On November 21st, our Anna-girl turned eight. Amazing. I really can’t believe she’s eight. I know I say that on every birthday post for the kids, but it’s true! The years really are flying by.
Her birthday was a Thursday. She requested donuts for her class treat so I took those in during snack time. I love how our school celebrates birthdays. It takes SO much time to celebrate every student’s birthday, every teacher’s birthday, every tutor’s birthday. But I’m so glad they value each person this way. The whole class sang Happy Birthday and then asked Anna some questions to get to know her better as she sat at the front of the class.
That evening I made her favorite meal – Ziti and fresh fruit – and Anna opened our gifts to her.
We had her party a few days later on Saturday. We took our family, Anna’s best friend, Presley, and Aunt Lynn to see Frozen 2 in the theater. Presley’s mom even bought the girls matching Frozen outfits to wear to the movie. Then we headed back to the house for pizza and cake and ice cream – chocolate cake with coffee frosting and crushed Oreos on top with coffee ice cream on the side. Anna LOVES the flavor of coffee. She, of course, doesn’t drink coffee at eight years old, but she loves to have a sip of ours now and again. She loves coffee flavored milk shakes and often orders coffee ice cream when we go out for ice cream.
When we asked Anna if she felt “eight” now, she replied, “I don’t even feel seven yet!” Too funny. Maybe about the time she turns nine she’ll feel like she’s eight.
In the past few months Anna has taught herself to blow bubbles with bubble gum. She’s been trying for quite awhile. We’d all sit down with bubble gum and Kenny and I would talk her through what she needed to do. She was so determined so I just started buying bubble gum on a regular basis so she had the opportunity to practice. And finally, it all clicked!
In recent months Anna also has gotten into magic tricks. Kenny loved magic tricks when he was young and when he found a box of old stuff in the basement, Anna wanted to learn right away. She’s been practicing some tricks and we also got her a few new ones for her birthday. The next time you see her, ask her to do a trick for you!
Anna continues to enjoy ballet and dances all over the house. After school she often changes into ballet slippers and dances. Anna will dance to new pop music Dad introduced her to, to classical music I have on while cooking, or now to Christmas music. Some of her favorite music to dance to is the Nutcracker. She loves making up dance routines and we so enjoy seeing her creativity.
Anna, we love you so much and look forward to all the coming year will bring for you! Happy birthday, sweet girl!