Videos!

Now that I just figured out how to add videos here (through YouTube) this will become much more fun! I can share stuff like this (she didn't know I was recording it). We watched her from the kitchen window and it was I adorable I teared up. A perfect example of my Future Self telling me how much I already know I'll miss this.

And last week's piano recital! Over The Rainbow with a little bobble in the beginning but nice recovery (that's the hard part). By the way she hates piano but too bad so sad, this is something we are insisting on. Her piano teacher is awesome and knows Anna hates it too and navigates around it! Anna asks how long she has to continue piano lessons and we say "until you're really good". You'd think that would motivate her to practice?!

I raked a path through the leaves a few weeks ago for a little obstacle course :)

And this was a few weeks ago at her winter school fair (hers is the hamster ball in the back). We had visitors that weekend who were there with us: Nana, grandpa Ray, Paw-Paw and Maw-Maw all came to town!!!!

Life is good, now I'm going to be video happy!!!

Catching up a bit

It's tougher and tougher for me to keep up with the blog these days because I do these entries from my phone and it's a lot to type on a tiny iPhone screen! I don't do these on the computer because that means having time to sit down and plan and thoughtfully process my entries. Plus my phone has all the cool pictures on it to include here, like these:
















Anna's single riding lesson we purchased from Groupon (January). Anna loved the lesson but hated the jeans :) She would love to take regular lessons but finances don't allow it this year ($165/month!). We'll keep it in mind, though!

And this blog doesn't let me insert movies directly. I'd have to post them to YouTube and then link. The extra steps are too much for me these days! Her life in iPhone photos and movies are all pretty much on Facebook.

Here's a test video to prove me wrong maybe? I can't tell as I write this!

Some high level thoughts of lately. Anna's definitely has her "only child" habits/tendencies but she is such a great kid! She's growing out of the meltdown phase when we say no which has been awesome (though she still has her moments!).

She's understanding practicality of everyday things like not needing to spend money on certain things or cleaning up after herself as she goes to help keep the house tidy, or brushing her teeth now while she's in the bathroom instead of remembering to so it later...little things like that (including, Daddy while you're in there can you get me a cup of water?). She is trying to be mindful of eating healthy and notices when we do too.

She's still a picky eater but has started to venture out a little (she finally tried, and loved, the soft tacos from our fave Mexican restaurant instead of her 3-year long streak of cheeseburger!).

We still have these guys who blend in with the household nicely and put up with Anna's constant attempts at forced cuddles:







Cats aren't much interested in selfies.

We also still have the hamster Buttercup who is happy enough being left alone in her cage everyday, but tolerates the madness when she's out and can run a mean hamster ball path through the house.

And after 4 fish in 3 years we are done! Those things were more upkeep than the cats!

Anna's going to be 7 in just 7 short weeks. She's got ideas for her party, all girls, at the house again, decorating T-shirts and putting on makeup or something. Pretty sweet.





She's growing out of her clothes so quickly it's insane. I've heard about this with kids! :)

We love this little girl so much! I am so grateful for the last 7 years.