An Ollie Tale
Where to begin? Ah, yes. Concerning Ollie. . .
Ollie's are happy, jolly and love to eat. You prefer to be comfortable and cozy, rather than run off and have adventures. Most times.
Thus making you a hobbit of sorts. . .
You have had one rockstar of a year, kiddo. First year of Middle School is in the books! You are now a 7th grader, baby! This year you were MISTER MIDDLE SCHOOL - You got all the awards - 4.0 ALL YEAR, choir student of the year and more. You were everywhere. Choir, drama, honor society, out with friends, swim parties, birthday parties, retirement parties. It is amazing to see you figure out what brings you joy.
You DO still love your alone time. Video games ("I am at the end of my game, do not come in."), making movies, writing novels, playing with toys you have room to do so after cleaning your room, recording the entire Alexander Hamilton song with your pandas, playing piano, just bonking stuff.
You were selected Choir Student of the Year for the 6th grade. INCREDIBLE. Mr. Gordon said that you are missed when you're not there. I am so proud of you, Bean. You had a solo at each concert. You were so confident and amazing. Your voice, your ear, your ability to remember it all - chef's kiss.
You were in the Seussification of Romeo and Juliet and did SO MANY shows and had so many rehearsals! It was INCREDIBLE. We LOVED going to see your performances and what an impressive cast.
You did math camp with Mr. Holmquist over the summer and went to his retirement party. He waited for you all to be his student before he decided it was time to retire. I'm so glad you and Felix and dad got to be his students. That is such a special thing.
We did some fun traveling. We went to Lompoc and we loved it just like always. Swimming and Floriano's, BABY. UGH you always love the pool so much. And I just love how the house feels like home instantly. You've gotten to be a really great swimmer. I should probably get the OTHER color of Santa Barbara sweatshirt next time, huh?
We went back to Seabrook for the first time in a LONG time. And we brought our bikes! You and Felix biked to town and we went to the ocean and went to secret beach and had pizza and ice cream and you made a huge fort in the downstairs with the couch cushions.
There were some hard things you tackled this year, too. I think it's important to remember how strong and brave and smart and kind you are even in and especially in hard times. You had friends go thru some stuff and you supported them while still using your resources to care of yourself. You were so clear with your words that you wanted to go back to therapy and we found you a good one who has given you tools and your whole vibe has shifted for the better and happier.
You've been quite the little baker and chef this year, too. You are EXCELLENT at making eggs and have made them for all of us. Even for the ramen, you're great at it. AND you made the most amazing panda cake EVER. Just wow, it looked amazing and tasted great.
It's been an incredible year, I'd do it all over in a heartbeat, there and back again, for sure. Thanks for choosing me to be your mom.
All my love,
Your mama
