One of my favorite things to do is travel. And a primary reason is experiencing different cultures through food. When the pandemic narrowed our boundaries, we decided to visit a different country every Saturday through take out dinners.
As a family who rarely orders take out, it was a treat for everyone. And living in the Boston area, there is an amazing array of choices.
In the past four months, we have visited China, France, Georgia, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Trinidad and Venezuela.
Sophia and Jason most enjoyed taking the containers out of the bags like the wrapped presents that they were, and the desserts. Some of what they tasted inspired the desire to take trips ("Can we go here for real when the germs go away?")
We ordered mostly from the appetizer section to gain the greatest variety in manageable portions and played music from the country while we dined. Afterwards, we watched videos about the place we were visiting (especially enjoyed: "National Geographic Kids: Are we There Yet?" series).
I want to spark an interest in learning about people and places. I want our children to experience the delight of different. We all ate flavors we had never tasted before, and some were too spicy for all of us, but because we tried we enjoyed things we now know we love. Eating this way felt like an event, when much else is currently cancelled.
Yet to come are two of my favorite cuisines, Afghani and Ethiopian. And we are hopeful that by the end of the year we will be able to visit Jason's Mom's favorite Massachusetts Ecuadorian restaurant with her.
Seven snuck up on us. I remember two feeling old and then five, but seven is a reading, bike riding person who seeks independence whenever possible.
The night before her birthday I pulled into the parking lot of the Fancy That Tea Shop for take out of their afternoon tea. While it served as breakfast in bed this year, I can't wait to bring her back for an in person experience.
Later that evening, the food theme continued with Sophia's request for McDonald's for dinner.
This was the first year she curated her own birthday wish list and put a lot of thought into the doll accessories, including details such as underwear and glasses.
One incredible blessing of the Pandemic was that family and friends could join us from Canada, Vermont, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio and Indiana.
Sophia asked for Carolyn to make her a pink cake with pink frosting, and rainbow sprinkles.
The night concluded with Sophia's annual birthday dance with her Dad.
The next morning our friend Rebecca dropped off these beauties. It makes me smile every time I see Josh bring them back to the stable (our shed). They served as the floats in Sophia's birthday parade.
We also decorated the stroller to serve as a parade spectator stand.
We were thankful for those who joyfully celebrated with us, including Sophia's dentist!
When we returned home from the parade, which took place around the corner away from our busy street, we were delighted to find our door decorated by Aunt Aimee.
We love you Sophia and are excited for another year with you.
Dear Sophia (favorite nicknames this year: Sweet-Pea, Sweets)
This year you turn 7, how cool is that!
First grade has been a blast with Mrs. Carnes, even if it was interrupted by a global pandemic. You have missed your friends, but we are grateful for the way that technology has allowed you to keep in touch with a few of them. I have seen moments this year that flash me forward 10 years as you take the phone to have a lengthy conversation with Carolyn, or video chat with your grandparents in Philadelphia or New Hampshire, send Marco Polo/ or Facebook Messenger Kids videos far and wide to family and friends, or have tea over video with Aunt Aimee.
This year you picked up karate, and we have enjoyed watching you roll around the mats and learn new moves.
You got your first pet, Bon-Bon Margaret Archambault the slug. You started to read by yourself and took off on your bike. You also started your first collection—rocks.
You love to explore the beach for treasures or rocks in the woods. You dance and sing your heart out to Go Noodle videos on YouTube, and love watching Berenstain Bears, Gigi and shows on Minno Kids with Jason.
Your future plans for jobs this year include being a teacher at CKH, owning a donut shop and being a mother. You are creative in your logic to try to get what you want, but still love to pick all of the above if you are allowed to get a taste of every experience or option we give you.
One recent example was you wanted to know every kids menu item at the local fast food restaurants when we told you you could pick the place to order food from for your birthday, but had a hard time making a final decision based on the kind of milkshakes that were available at each location. You wanted to pick up food from one place, but milkshakes from another.
You continue to be a fantastic sister to twin baby Js, who joined us in July. You read to them, play with them, and make them giggle. You have changed diapers and love to carry little baby J in the carrier.
You have relished in spa days on Saturdays with mom, and love to listen to music on the radio, saying, “this is my jam” even when it is a song you are hearing for the first time. You will declare your love for things like shopping, even as your mother and I say we are not huge fans. You know what you love.
You love learning about God and ask your mother and I lots of good questions about heaven. We are so grateful for those in our church community that work to help foster your interest in the Bible and the lessons it contains for us on how to treat those around us.
When Sophia was born we had been fostering kittens and cats with our local animal shelter.
She was only a few months old when we took a break from that role. For the past six and a half years only humans and plants have lived in our home, but in the past several years Sophia and Jason have been asking often for a pet.
Recently, we had been hearing a lot about how now while everyone is staying home, it is a great time to get a pet. However, we were not expecting our adventure along the Rockland Rail Trail to result in our bringing someone new back with us.
Sophia was taking up the rear on her bike, when we heard her exclaim, "a real living thing!"
She then told us it was her "dream to have a pet that is actually alive".
Technically her first pet was a barnacle, which she was thrilled to find attached to a shell and learn that it was a "living thing". However when she asked about purchasing barnacle food, we clarified that this particular barnacle washed up on the shore was no longer living.
As soon as we got home from the rail trail, Sophia and her Dad got to work on researching and preparing the right environment/foods from our backyard.
Sophia checks on her pet often, letting us know when it is eating or sleeping, and has determined that they share the same birthday and age. Coincidentally I was the same age as Sophia is now when I got my first pet, a rat named Ratchel.
Sophia also decided our slug was a "she" and named her 'Bon-bon Margaret Archambault'.
