You were
Daddy took you to
8/14/21 – Meet You On The Couch!
You woke up at 8:30a. Daddy tickled you and you were laughing soooo hard. We got up and I made pancakes. You said “Mama, meet you on the couch” because you wanted to watch Lion King. You’ve been singing Be Prepared in the car all week! You were also helping Daddy measure everything with the tape measure.
After breakfast, we headed to the Meadows to swim before the rain came. Benjamin was there and you two played with your new Dory dive toys and your new squirt guns all day! You said “excuse me Mr Alex. Can you please bring some cherries?!” He brought you guys a whole plate full and you were so grateful. We headed home around 2:45p because it was getting ready to storm and you had to go to Isabella Chiappones birthday party at 4p.
You had so much fun at the party. It was a Tangled theme and Rapunzel was there doing makeup and nails, she read stories to the girls and sang songs. We headed home around 7:30p. You were hungry when we got home so you had charcuterie then we headed to your room at 8:15p to read books. We read a few then when we were almost finished with Horton Hears A Who you said “I want to see the page but my eyes are getting sleepy.” You were snoring by 845! You needed the sleep so that was great.
I love you so much!
8/13/21 – It’s Not That Far
This morning, you insisted on wearing a long sleeve shirt & pants. I asked you several times to consider changing because it’s so hot out. You said you would bring clothes and change them in the cafeteria before going out to the playground at recess. You said, “I can walk to the cafeteria, it’s not that far, so I can walk there with these clothes on!” I sent a spare set of clothes just in case, but I figured, this would be a natural consequence so I let you wear it and left it alone.
When I picked you up, you excitedly jumped in the car. It was just about to storm so we headed straight home. We made pizza and Grandma Noot brought Zephyr over to play with you. They brought an ice cream cake for dessert and you were pretty excited about it! You found something on TV for you guys to watch and when I looked over you were laying on his lap. It was soooo cute.
After dinner, there was a break in the rain so we took them to check on the house. You were showing Zephyr around explaining what each room will be. I was cracking up. What you were telling him was actually correct too, which was even better! You asked Daddy to bring you down to the grass. You were standing on the seawall with him and pointing to the fish jumping in the water. It was the sweetest photo of a tender moment between you two. I love it! When we left we drove by Bay Haven so you could show them your school, which you described proudly as we drove by.
We headed home and you made Zephyr participate in your performances. He had to wear frozen dress up shoes and shortly after they left and we headed to your room to read. You were soundly sleeping quickly, but it was late so that’s what I expected!
I love you so much!
8/12/21 – Kids Don’t Have Any Money!
This morning, you came to my room already dressed & wanted to snuggle for a few minutes before we got ready. You missed Daddy because slept until almost 8:20a, but you were very happy and had plenty of rest. You brushed your teeth packed your “10 things about me bag” & asked me for piggy tail French braids so we did! We left home on time and got to school perfectly on time. You were so happy and even let me take “just one picture” in front of the manatee. When you walked up the steps to the gate, the school resource officer recognized you and said, “you are going to Ms. Wolleon’s class right?” You said yes and confidently walked with him. You blew me a kiss, waved & shouted “bye Mom! I love you!” What more could I want? You are happy & excited! Then I cried in the car for a minute. I guess I’m making up for not crying on Tuesday!
You got to present your bag of 10 things about you to your class. When I picked you up, I asked you if anyone liked your things & you said no! I was cracking up. The conversations with you these days are extremely entertaining, but if you see I have the video on you put your hand up to block it and stop talking. So these days, I have a lot of videos of the ceiling because I want to record everything you say. It’s all hilarious. Below is an excellent example. You were on fire today!!! lol!
The car line was much better at pick up today. It only took me about 15 minutes to get to you. When I pulled up, your face lit up and when Ms. Nowaski opened the car door, you looked at me beaming and shouted “HI MOM!!!!” as you climbed in the car. You had a great day and you looked happy and energetic, not exhausted like yesterday. A little sleep works wonders for you!!! You thanked me a hundred times for bringing your favorite charcuterie board as a snack. I wasn’t sure how this was going to go, so I was prepared to head either straight to gymnastics or home, depending on how you felt.
