HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE....

Annie's birthday was October 23rd. I've started printing out pictures of them from birth through the age they are turning and line the walls from their room, down the stairs into the kitchen. It's fun to listen to them asking who that baby is and then remind them that they are all pictures of Annie. The festivities started with donuts in her classroom and then donuts for soccer practice.
In our family we alternate each year friend, then family party. This year was a friend party and Annie has been talking about since her birthday last year. Also, we are moving in February, so I let her invite anyone and everyone she wanted. As it turns out we invited 16 girls and 14 of them came. So, I had 17 girls at my house for the party. I thought it was going to be CRAZY!!! However, it turned out really well. Kurt was out of town, so I had two of my good friends stay and help. We did a pajama party (7:30-10:00pm), since I don't let my kids do sleep overs...I broke the girls up into three groups and had a nail station, hair station and make-up station. They loved it and everyone looked fabulous at the end. Then we did a dance party upstairs with the strobe light. I am sure my neighbors were wondering what in the world was going on. After we came down stairs to sing happy birthday and open presents. Annie does not like cake, which I am so grateful for. I never have to worry about making a "cute" cake for her. Instead, we did an ice cream bar with vanilla and chocolate ice cream and she picked out about 9 different toppings she wanted to use, plus hot fudge, strawberry syrup and caramel. It was perfect!! She got some great presents and thankfully, not a bunch of toys. I was quite impressed with the things she got. She has a lot of really great friends and I was so glad I could do this for her. However, I told her we would not have such a big party next time...we'll have to make the list about 1/2 the size.












Annie is such a great girl. She is very obedient and always does what I ask of her. She loved to have special time either Kurt or I. She loves school and is doing very well. Her reading is really starting to come along now and it's so exciting to see her progress so much. She loves math, so I told her that she's definitely my child then. She makes friends very easily...of all ages. She had girls at her party her were younger than her and ones that were a few years older too. She's starting to get a little sass to her, more like annoyance in her tone of voice, which makes me worry about how I talk! She likes to think she's the funny one in our family and make her sisters laugh by doing "silly" things....like snorting when she laughs or telling knock knock jokes. Often times, she reminds me of my little sister because she can be such a nerd (cute, though). She is loving soccer and doing really well this year. I will be so sad when we leave because we've been with the same group of girls for 2 1/2 years now and I just love the families we've met and become friends with. Annie likes to play defense, which is also like me. She's not in the action all the time because she likes to play close to the goal and keep it out of there...or to stop the girls who's on a fast break. We just have to work with her kick....she likes to jump and do a little of a butterfly kick in the air:) She loves to sit on our laps or really close to us. Unfortunately, it can be a bit crazy because she is the biggest wiggle worm ever and has a really boney bum, so not so comfortable when she's sitting on you! She is very helpful with her sisters and is so kind to them. She is such a blessing to have in our home and I am so excited to continue to watch her grow...she is such a beautiful little girl.