Dear Nora,
This week wraps up the 3rd week of 1st grade and you have already missed some school due to a fever and ear infection. :( Otherwise, you are loving school and thrilled to be in Mrs. Linebaugh's class! You have a few friends from your kindergarten class, and have started to talk about making new ones. I ran into your teacher at school the other day and she said, "Nora is such a doll. She is God's gift to a teacher." We are so proud of you! When I took you to school for the afternoon on Tuesday, after you'd been sick over the weekend, you cried and told me you didn't want to go because you missed me. I miss you, too, especially after the special times we had together all summer!
When asked about the highlight of your summer, you often say it was your birthday at Honey and Grandpa's house. Other fun memories include riding in your first limo for a birthday party, getting girl time at Ms. Devyn's house, operating machinery at Dig World, lots of jumping at Altitude and going to see summer movies. You also talk about how much you loved our Surfside Beach day and riding bigger slides than you're used to at Splashway Waterpark. It was so exciting to see you grow in your confidence and swimming abilities through participation in swim team this summer. At home, you and Luke played lots of "loft ball" in the game room and you made lots of rubber band bracelets, after being introduced to them by the other girls at swim meets. You two would write out a plan, choosing one activity you wanted to do, something Luke chose, then something you both wanted to do. It was a good rhythm when it worked out well!
At the end of June you were baptized by Daddy and me. Honey and Grandpa and Nana and Papa were there, along with some good friends, Peyton and Avery, and Graham and Brenlynn. After church we came home for pizza, caesar salad, and chocolate cake and ice cream. It's the first "gluten free" meal I'd hosted like that and I was happy with how it worked out. Speaking of gluten free, we learned in June that Daddy has it, too. When he told you, you looked at him stunned and said, "you have an allergy??" When he said yes, you joyfully cheered, "yay!" and gave him the biggest hug. It was so sweet! Now we know Luke has it as well, so I'm the odd one out without the gluten allergy, instead of you being the only one with an allergy. :)
You've started softball this fall and are doing really well with it already! It's so cute to see you in your hot pink gear and you are having a lot of fun playing a sport. Luke was cheering you on quite a bit at practice this week and you know it's special that we are all there for you, when you've been the little sister at Luke's events so many times. We love you and are excited to watch you continue to grow this schoolyear!
Love,
Mommy
