On November 21st, Anna turned six! Six is such a fun age. The start of kindergarten, learning to read, more teeth fall out and reveal such a wonderful toothless smile…the list goes on and on. Every stage with the kids has it’s joys, but age six is one of my favorites.
“Mary”, riding her donkey to Bethlehem, carrying baby Jesus
We celebrated Anna this year with an Ariel mermaid birthday party. Kenny has become instrumental in parties now by transforming a portion of our unfinished basement into party-land. Last April it became a Jedi Academy for James’s party, and the bar was set fairly high. For Anna’s day he rose to the occasion and it became “under the sea”. James helped out in planning and implementing this and it was great. Complete with blue and green lights, bubbles, and streamer seaweed. The kids played ‘pin the tail on the mermaid’ and made their own sand art bottle to take home.
When I asked Anna what kind of cake, cupcakes, drinks, etc. she’d like to serve at her party she asked if we could have donuts, strawberry ice cream, sprite, and egg nog. The girl knows what she likes. Actually, after tasting the egg nog at her party she said, “That’s not how I remember that”. Oh well. She fully enjoyed the other sweets.
We have loved watching Anna grow this past year. She is excelling in kindergarten, has grown leaps and bounds in reading, and is quite responsible every day remembering what she needs for school. I love the fact that our school only offers half-day kindergarten, four days a week. It is a nice transition into the school years and I have thoroughly enjoyed having Anna home for the mornings. She is my buddy, my partner in crime every morning after the boys leave. Early on as a family we talked about how God gives each of us good work to do – it looks different for everyone. For Daddy, he goes to Young Life to work. For James, he goes to TCA to work. For Anna and myself, our work is at home in the morning, together. So, she helps with laundry, cleaning, prepping dinner, etc. Of course we usually make time to read and play a little too, but she is usually so eager to help however she can.
Anna, we love you so much and are so happy to see the little girl God is growing you into. Your heart for Him, for others at school, and for your family is beautiful. May you continue to love others well as you learn more and more how much God loves you.