Coach Trey was there today so you worked hoard and did a great job! I was so proud of you. When we left the gym, it was pouring rain! We went home to have dinner and you were snuggling with Harry. You said “Mom, quick, grab the camera” because you & Harry were saying Cheeeeese! Of course, I jumped at the opportunity!
After we ate you told me how you had “Mac & cheese, a round bread and a healthy milk” for lunch… I said did you buy it? She said “no I didn’t buy it because kids don’t have any money!” ? I said well then did you steal it? you replied no I didn’t steal it because grown ups have all the money. I was trying not to laugh. You told me you got chemical food & I about died! I checked the menu & saw Mac & cheese was a choice. I just wanted to be sure if I owed money I want to pay. I checked with Ms. Wolleon to make sure I got the story straight lol. I also really don’t want you to buy their food. I prefer you to eat what I’ve packed.
After dinner, we dropped Daddy off at man night, climbed in my bed, read a bunch of little books and you were out before 9p. You had a wonderful day. You were happy all of the time I was with you and that makes me so happy. I hope school continues to be so fun for you!
I love you so much!
8/11/21 – Somebody’s Watching On You!
You came to our room early in the morning & went back to sleep. I couldn’t get you up until 8:30a. When you woke up you were trying to stay in bed and sleep all day! Then you wanted to play with your toys but I told you we didn’t have time. You got ready and we hit the road. I forgot your eggs on the kitchen counter & I didn’t realize it until I dropped you off. I felt so bad!! The good news is you had just woken up and it always takes you a while to be hungry. You have lunch at 10:55a, so by the time you are hungry it will be about time for lunch! Due to COVID, the county changed the procedures for pick up & drop off today so I couldn’t take you to classroom, just to the gate. The school resource officer walked you to your classroom.
The pick up line was insane because all the kids that didn’t ride the bus were in the car rider line. I parked on Bon Air and walked up instead. Some lady was trying not to release you to me but Ms. Stein went to get you for me. That line was at least an hour. Instead we were out in 5 minutes. You looked exhausted when you came out. You were sad because Kye left early. You said “I miss my new best friend!” I saw Ms. Wolleon while I was waiting for you and she said you guys learned the classroom rules today & you did great!!!
You wanted to snuggle on the couch after school so I started dinner than sat w you. Grandma Noot came and we had dinner. She gave you a mermaid bracelet. We were eating when Daddy came home. You were so excited to see him. He tickled you on the couch and you were giggling hard. You put on a Christmas performance with a made up Christmas song about Santa! We read 1 is for One and then headed to your room to read books & go to bed. You were wiggly and told me you weren’t tired. I had to leave the room because you wouldn’t settle down. I came back & you apologized. We snuggled up & when you finally laid down you were our in two minutes. It was 9p & you needed it because you were up too late last night!!!!
I love you so much!
8/10/21 – A Letter To You On Your First Day Of Kindergarten
Tomorrow has come. You’re starting Kindergarten. Everyone has joked with me because it took us so long to finally choose your school. Everything up to now was easy in comparison. The moment we walked in to Meet the Teacher, I felt so much better. But I cried the second we walked in the classroom and I couldn’t stop. Not because I’m afraid to leave you – your school looks like a learning utopia and Ms. Wolleon is warm and very visibly caring, but it’s bittersweet to know that your preschool years have come to a close and I am keenly aware that these elementary years are going to pass with lightning speed that the little girl you were is stepping back to make way for the big girl you are preparing to become. I have failed miserably to find the pause button, despite valiant efforts! You even said to me just the other day “Mom, do you know when you’re really going to cry? On Tuesday, when I go to Kindergarten.” Yes, Giovanna I will, but I assure you I am proud of you and excited to see what is to come, and that excitement is pushing out the bittersweet sadness. Please don’t ever mistake my tears for sorrow or take them as a bad thing. They are just evidence of the strength of my love and emotions for you. I’ve enjoyed watching you grow and learn and it is of course very exciting to see what your next chapter will bring. There is already so much you can do without me now. You want to do it by yourself. For everything you learn to do on your own, there is one less thing you need me for. That’s my job and I couldn’t be more proud of you for that, but it still stings. My heart soars when I think of all the wonderful opportunities ahead of you! As I begin to let you go, part of me will always hold on tight! I will always be there for you, I will never give up on you, I always love you unconditionally, I will always support and encourage you and remind you that you are a wonderful girl.
