Sissy, here we are again!

A year has passed and I'm home again about to celebrate you getting older. I've been home for a while. It's actually been fun to spend so much time with you. You're still as talkative as ever, and you still ask so many questions. You're going through a computer phase right now. Every day you're practically glued to your computer, switching between Roblox and Minecraft. I have to say, I am impressed with your ability to remember every detail of two computer games (and remember nothing of schoolwork).

In fact, you want a pink unicorn Minecraft party this year. It took me days to convince you to let me make a decent looking cake instead of a copy of a pixelated Minecraft cake. Although, I'm going to end up making a red velvet cake from scratch so I'm not sure who really won that argument.

But we don't really argue yet. You're too young for that. I'm sure we will though. As you get older and I hopefully get wiser, I'll have things I want to teach you, and if you're anywhere near as stubborn as you are now, you won't want to listen. But trust me, sissy. I've made enough mistakes in only 20 years to learn a lot. You'll turn out alright, though, with or without my well-intentioned advice. You are constantly surrounded by people who love you, and you will be for the rest of your life.

It's crazy to think about how much you've grown. Next year you'll be 10 and before I know it, you'll be a teenager. I know you want to grow up; you've been counting down the days to your birthday since quarantine started. But it's really okay to stay young for a bit.

Enjoy this time, Camila. Enjoy the time you have when the whole world is yours. Make new friends, and keep your old ones. You never know, one of the friends you have now might be the one you keep forever. I know you don't like to listen to me, but I promise I give good advice. After all, it wasn't too long ago that I was 9, too. So on that, I've got some advice from nine-year-old Anna for nine-year-old Camila.

1. Listen to mom. She actually does know best, and she's only trying to protect you.

2. Eat your food. You're shorter than I was at your age, and I was short, man. You've all got to be taller than me; that is my goal.

3. Go play outside. Don't spend so much time inside. Being outdoors is so much more fun, trust me.

4. Read. A lot. Read everything you can get your hands on. Books are the best adventures, not video games. I stand by this statement.

5. Crying is okay, but it won't fix anything. Cry when you need to and don't be ashamed of it. But after you've had your cry, get to work on fixing the problem.

6. Make friends and talk to new people. Start making friends now or it's only going to get harder in the future.

7. Don't worry about the mean kids in school. Don't listen to them and you do what makes you happy.

8. Be nice to Valentina, even when she's annoying. (This is the hardest one).

9. And don't forget to be kind before anything. Be happy and loving and full of light. Your life will be so much better, trust me.

I know having a birthday in quarantine must suck, but it'll be great. You'll have a fancy Minecraft cake and a family that loves you. Enjoy being nine, sweet girl. I can't wait to see the amazing girl you're going to become.

Love always,

Banana