The Little Things: Annie is Five!

The last few days have been full of celebrations...

Annie Eliza is five! It's quite hard to believe it's been five years, and we find ourselves looking at her in shock--she doesn't look at all like a toddler, she is definitely a big girl, and we love watching how her personality continues to manifest itself.

What's Annie like these days?

In many ways, her interests have remained the same, they've just intensified, and she's approached them with much more patience and stamina. She's in a book writing kick; having me write out the story she dictates while she illustrates them--she will do this for literally hours (she learned this at school where after the story dictation they get to act out each other's stories). She loves to practice writing, and is showing increasing interest in math, too. She continues to amaze us with her imagination, and loves to role play. She also continues to love music, to dance, and is very excited that for the next two weeks in a row, she gets to sing at with the Cherub Choir at church...She loves her independence and showing us how she can help. She loves to take care of Siri and to nurture other little ones as well. Annie is intense, silly, compassionate, dramatic, and we love being her parents.

For her birthday, we had a Cowgirl Party with some friends at her preschool. She was thrilled to get to share some of her favorite things about the place with her friends.

Face Painting

Climbing and Sliding Down the Challenge Hill--after a week of rain, we were a muddy mess!

Checking Out the Creek
Each day, Annie's class has walked down to the creek to check on its status--dry? flowing? frozen?

Roasting Marshmallows (and dodging smoke) around the Campfire

Siri spent most of the outside party time inside the little log cabin--playing "Laura" with whomever would join her

Playing Drums

Into the Movement Room (where Annie has lunch once a week) for snacks,

playing "Pin the Hat on Jesse,"

and, birthday cake!

After opening presents, it was time to head back outside for more face painting,

and more pictures.

It was an overcast day. But, you should note the kids are not wearing coats and we played outside. We've hoped to be able to do this the last couple of years, and were so happy for a nice day!!! It was a wonderful morning...

For Annie's dance class on Monday night, it was Family Night. Her teacher invited all the kids to dance, and this, of course, thrilled Siri (she'd even come in her tutu!). Annie loved showing her what to do, and Siri was a natural...I think it will be hard to convince her to stay out of the room for the rest of the year...