Catching Up: Charlie

Charlie turned 9 in January, right in the middle of our family's first time quarantining with actual COVID (as opposed to all the previous quarantines due to near exposure) so we celebrated at home with just our family. My parents very generously offered to pick up a Dairy Queen cake for us, which was much appreciated as I was double tired from COVID and morning sickness. We added a little coronavirus to his cake we could remember this as the "COVID birthday." Once everyone was better, Charlie was able to have a party at PK's in Canby with all of his friends. Much fun was had in the ball pit and too much pizza was ordered so we had lots of leftovers to enjoy.

Charlie finished up 3rd grade, and has started baseball again this summer. He's super excited to have Seth as his coach this year. 

I also have a few photos from the school year below. The first is "Market Day" in Spanish class. The 2nd is from a field trip the class took in which Charlie was selected from the group to try on some safety equipment. 

Charlie and Frank are at the ages where they seem to be locked in constant battle, but every once in awhile I will catch them getting along. I came downstairs one morning to find Charlie reading to Frank and had to take a picture if only to prove that they are, in fact, capable of peaceful interactions.

As loud as Charlie is capable of being himself, you wouldn't think loud environments would bother him, but it appears they do. We attended the Quincieñera of one of Elena's classmates (which was a lot of fun to see!) and it the band was pretty loud. At one point, I saw Frank screaming as loud as he could just to see if anyone could hear him (we couldn't). Charlie, in an effort to lesson the noise, took a couple of Lindt truffle wrappers and made ear plugs out of them. The effect was interesting to say the least.

Like most kids, one of Charlie's hobbies is to sneak on my phone and take videos. There are too many to keep, but I'll share a few examples.