How can this be? Our sweet, sassy middle child is FIVE??? Man, does time fly. Below I will list some of her faves and some things about her. We had a great time celebrating her bday, and I will post those soon, too!
1. What is your favorite color? Rainbow (she also often says purple-it used to always be pink!)
2. What is your favorite toy? Unicorn stuffed animal
3. What is your favorite fruit? Peaches
4. What is your favorite tv show? Pinkalicious, Daniel Tiger, Caillou (I hesitated to even put Caillou bc she never watches it, but it was on her mind for some reason)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken nuggets and fries
6. What is your favorite outfit? Elsa Anna dress up clothes
7. What is your favorite game? Greedy Granny
8. What is your favorite snack? Cheez it’s, straight pretzels, Goldfish
9. What is your favorite animal? Unicorn, pony, horse
10. What is your favorite song? Frozen CD
11. What is your favorite book? Angelina Ballerina, Pinkalicious, Jesus Storybook Bible
12. Who is your best friend? Nora Kate, Owen, Connor
13. What is your favorite cereal? Strawberry Mini Wheats
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my bike with my new helmet
15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Pink blankie, unicorn (so many stuffed animals surround her in her bed)
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Donuts
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Chicken nuggets and fries
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A pony trainer (also a mommy and baby nurse)
21. What are some of your favorite places to go? Chuck E cheese (the last time we went was last summer!), old McDonald’s (Grandpa takes her when she visits), church, school (I added this question this year bc I some of the ones above end up being repetitive)
-Annie has matured immensely over the past 6 months. She is able to handle her emotions more appropriately and has mostly good days now. We went through some tough times-I'm not gonna lie-so I am so pleased to see this progress. She would get easily frustrated if she couldn't do something, and was (still can be) highly reactive. She has such a sweet, loving personality, and her passionate side will serve her well in life, she just has to learn how to control it. I can see this starting to take place. I love the conversations we have and the "girl" things we can enjoy together (doing hair, painting nails, etc). I can see a future buddy in her once she grows up, and that makes me happy!
-She is not going to kindergarten next year (our choice). I just felt in my gut that we should wait, and I am at such peace with this decision. There are several reasons for this decision (above mentioned is one). She would be turning 18 the weekend she graduates high school, and I just don't like that thought. She has also just grown up so quickly-I think partly because she is the middle-and I want to slow her down a bit. This may be partly a selfish decision, but I believe another year of maturity and another year at home will only be a good thing. Also, Ruby is July bday, and we both automatically assumed she would wait to start school, so if we do it for her, why not do it for both. I have also felt so affirmed by all of my teacher friends about this decision. Anywhoo, enough about that. I have done some extra things with her at home and next year her 3 day a week preschool is supposed to be focused more on kindergarten readiness, so I think we are in a good place. I am just going to try to enjoy her being little while I can!
-Annie has spent the night with grandparents a lot, but she had her first friend sleep over at Nora Kate's in January, and she had a blast! They entertained her well playing, baking, and watching a movie. In fact, they generously have her over often, and she always loves the time with her friend! I think they are a big reason why she has developed a love of baking, which is great! We gave her a baker's kit for bday (girl colored bowl and measuring utensils, etc).
-I hosted a baby shower in January, and she was such a helper! She was so cute hanging by my side and doing whatever little task I asked of her. She felt big, and she acted big!
-We had a snow day in January (and no snow actually came). Steven was working from home, so I took the kids to Let's Play for the day. The 2 big kids ran around the entire time together and were thick as thieves. Afterward, I heard Annie say-Henry you’re my best friend ever!!
-We had some cold days in winter where the kids played outside, then I would have hot cocoa ready for them by the fire. Annie showed so much hot cocoa excitement!! She was thrilled and enjoyed every stir and every slurp.
-Annie is very compassionate, and it is so sweet to see. She does not get this from me. She is a little care taker. She checks on Steven and me when sick. If her siblings get hurt, she will check on them and pat them/rub their back/etc. For as emotional as she is, she is not needy when sick herself. She says she wants to be a nurse or baby nurse, and if she continues to have this personality trait, I can definitely see that happening.
-She always wants to name her babies Alisha or sometimes Rachel. When playing family her kids names are Alisha and Martin. Ha!
-I bought some tortellini from Costco after she raved about the sample, and she just loved it every time I made it at home! We all laughed at her as she relished in her meal. Nobody else thought it was that great!
-We had this conversation: Annie-Mommy,
when you have a baby do they give you medicine? And you fall asleep,
and the doctor cuts you and gets the baby out? Me-Yes, that’s what happens
sometimes/to some mommies. (Pause-I thought we were done) Annie-What about the other way? Me-Well, God
makes it where doctors can help mommies get their babies out safely.
(pause-I was hoping this would suffice) Annie-How? Me-Well, god made mommies special and only mommies can have babies.
Babies come from a mommy’s girl parts. Annie-What? Me-repeat the whole girl part thing. LONG pause....Annie-Oh!! That’s
cool!!! (Then she moved on to a totally different subject. I loved her response! She didn't say gross or weird, but cool!)
-We get tons of frogs in our pool box in spring bc it's warm in there, and Henry always gets them out and plays with them. The girls are the audience, and one time I heard screams and cries inside, then realized it was coming from Annie. Evidently the frog had jumped out of H's hand directly onto her face. Steven and I could not stop laughing. Of course Annie. Only Annie. Poor Annie.
-We had family in town and the cousins were all together on the hammock. She was assigned as messenger to come in to get blankets for hammock people, but totally broke down when I told her she needed to report back it was time to be done. Aunt Mae and I cracked up over this middle child problem who always complies and does what others ask, then has to contend with disappointing others when things go awry.
-She told
me after church holding back tears that she almost cried when she saw Ruby on playground (preschool and bigger kid playgrounds are separated by a fence). Asked why and she said bc she wanted to hug her. She
said she sat on bench til she felt better. (This is the maturity I've mentioned. It sounds so funny to hear her articulate it, though!)
-We cracked up over this-Steven was swimming w Annie and she said, “I love you, daddy. Nora Kate’s daddy is pretty good, but I like you better”
-Steven said something about putting on his swim trunks, and Annie said, "Ommm, you said trunks!!" Like swim trunks was a bad word. ha!
-She is not a performer like her bro, but she will sing for us occasionally. Seek ye first most recently.
-I was telling her how right after she was born and I was holding her, she turned her head toward me and just stared and stared right into my eyes. She said, “I guess bc you were so pretty." Awe:)
-She loves Ruby after she wakes up from her nap (Annie doesn't take nap anymore). She tries to cuddle with her and wants to hug and kiss her (Ruby is usually resistant). Recently Annie said, "I love you in my heart and I’ll never stop loving you" during one of these post nap times.
-When Annie gets excited, she does some crazy dancing. She has her own style, and it cracks us up. She is also a hard clapper when she is happy about something.
-One phrase of hers that I don't know where it came from-"Mommy, I’m off like a shot!" meaning I'm leaving quickly!
-She's asking lately for a side ponytail. She wants her clothes to be comfy-not "crunchy". Otherwise, she is ok with whatever! Went through a phase of throwing a fit every time when putting on socks. Steven was the one in charge of this task-getting the "ball" the right way for her. She can be a mess if she's fouled up about something like this!
-She took ballet this year and did amazingly well. She goes every Mon morning and loves it. She never complains or fusses about it. She had spring recital in May and was super! I wasn't sure how she would be about the stage, etc, but she was great! She loves her teacher Miss Hannah and particularly a friend named Ellie.