The beginning of your elementary school journey means that we’ve got 13 years left together under the same roof. I haven’t stopped crying since before Pre-K graduation, I can’t begin to fathom high school graduation yet, so please bear with me. Kindergarten may feel like a big jump, for both you and me. But I know you’re ready. I mean, let’s be honest, you were born ready. You have never walked in a room and not made a friend. It doesn’t faze you to be somewhere new – in fact you thrive on new situations and new people. You have been waiting for this day for years. I may not be ready, but you are!
Right now, your confidence is something to envy. You do what women have been trying to do for decades—be unapologetically you. Recently, I was “warned” that you don’t really care what others think, instead of finding that to be a drawback, I commented that we spend a ton of time and effort begging teenagers and young women to be confident and not worry about what others think. You are ahead of your time, once again!
You listen to the voice within yourself and follow that. You don’t care what you look like or what you wear. Sometimes you want to match, sometimes you prefer to mix-match. You’re brave, downright fearless. You try new things, talk to new people (ALWAYS have), and live every minute of your life daringly. I hope that you continue to do all of this and more. You are so strong, beautiful, unique, personable, kind and fiercely independent. Sometimes that makes my job tough, but I know this perfect recipe that you are made of will make you unstoppable when you are 25. I just hope I survive to see it!
Something happens to little girls once they start school. Sometimes society wants them to be quiet, act like a lady, and be meek. NOT YOU! I hope as you begin your journey that you continue to listen to that loud voice within you. We all hear that voice on the outside! But it’s going to be harder the older you get. The outside world will get louder. You’ll feel the pressure to act a certain way, look a certain way, and follow the loudest, the prettiest, the coolest (I know, I can’t imagine that not being you anyway ?). I hope that you are still at the front of your own one-person parade. I hope you maintain the strength that you have today to only look within yourself for the answer—never behind you and never ahead of you.
You can grow into an honorable woman and will accomplish amazing things by trusting yourself and not sitting quietly. You don’t have to sit back and let the boys answer all the questions the teachers ask. Raise that hand of yours. Answer the questions. You might be wrong at times—but never stop raising your hand. You already know so much, about people, about the world, about yourself and the sky is the limit of what you can learn. Continue to love what interests you and know that being smart is beautiful.
Accept faults and failing because it’s just part of the game. Just know that the real test will come when it’s time for you to get back up. When you take a bite out of humble pie, but then shoot your hand back in the air after being wrong. When you study harder for the next test. I hope you believe you can attempt anything, but that you aren’t devastated when you fails? I hope you understand that you WILL fail and you SHOULD fail? Most importantly, you need to know I love you and will always love you even when you do fail. I hope you know you can tell me anything. I hope I did enough to prepare you for this next big step.
Most importantly, Giovanna, I hope you continue to let compassion burn within you so brightly that everyone can see & feel it. I hope that when you see a kid sitting alone in the cafeteria or on the playground, that you not only sit or play with them—but that you bring others with you. I hope you will be a fierce includer and that you call out the excluders in a loving way that changes their hearts, too. Remember, I always tell you that if someone is unkind to you, in return show them kindness, because they need it the most! Please don’t forget that!
Kindergarten is going to be so much fun! I would be naive to think that every day will be joyous and wonderful as I know there will be hard days for you. There will be days when you feel like nothing goes your way. Days where kids will be mean to you. Days where you might be the one making bad choices. Times when learning is unfamiliar and challenging, but you will be ok. You will ALWAYS be ok. Know that I have been there, that I will listen, that I will support you and love you unconditionally. Know that even when you think I won’t understand, and there will be things I won’t understand, I will stand fiercely by your side.
