All the clues are lining up. Annabelle has landed herself in the middle child position! To her credit, she rolls with it. I am really doing my best to be aware of our family's activities and where she falls within them, but it doesn't always work out to her benefit.
She continues to be sweet, smart, engaging, entertaining, messy, and a friend to all she comes in contact with. She is still enjoying her dance classes that happen once a week. She is building to the big recital that will be happening mid-May. I can't wait to see it! She just got her outfit this week. Last night when we were getting ready to read a story in her room, she said, "Wyatt, do you want to see my dance costume?" Very excitedly. Wyatt, being the kind and interested brother that he is, was excited to see it, and commented about the things he liked about it. Makes my heart sing to have my big kids interact like that. Both equally happy and interested for the other. I could cry just writing this. The once a week classes end with the recital, but she will do a camp this summer. I'm thinking it might be hip-hop, just to change things up. I think she'll love it!
She LOVES her sister...in an almost dangerous way! I am constantly trying to get her to back off with her playfulness with Daphne. It's tough because I don't want to her to stop wanting to engage with Daph, but she is also not careful, and doesn't understand how her big actions could be disastrous for Daph! She wants to walk with her, hug her, shake her, etc. It's cute, but hard to watch at the same time. I'm not always sure that it's playful on Annabelle's part...
Speaking of not careful - sweet Annabelle is not the most graceful girl! In fact, she is quite clumsy! Maybe it's just a phase or a growth spurt, but this girl will trip over her big toe - multiple times in a day!!! I'm not sure if there's anything we can do about it, except continue to warn her to slow down and think about what she's doing.
She is so ready to read! She is eager to sound out words, loves to write notes and will look at books for long periods of time. She still loves to draw, and comes up with the cutest ideas. She is listening to things that are being said around her, and constantly absorbing. It's crazy to think that she is 5, and headed to kindergarten.
Annabelle has been doing the spring swim clinic with the swim team! She is so eager to go every day, and the days that we haven't gone (there haven't been many!), she is bummed. We usually have to wake Daphne up from her nap, so we are a few minutes late, which she doesn't like (middle child clue - having to be late b/c of her baby sister!). I like it that she doesn't like it, though! She is shining as a swimmer, and I think will do well this summer in the meets! I can't wait to see how she does in her first real competition.
She still has to hang with boys quite often, as most of our friends have only boys. She does really well with it, and I think it will be to her advantage as she grows older. I have one friend that just told me that her middle son (AB's same age) has a new infatuation with Annabelle! How funny, and cute, and weird all at the same time! She could just have that magnetic type of a personality, because she literally does make friends no matter where she is. And most of the time, kids flock to her. Again, makes my heart proud.
Lots and lots of pictures...
Playing dress up with her friend Ava
Helping Wyatt light the candles for our Spring Family Birthday Celebration!
Showing their St. Patrick's Day shirts I made them.
A quick pic w/Mama before Wyatt and I went to the Mother/Son dance at his school.
Her real birthday. She wanted the oreo dirt/worm cups!
Checking out her new big girl bike that was hidden in her room!
The princess painted the girls' faces at her birthday party.
The Princess and the Frog cake I made for her!
Annabelle and Princess Tiana
Playing a little duck-duck-goose while the other girls get finished with the face painting!
And, last but not least, a picture Wyatt took of AB in her Cat in the Hat hat!
Love ya, Boodle!!!
