December 14, 1944

Dear Edward,

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! [And] Happy Birthday, big brother! This may not reach you until your birthday, but we still wish you a Merry Christmas. I remember all the Christmases when you were with us to help us celebrate it. [I remember] one year especially, when we were in a hurry to get a tree and get it decorated, and you helped me decorate it. We got our tree today.

I have some ducks that are nice and fat and I will always have one ready for you when you come home.

Tomorrow is the last day of school before Christmas vacation. Today I went to two parties. One [was a] school party, and [the other one was] a church party. We had a lot of fun at each.

Mother got me a scout uniform after quite a while of waiting and I have my second class badge and my swimmers badge. I am going to receive my hostess and cook badges soon. (I have already completed the work on my hostess badge but haven’t gotten it yet.) This summer I hope to get my Life Saver’s badge.

Do you know I am in the seventh grade, and am eleven years old and am going to the Eacondido School. We have work like they have in Junior High. We change classes and all. First period I have English, second and third [I have] Arithmetic, fourth [is] P.E. (Physical Education) then we eat lunch. Fifth [period is] Social Studies, sixth [is] (Elective) Band, seventh [is] Reading, and eighth [is] Science. Each period is forty minutes long. I play clarinet in the first Band.

We are all well at home and hope you are the same.

Love and Kisses. God Bless and Keep You.

Bebe