Happy New Year!

Fortunately for us, we are accustomed to spending the Christmas season at home, so things didn't feel too different this year. Emily's school did a modified version of their annual Christmas lunch and gift exchange. For her, that meant that she dressed up for the Zoom meeting and made a gift at home for her assigned buddy (which we delivered to the school in advance, and picked up the gift that someone made for her at the same time). Luckily, she never eats what they serve for Christmas lunch anyway, so this year wasn't any different on that front. :)

Ready for the fancy Christmas lunch!

 

She was definitely happy to have a couple of weeks away from school, but I also think that there was a lot of boredom, too. Without the usual play dates, she was reduced to FaceTime calls and many of her friends spent the entire call playing video games, so it didn't feel very rewarding. We did manage to get some cookie decorating in and Emily really took pride in creating elaborate decorations for each cookie. 

I suppose that this is consistent with her continued interest in art. She has become interested in Gacha life characters, which are a type of Japanese anime. She draws pretty regularly, but likes to do so on the iPad rather than on regular sheets of paper. I guess that drawing on the iPad makes it easier to correct mistakes, etc. 

Emily also participated in the Zoom violin concert that her teacher arranged shortly before Christmas. In addition to performing traditional carols with Abbie, she also performed Minuet 2 by Bach as a solo. I think that she was pretty nervous (I have heard it go more smoothly in the past), but it is still good to see how much progress she is making (excuse the amateur videography):

Emily was kind enough to make a present for her elf this year - a miniature backpack - and Frisbee took it with her when she left for the year. Christmas was good overall. Emily received some Beats headphones, a Mighty (a mini device for playing music), lots of clothes, American girls books, etc. 

Above, she is sporting one of the sweaters that she received, along with one of the many fluffy scrunchies that Grandma and Grandpa P. sent her, all while reading one of her new books. 

School resumes next Tuesday, and she claims that she isn't ready to start classes again, but I have a feeling that she will welcome the return of the routine. I know that I will!