My hopes and dreams for you as you embark on your school journey go far beyond the classroom. It’s in the building of relationships where your heart will continue to grow, and hopefully encourage the hearts of others to grow, too. Don’t be afraid to make new friends. Walk up and say hello. You never know if in that moment you will be meeting the greatest friend you will ever know.
I hope that you find someone that loves glitter as much as you do. I also hope you find someone that you have nothing in common with other than being five and strike up a conversation. I hope that you have deep belly laughs at least once a day, every day at school. And if you laugh so hard that you need a change of clothes, I snuck them in the bottom of your backpack already. I hope you find your passion, whether it is in sports, music, language, technology, or something that doesn’t even exist today. Giovanna, I have so many dreams for you as you kick off your big kid years.
I want you to run into that classroom and feel the opportunity that exists between those walls, in those books, through those friends. You might not feel it right away, and that’s hard for me. Because I won’t be there to hold your hand when you’re feeling a little bit insecure, reminding you of your strengths and the happiness that exists around you. But I’m here in a different way. Thinking of you at home. Looking forward to your stories. Knowing that we’re both stretching and growing together. This year, I want something to be hard for you as we grow the most during challenges. I hope that when you come up to something hard that you will not only rely on your tenacity (which abounds), but that you will lean on your teacher, your friends, and Daddy and me as learning to ask for and accept help is an essential part of life.
Kindergarten is just the beginning. But if you continue to live your life as you’ve done your first five years, you’ll be just fine. I know they won’t be easy, but I will cherish these next 13 years together with you. Because I know that they won’t last forever. I hope you never forget how beautiful you are and that beauty has nothing to do with your hair or your wardrobe. I hope you never fail to look around you and see those alongside you and those behind you, not just those ahead of you. How you treat others, and yourself, is far more important than any grades or accolades. I hope that you never forget that you are loved – not because of the things you do but because of who you are.
Be kind and work hard…everything else will sort itself out.
You inspire me, my girl. Now, go inspire the world.
I will be cheering you on every step of the way!
I love you so much,
Love Mama
8/10/21 – Kindergarten Kickoff – Your 1st First Day Of School
This morning, you ran to my room at 6:30a and climbed in bed. You were sooooo excited for your first day of Kindergarten!! You snuggled up with me and wanted to watch TV. I was trying to get you to try to catch a few more minutes of sleep, but you were WIDE awake. So, we watched a little TV while snuggling. You can get whatever you want out of me today!!! You barely wanted me to get up to shower, but then you did get up, do your jobs and ate your breakfast. You signed your Bay Haven contract before we left too! You wore the necklace that Grandma Weezie gave you and you were excited to show it off! Before we even left, Ms. Wolleon had already posted a welcome message in Class Dojo. I showed it to you and you were squealing with excitement!
We left our house at 8:30a to be sure we were on time! Grandma Weezie came with us to drop you off at school. I didn’t cry and later you told me you were proud of me for that! It was wonderful to see the classroom buzzing with excitement. You hung up your backpack, placed your lunchbox in the bin and began coloring your 1st day of school paper. When I went to leave, you grasped my arm and said “I don’t want you to go Mama, you are gonna miss all the fun!” I would love to stay more than anything sweet girl… but you need me to go so you can spread your wings and grow.
You love being silly! 
The Long Day Wore You Out! 
Ms. Sandy came with me to pick you up. I couldn’t wait to hear all about your day when I picked you up!!! I was shocked to see you laying on the floor in the classroom, with your backpack still on, soundly sleeping in the middle of the room. I felt so bad!!! The excitement, the long day, the newness, the nerves combined with your early wake up time got the best of you!!! One of the bigger kids helped wake you up. When you came out you gave me a huge hug and immediately opened your lunchbox and snacked on your fruit as we walked back to the car. Ms. Sandy brought you a Congratulations balloon & I had a little gift for you when we got in the car for you to open. When you saw the Finding Dory dive toys you were soooo excited. We headed to Cheesecake Factory (your choice) to celebrate your big day. While we waited a few minutes for our table, you got to play on the escalators. Hank the Octopus got to ride then handrails!
