

Hello dear readers.

It seems that I have some competition around here these days.  I got a new little sister named Edie about six months ago!

It took some trial and error but I’m shaping up to be a great big sister, if I may pat myself on the back a bit.  I help feed her, change her, give her blankets, and I really enjoy making her laugh.

In solidarity with my little sister I have stopped doing some things I used to do all by myself, such as getting dressed, sleeping through the night, and getting in the car.  I figure if she can’t do it who I am I to show off?

Besides that, it’s been a pretty smooth transition.  We are a happy family of four and I’ve shown Edie all my neighborhood haunts.  We also recently went to Toronto and while Canada is old news to me, it was still a great time exploring a new city.

Looking forward to more adventures with the fam!

Lydia

Dearest readers,

I hope you all had a great holiday season these past couple weeks.

I am not sure if I’ve spoken of it before now, but I have a little baby brother or sister arriving soon!  I couldn’t be more excited to meet him or her and help Mommy and Daddy take care of them.  I give my mom’s belly hugs and kisses which I’m told is super cute.  I am trying to help with its name too, but my responses of all names, zero names, or “Little Baby” don’t seem to be narrowing down the list.  At this point, I think my parents are going to wait to see the baby before making a final decision.

In preparation for the new baby, I’ve also become a lot more independent lately.  I now get ready for bed all by myself, from pull-up, to pajamas, to brushing teeth, I do it all!  I can mostly get ready in the mornings but sometimes the motivation just isn’t there.  Today I shocked my parents, and honestly myself, by getting my own applesauce out of the fridge.  My foolish parents thought I’d get to the fridge and ask for help as I’ve always done before.  I opened the doors, pulled up my learning tower, opened the drawer for my applesauce, moved the learning tower back, and closed the doors without an adult in sight!

Also in breaking news, I just found out that Uncle Bob and Aunt Marisa had their baby today!  I can’t wait to meet him and show him a couple things…

Until next time,

Lydia

So a little background first.  A few months ago, my Mom and Dad foolishly decided to try potty training me.  I couldn’t articulate that I wasn’t ready so I showed them by having 10 accidents in a row.  Needless to say they decided to put things on hold a little bit.  There were two other failed weekend attempts since then too.

Well a couple weeks ago, my parents heard about a magical travel potty that kids seem to love.  A few days later we were at the store and came across them.  I picked out the color I wanted and went to bed without thinking about it further.

The next morning though something clicked.  I woke up, demanded the potty be opened, and immediately used it.  I then proceeded to use it all day without any accidents!  I graduated to wearing big girl underwear that day and ever since.  It’s been over two weeks including a trip to Maine where my parents were extra worried but I passed with flying colors!

Now that I’m such a big girl, I decided to finally try riding the bicycle I got for my last birthday and haven’t paid any attention to since then, even though I walk past it several times a day.  I went up and down my block a handful of times on day one and have taken it out as much as possible since.  It’s so much fun!  I am not good at balancing on my own yet, but I’ll get there soon…

Until next time dearest readers.

Lydia