My parents are still too tired and busy (it seems like adults are always tired) to pitch in to help with the Christmas card.  Noah, Amelia, and Josiah decided they can’t help because it would intrude on their Nintendo Switch, artwork and cartography time. It’s up to me (again) to provide a whimsical and semi-accurate summary (of shenanigans) of our year.

I’m going to turn five soon.

“I can’t believe my baby is almost five!” my parents have said this with tears in their eyes many times.

I learned so much over the past year so get ready for some serious life lessons. I’ll also get a summary of what’s new for the rest of my family.

We will go in age order. I hear that phrase all the time— especially when it comes to opening presents.

Mommy

My mommy started the year teaching between two buildings. I still don’t know their names because I’m a toddler and get easily distracted *rides off on a balance bike around the kitchen*.

Mommy is the awesomest and I love her very much. She helps me continue to receive speech and OT therapies. And she lets me eat off her dinner plate!

This summer Mommy had surgery on her stomach (gall bladder removal) and I had to be reminded several times I couldn’t jump on her until she recovered.

Mommy finally got to teach in a single building this August. She loves teaching and helping her students grow. Less travel time means she can come home early and spend more time with me and take Josiah to swimming lessons more.

She also does a great job braiding my hair and painting my nails.

I think mommy’s greatest accomplishment this year is helping me learn this year!

Daddy

Daddy had a big change in his work. Over the past few years, he has worked overnights. But in November he went to part-time at his retail job. His content writing as taken off and loves helping Catholic businesses get their message out there.

He also started another new project working to publish a neighborhood Catholic magazine. I get to be his “four-year old assistant who doubles as his daughter”. While I don’t exactly have a full understanding of my job description I do know I travel with him to meet with people. I usually sit at a table coloring and am paid with a treat like candy or crackers.

Daddy still writes for his blog and creates funny memes, but it’s been a bit since he wrote about my antics. I think I need to steal his coffee more often.

His hobbies continue to be playing board games with us. We had fun playing dominoes, a cat & mouse game, and a monster-themed game! Daddy has been binge-watching Doctor Who too.

Probably the most important of daddy’s accomplishments is still giving me horsey rides. It’s fun!

Noah

Noah is in sixth grade at “the school whose name I don’t know” (again because I’m a toddler and get easily distracted with details). He played soccer in the spring and fall. Noah has improved his skills of passing, ball control, and scoring. ⚽

Noah learned to play the trumpet last year and has continued to develop a love and talent for this instrument. My family and I went to his band concert. It sounded good! I even paid attention for a few minutes (my parents were super proud of me).

My brother is also in Chess club.♟️He enjoys teaching my younger brother chess and loves playing against my dad. They talked about Fairy Chess pieces that included: a dragon, magician, and even a playtpus. I hope those pieces are pink so I can play with them when he’s not looking.

Amelia

Amelia is in fourh grade at “the school whose name I don’t know”. She still loves drawing and creating unique things out of paper, cardboard, tape, and other craft supplies.

My sister had her art published as a GIF. “Goldy the Hedgehog” caught the attention of someone my dad knew. This lady was making an app and loved Amelia’s artwork. I thought my sister did a good job drawing the hedgehog. 🦔

My sister is the best because she loves me and helps me get dressed, learn art, brushes my hair, and gets me bandaids when get hurt.

Amelia’s most important accomplishment this year is painting my fingernails. I love my sister!

Josiah

Josiah is a second-grader  at “the school whose name I don’t know”. He has lots of teachers that help him learn.

My brother is obsessed with maps and flags. His favorite countries are Portugal, Spain, United States, Canada, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Josiah played soccer for the first time this spring. I enjoyed watching him play but was also kinda sad because we couldn’t get into as much trouble as usual on the sidelines. His favorite futbol player is Cristiano Ronaldo. And he loves playing football, soccer, and baseball in the living room (he’s a one man sports team). 🏈 ⚽ ⚾

Finally, Josiah learned to read chapter books. Some of his favorite books include: Magic Treehouse and books about countries and sports. I like it when he reads to me.

Avila Catherine Geraldine

When I’m not committing shenanigans or earning snacks with my “daddy’s assistant” job, I learn lifeskills through my continuing education program (early childhood).

I don’t go to the same school called ” the school whose name I don’t know” as my siblings. But I do go to preschool (at a school whose name I can’t remember). I love school and my teacher and my classmates. I showed my parents all the cool things I learned at our school’s Fall Festival.

I still struggle with the “wigglies” at Mass. But I have been making improvements. I enjoyed waving leaves on Palm Sunday and having my dad push me in the stroller this one Sunday in June (he was talking about a Corpus Christi procession or something). One Mass I even went on a “bear hunt” and did my best to whisper. My parents thought I was weird.

Halpert

The latest addition to my family was someone almost as hyper as me. We got a puppy and named him Halpert (I think it’s after my dad’s favorite TV show). He has grown so much and learned a few commands like “sit”, “lay down”, and “settle”. I love to pet him, climb in his crate, play fetch, and take him for walks. One time he jumped out of the bathtub my family and I laughed at his craziness.

Halpert loves to play with my siblings and parents too. He helps cheer us up when we have a sad day.

Live your life to the fullest. Thank the people who helped you grow and learn. Count your blessings and your stuffed unicorns. 🙏🦄

And don’t waste time learning the names of schools whose name you don’t know.

Love,

ACGC— Muffin Miscreant, Coffee Culprit, and Adventure Seeker

P.S. Special thanks to my daddy for editing the Chicoine Family Christmas Card. I paid him in hugs.

P.P.S. Halpert will be taking over next year’s Christmas Card as I’m going to be too tired from my continuing education courses and general mischief making. I get to go to school all day next year!