Dear Sydney

Dear Sydney,

We "homeschooled" you with the online programs the school set up on your Chromebook for the last few months of school this year. Covid-19 sent us all into quarantine. And you have just wanted to play around. Getting you to do your school work at all has been a challenge, but then I realized I was just setting up all the programs and leaving you to do the rest and that caused you to not do to well. I learnt that I needed to sit with you that way if you had any questions or I saw that you weren't understanding what was need to accomplish the assignment or the material I could help you. So I was grateful for that time and lesson even if it seemed like such a challenge in the moment. 

You have grown so quickly. I can't believe you are 9 years old! 

You are so independent. Showering on a regular basis now, although I still have to check afterwards to make sure you washed all the shampoo off the very top of your head. 

You are kind when you want to be. But you and your siblings get into a decent amount of fights and arguments. And I'm not sure if it is your ages, the fact that you're siblings, or the fact that since quarantine hit you have had no one but each other to play with. In fact it wasn't until June that the kids in the neighborhood started to come out and parents willing to let the kids play with each other again. 

You have started making your own PB&J most days when you are hungry. It's gotten to the point where I've told you that if you are hungry then you are responsible for getting yourself food to eat. Now obviously that doesn't mean for lunch or dinner ( I usually make those and for the whole family), but breakfast time is a lazy time for me (as your parent) so other than getting cereal or the days I feel like cooking something big I always tell you to take care of getting yourself breakfast. There is toast (cinnamon toast as well), yogurt, cereal, sandwich, or oatmeal that you know how to make. Now that you are 9 I am going to teach you other things that you could make on the stove top-but only if I am up and able to supervise. 

You are really quite creative. There are so many things that you and Lizzy and William start making or playing. I love seeing your creativity. Daddy built a sandbox for you guys this summer and it has been so fun watching you play in it and be creative in new ways. But you have also really enjoyed Legos and playing play-dough especially with all the toys that I have. Your creations always amaze me.

I am so proud of who you are becoming. 

Love always,

Mom.