DEAR DAUGHTER MAY 19, 2020

Hey bunny. Well, we did it. We finished 3rd grade homeschool during the coronavirus pandemic in the year 2020. I know. It was a lot. Like a lot a lot. Even just this Monday I yelled at you for not applying yourself the way you should’ve because the year in review is a pain in the butt and clearly even I need a year in review in 3rd grade Math. It’s been tough. And obviously not easy at moments. But here’s what I want you to know today.

This time together, you and me, it’s been a time. You probably don’t really know what that means so I’ll explain it a little better. It just means, this time has meant a lot to me. Although it’s been extremely hard and ironically sometimes super fun, it’s been a transitional (changing) time for both of us. 

I think what’s cool, is how far we have come.

Back in March when schools shut down all across the country and the entire world, we entered a new life. One where we forced to stay home and not spread this virus.

One where we moved your desk downstairs and did homeschool. A kind of schooling mama has never done before. And neither had you. 

But we figured it out and sought out what would work for us in this new learning environment.

We let brothers play a lot of games on their iPads.

We sat by the window of “mimi’s room” and watched the birds find worms for their little babies while we read our books.

We learned about a young girl named Malala who fought for girls rights in her homeland of Pakistan.

We also learned about the amazing poet and writer Maya Angelou and her not so good upbringing. We learned about how she channeled reading and writing to create a new life for herself. 

We learned together that quadrilaterals have four sides. 

We also learned that a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not always a square.

We learned that Grandpa was always ready and willing to pick up our FaceTime call at 7:30 California time and help us out with those rectangles. 

We learned so much I could go on and on and on.

But I want to tell you this.

I learned that you are smart and wise.

That you are vibrant and capable.

That you love to learn specific subjects and you dislike learning specificities of other subjects.

I learned your way of learning is your way and not all students are alike.

I learned what brings you joy in learning and what challenges you most.

I learned that watching you learn and seeing your eyes flutter and your smile light up meant that you understood your work entirely and you were so proud of yourself.

I learned that I love you 10 million times more than I thought I did.

I learned that somehow God made you a 3rd grader who has bloomed into an almost 9 year old.

I learned that you can scramble eggs and make your own breakfast these days.

I learned that my whole world began when you were born and you’ve taught me so much I can’t even breathe. I’m so grateful baby girl.

One day I hope you’ll look back on this time and not remember that I was your homeschool teacher, but that all the time we had together, was a beautiful world of awesome. 

It was special. 

All of it. 

The tiktok dancing.

The arguments about tiktok dancing.

The hearing the baby birds sing.

The moments I lost it and you helped me recover.

The time you saw your classmates emails and you cried.

And I held you tight.

This morning we drove away from your school and we waved goodbye to the crew. And we cried a whole new song.

Bunny, I know it’s been a crazy time. But I hope you know mama will always treasure every waking second we had during this homeschool frenzy in 2020.

Here’s to us. 

Here’s to summer.

Here’s to digging into cool summer reading with books YOU like.

Here’s to swimming all day every day.

Here’s to popsicles. 

Here’s to eventually going to get pedicures with you again one day.

Here’s to me loving you forever and ever and ever AMEN.

I love you KB.

Here’s to 4th grade next year bunny!!!

Love, Mom