Terri Schlichenmeyer

Your dad says his team is doing well this year. Mom’s happy, too.

Grandma is the best cook ever! She’s second only to Mom, who makes your favorite foods every day.

At the beginning of the Civil War, many freedmen and recent-runaway slaves tried to enlist in the Army to fight for the North. There were laws against that kind of thing then, but after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the Union Army was open to former slaves.

“Use your head!” That’s what your parents, grandparents, even your teacher says all the time.

There’s a little jingle in your pocket, and you can’t wait to spend it. So what will you buy? Will you purchase candy or a toy?

Science is an interesting thing. It can tell you why the sky is blue and your cat isn’t; why you kinda resemble your great-grandpa, if you squint; and when’s the best time to go moon watching.

For almost every day of your life, someone’s reminded you to share. Usually, it’s about sharing your toys, but that’s not all. You share games, the sofa, your ideas, snacks and any chore that needs four hands.

When school started this year, you felt a little strange.

Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon and eggs. Rock ‘n’ roll, Mario and Luigi, Whip/Nae Nae, Batman and Robin. Some things just naturally go together; they belong in pairs.

Ever since you were born, you’ve loved music. Your mother tells stories of you bopping in your crib, baby-dancing to songs on the radio.