After dinner, we picked Daddy up at the airport to take him back to his car. You were so excited to see him that you jumped out of the car to hug him and hand him the mermaid note you made him that said “I miss you Daddy!” You also told him you wanted to surprise him so “I’m not going to show you the pool toys I just got!!!” When we dropped him off at his office and you insisted on going with him. You told me to go ahead and go home but that this time “it’s not a race” and that I would beat you home. Inside, you asked him “Can you show me your workshop?” He said “but no one is out there and the lights are off!” You said “I still want to see it.” Of course he obliged, and when he turned the lights on you said “Woooooowww!!! It’s so dangerous out here!” When we got home, we “washed” all your new toys in the sink for about 15 minutes then headed to bed. We snuggled and read one book. I asked you a hundred times since pick up and again when we were laying in bed to tell me about your day. What was your favorite thing? How was the cafeteria? What did you do first on the playground. I got some answers, but you didn’t give great detail about anything, although I was dying to hear the play by play! You told me your favorite thing was me picking you up, you loved the cafeteria and walking there was fun & that you did the swings first on the playground and now you know how to get there! Hopefully, I will learn more about your days in the days to come. I know you were spent, so I didn’t want to push it… You were snoring in 2 minutes before 9p, even though you told me you were not tired at all! I’m so happy you had such a great first day. I look forward to seeing what fun you have an things you learn in the coming year!
I love you so much!
8/9/21 – The End Of An Era Celebrated With A Day Of Fun!
Last night, I stayed up late to finished my letter to you for the first day of Kindergarten. I cry so hard when I write these letters to you. I am so keenly aware that the time is slipping through my fingers and that the little girl you were is stepping back to make way for the big girl you are preparing to become. Please don’t ever mistake my tears for sadness or take them as a bad thing. They are just evidence of the strength of my love and emotions for you. I’ve enjoyed watching you grow and learn and it is of course very exciting to see what the next chapter will bring. For everything you learn to do on your own, there is one less thing you need me for. That’s my job, but it still stings. I know you are capable of anything you put your mind to and I can’t wait to see all the fun you will have, friends you will make, stories you will tell me from your day and struggles that you may confide in me. I never knew love like this until I had you.
You are still feeling a little sick today. You slept in until 9a. Daddy had to leave before you woke up because he had to catch a flight for work. He’s so sad he won’t be able to walk you to school tomorrow, but he will be thinking of you the entire time! When you woke up, we had to run quick to my office to sign a quick seller which I forgot about. You very cooperatively and quickly got dressed and we hit the road before either of us could even brush our teeth!!!! A few minutes later we were back in the car, headed home, brushed teeth (yuck) and headed out to grab lunch on St. Armand’s circle and then went to Mote Marine. You loved petting the stingrays and asked to “dive in” with them!!!
We headed home to shower and relax for a little while because I thought you could use the downtime and break from the heat. We played with you Paw Patrol and snuggled in my bed for a little while. We got dressed and ran back by Bay Haven to retake a few photos to try to get better lighting. The rain was on the way, so we were speedy!! The skies opened so we went to the “cover up Publix” to benefit from the parking garage to stay dry. We headed home to FaceTime with Daddy and read books. I had a line up of books I wanted to read to you tonight. Of course I cried when I read “If I Could Keep You Little” and you again reminded me that I will really cry tomorrow. Again, you aren’t wrong! You didn’t need your “Jitter Glitter” that Ms. Wolleon gave us. You snuggled right up after books and drifted off to sleep. I will remember this day forever….As I kissed you goodnight, the sun has set on your preschool years. I have no idea how 5 years have flown by so quickly, but it was a wonderful ride!
I love you so much!
Goodnight…and Goodbye to the Preschool Years! 
8/8/21 – Gotta Have Shades!
