2016
Merry Christmas from the Powers family! We can hardly believe another year has passed already. This may have been our busiest year yet. The year was full of milestones and professional success. We had a lot of fun at home and while traveling. We explored some new parts and sights of New York City this year and have an ongoing bucket list. We might never see it all, but we can try.
^^That paragraph started the 2015 letter, but it still applies. Life is busy, and I’m starting to think it’s not going to slow down.
We took two big trips this year as a family, spring break in Los Angeles tacked on to Rob’s third trip to the Emmy Awards and a big trip to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta and more importantly to celebrate Ahad and Mary Rose’s wedding.
Rob has just finished season 2 of Peg + Cat. Back in April the show was nominated for a third round of Emmy Awards, including for Best Direction in a pre-school animated series (go Rob!). Unfortunately Rob did not win this year, but the show came home with a couple of wins. We took the kids to Universal Studios again – this might be our favorite theme park. But we also spent a day at Disneyland as well as the California Science Center and Griffith Park.
Kasey here. I spent the year traveling and learned that work travel isn’t exactly fun. January was spent in Indiana collecting dissertation data, with a second quick trip in May to finish up. I presented preliminary findings at a conference in Orange County in October. Other travel included, the above family trips, two additional conferences, and the AP reading. I’m spending my time now writing my results and looking for a job. I plan to defend in the spring. I also said that last year, but this time I really mean it.
Simon had a milestone year and turned 5 in July. He had another park party, but this year we grilled. Simon got to try out day camp this summer for the first time. Our church does a really amazing City Camp (known as VBS back home) from 9-3 each day for two week. Simon was old enough this year and every week since he asks when it’s time to go back to City Camp.
Simon’s biggest change this year was starting Kindergarten in September. He tested into NYC’s Gifted & Talented program and we are lucky enough to have a G&T class at our local school. Not all schools house the program. We decided to try it and so far he’s doing great. Mom and Dad are having to relearn elementary school math strategies… Simon is also motivated to learn to read having realized that he is only at Level A and some classmates are at C or D. So we’ve been using the library more than ever before. Right now we are enjoying The Magic Treehouse and The Boxcar Children books.
Caleb turned 2 in February and we celebrated with our best NYC friends at an indoor play space. Boston Market and red velvet cake for all! Compared to last year, Caleb is a different kid. He talks all. the. time. And can carry on a decent conversation. I almost forget how delayed his speech was. All he wants to do is keep up with Simon and he does a pretty good job of it. In some ways it’s easier to just do two of the same, but I miss my cuddly baby sometimes.
We left our longtime daycare in July. Since Simon was moving on, we went ahead and moved Caleb too. His new daycare/pre-school is much closer to our apartment and only one block from Simon’s school so pick-up and drop off are a 10 minute (kids are slow) walk from home instead of 30.
Another big change in school for all of us is instead of staying until 6pm three days a week, I pick the kids up at 2:25 (Simon) and 3:00 (Caleb) for park and play time before coming home to homework and dinner. It’s a different flow for our family, but one that is working out nicely.
A sad event came in September, and Rob’s loved pet rabbit Mr. Theodore Monkey died. He was old and unable to walk and it was time.
If you’ve made it to the end, happiest of holidays. It’s been a packed year for us. We have enjoyed the time for those of you we’ve been able to catch up with in person, and for the others hope we see you again soon.
Love,
Kasey, Rob, Simon, & Caleb.
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For previous Christmas cards and letters: 2016 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010,