This morning, I ran to the office to print off your first day of school poster before you got up. You woke up around 8:15a and had a lot of congestion and boogery nose. I stopped at Five-O donuts to get you a surprise, but you didn’t even want it when I got home. I felt terrible! I put you in the shower because there was so much crusty snot in your hair that we had to wash it out. You told Daddy you washed your hair, but when I combed it, it was very tangled. After a bit of discussion, I got you to agree to let me wash your hair in the sink because you didn’t want to get back in the shower. You looked so cute in the hair towel after!!!
We relaxed and played a little bit before we had to leave to head to Adventure Park for Back To School photos with Alisa Sue! You perked right up as soon as you saw her and smiled like a champ! I can’t wait to see her photos! I snapped a few with my phone because I hate waiting for them!!!
We headed home since you weren’t feeling fantastic. I thought you would lounge around and watch a movie, but you gave Daddy a run for his money. You played soccer, Minnie Mouse & Paw Patrol. Daddy needed to run to the mall and I was planning to stay home with you, but you got all spunky again, and insisted on going with him lol! So we all went, you were wearing your 3rd Birthday shirt and a Dora swim cover up as a jacket. I was cracking up! You packed your new bookbag full of toys and hit the road. You wanted to wear my sunglasses (I always try to get you to wear some but you always refuse) so I let you. When we walked into Macy’s there was a Sunglass Hut at the entrance, so we got you a pair of Ray Bans! You looked adorable in them! You chatted up the sales clerk. He couldn’t get over that you were only 5 years old. He asked where you were going to school and you told him. He went to Bay Haven too! We walked the mall for a little bit then headed to Nordstrom Rack. You immediately requested to go to the kids shoe section and put on a performance!!! You change shoes “backstage” (in the aisle) and come out and sing a new song (always in pretend foreign language gibberish) while I sit on a bench and I’m not allowed to “look backstage” or I get in big trouble because you have to change shoes and start over! We grabbed groceries and headed home.
Brand New Shades! 
We all watched some dinosaur movies and played “class” before and after dinner. I’m surprised how active you were today. I thought you were going to feel more sluggish. When the movie was over we headed to bed. At first you were wiggly. I left and told you to come get me when you were ready. You came out and said “I just wasn’t tired Mama, but I laid down and now I think I’m ready.” We read part of your Hello Atlas and you were snoring in 10 minutes! This is our last night together with nothing tomorrow. Tomorrow night, we will sprinkle your jitter glitter and get you ready to head off to Kindergarten…your first step of elementary school. Today, I really felt excitement piercing through my sadness. I’m so happy for you and I am excited to see all the fun you will have, things you will learn and ways you will grow physically, mentally, socially and academically. I’m so proud of you!
I love you so much!
8/7/21- Toy Story Sendoff
You woke up surprisingly early this morning, considering how late you went to bed last night. You climbed into bed with me at 7:30am to snuggle. You popped up, ran and got dressed and helped Daddy make the bed. You were excited because Bianca was supposed to be coming tonight for a sleepover, but Becky texted us and told us Bianca was sick and couldn’t come. You were so bummed as you were looking so forward to her coming!
We headed to school to take some Toy Story themed back to school photos with Katrina. I love how beautiful the school building is and I was excited to use it as the back drop for your photos. About half way through, the gate opened and Ms. Wolleon popped out to say hello. You ran up and gave her a huge hug. Again, my heart melted…this is EXACTLY how I want you to feel about your school and teachers. We were quick because it was super hot and humid.
We stopped by the new house and then ran into Whole Foods to get water and snacks. You literally stuck your whole head in the bakery case to smell which baked good you wanted. I was dying! We met Katrina at the Meadows for some pool fun. We left, showered and met them at Gecko’s for dinner. We picked up Grandma Weezie and took for her ice cream after dinner. She gave you a necklace to wear for your first day of school. We headed home and you snuggled on the couch with Daddy watching dinosaur movies. 9p rolled around fast so we headed to your bed. You snuggled with me for a few minutes and then were snoring fast. I kissed your cheek and covered your shoulders.
I love you so much!
