Letters!

Oh the joy of putting letters together!

Eagle eyes.

On a messy aisle of a hundred clearanced costumes, only you could spot this one hiding as we walked by. Now I just wonder if you'll ever take it off.

"Hey! That thing has my flat squirrel!"

(Flat squirrel you found in front of our house one year ago and haven't brought up since.)

What little girls are made of.

a.) 101 Dalmations incited an obsession for your very own, "real" Dalmation that will sleep in your room at night. Trudy has resisted all attempts of your re-training her to sleep with you. You are toying with the idea of dressing as Cruella DeVille on the 31st.

b.) You keep coming back to dressing as a firetruck for Halloween, not a fireman - a firetruck.

c.) Fall has you tweaked. You love decorating with leaves, taking pictures of leaves, watching them fall and raking them up and jumping in.

d.) Hattie the Cattie inaugurated your adoration of cats.

e.) Alligators rule. You asked for one for your birthday, didn't get it, so now you've put in on your Christmas list. These road signs in Florida cracked you up.

f.) You love music, listen to nearly all kinds, and ask that we please put in on your ipod. Since you've seen the Nano comes in green, that's on your list, too.

g.) After finding a Ninja Turtle book in the bookstore, you are OBSESSED. You ask everyone to call you Raphael, and must inspect every sewer grate to make sure they're not visible. You've told a lot of confused strangers you want to live in the sewer.

h.) You are fascinated with writing letters, specifically "N I N J A".

i.) Moe, our wet dry vac continues to be babied by you.

j.) Somewhere, somehow ballet finally appealed to you. You are begging, not for lessons, but for a stage.

k.) Jack o lantern's are pretty cool now. I've been drawing happy lanterns, but you've recently decided you prefer scary faces.

Wedding dress: check!

The bride wore green.

It's the new stupid. Ever since the household embargo on 'stupid', a lot of things get described as "stupendous." Especially if she's mad.

Never Met a Stranger.

I'm at the craft store checking out and turn to find you are not behind me. I realize you are in the next line over talking with another lady. She's smiling and says, "Oh my, well thank you very much." The lady then looks at me and says, "She just said 'Your blouse is gorgeous." [Big surprise, it was green.]

Reminds me of church Sunday, we're walking down the hall behind a mom carrying a newborn. You say to me, "Mom, can I tell that lady I like her baby?" and you did just that.

Rhyme time.

Rhyming is a fun game around the house lately. It started with these silly names for your pet turtles: Pert, Mert, and Gert. It got really goofy as we added more turtles, Shirt, Hurt and Dirt. Most recently, a neighborhood cat adopted our yard and when you decided to name her, I assume Dr. Suess helped out here, too; we now care for Hat the Cat, who 's name has evolved into Hattie the Cattie.

But the concept doesn't always translate, and you've had a couple that crack us up. For instance, when you saw the Statue of Liberty one time, you asked, "Hey! That's the Statue of Liberty! ... And it rhymes with my friend Liberty!"

And while working on your USA puzzle, you held up Tennessee and said, "Hey! Tennessee! That rhymes with tennis!"

School Days.

The first three weeks have gone by without a hitch. The early mornings I once feared have evolved into a special morning ritual. Amazingly, you began - the first day - waking up all by yourself around 7am. Unbelievable, since up until then you were sleeping in until at least 9am! You are the sweetest alarm clock. You brave the stairs and climb into bed with us, asking for my hand as we cuddle for a good half hour interrupted only by some tickle giggles when we're (make that me) finally ready to move out to the couch for some "Dinosaur Train" and breakfast. You love your dresses and cheerfully dress yourself before slipping on your turtle pack-pack.

When your teacher fetches you from the car, you blow me a kiss and even once offered the sentiment, "It won't be a long time, mom." I watch you, with your teacher, hand in hand, walk back to class and always crack up to see you start in immediately chatting with her.

Picking you up is even more fun, as you are quick to unpack your turtle to show off the coolest art projects. I've been waiting a long time to cover our fridge in your artwork! Do you know before you could even hold a crayon, I'd dip your hands in ink and make fingerprint art with you. Your artwork makes me happy.

The funniest experience so far would have to be your refusal to participate in "P" week. Since "B" is your favorite, you told your teacher "No thank you" and drew an extra circle on your practice "P's" giving them "B" makeovers.

You are an original.

Photo inspiration: Blonde

For several months, the topic of death has been an ongoing subject in our home. It started with the endless cadre of wimpy goldfish, then after moving on to turtles, we learned they apparently lack immune systems, as well.

Initially, you were saddened by this constant loss of life in our home so I did what was expected. I explained they were happy as ever now that they were in heaven with God. Which led to, where is heaven? Is it in the dirt? . . .

Well, it's sort of where God lives. [Trying desperately to avoid pointing to the clouds]

But doesn't He live in my heart?

Uh, yeah, but heaven is also considered God's home, too. He lives everywhere, you know?

Does he live in my tummy, too?

Um, well, yes. Sure! He lives in your tummy, too.

Very long, puzzled pause . . . then, sheer excitement swept your face:

Is there a turtle in my tummy?!

Learning How to Pray.

We've been overhearing you pray independently quite a bit lately. For instance, you thought you lost your special turtle necklace daddy gave you, but after days of searching you finally found it and completely on your own you closed your eyes and said, "Thank you Jesus for helping find my turtle necklace. I love it SO much. He helped me find it mommy!"

And when you received a little stuffed turtle as a treat for a great first day of preschool, I saw you in the rear view mirror, your little eyebrows raised high and big eyes closed, "Thank you for my turtle God!"

You are also learning a lot about God's ability to comfort us when we are in pain. When I bumped a bruise on my knee, you saw me wince and sit down in pain. You hurried to my side and said, "It's okay mommy, Jesus can help you feel better. I can pray for you ... " and you did just that.

Literal world of preschoolers.

You asked our waitress her name last night, and she told you, "Mary."

You lit up and exclaimed, "Mary?! Do you have a lamb?"

Mary, somewhat densely replied that, no, she didn't have a lamb.

"We gotta buy her a lamb, mom!"

After the turtles ...

We've set a bad pet-keeping precedent with you. Every time a pet has died, we've quickly replaced it with a new one.

So one Saturday, as we're exploring your favorite little reptile shop, you asked what I should've expected but didn't:

Mom, when our turtles die can we get an alligator?!

First Joke.

Thanks to your Aunt Manda, you've now learned your first joke. "What kind of a phone does a turtle use?" - "A shell phone!" Only to hear you tell it is so much funnier. Whenever we're in public, you usually try it out on complete strangers. Your version goes something like this:

Anna: What kind of a turtle, no what kind turt - no, what kind of a, wait, what is it mom?" Oh yeah, what kind of a phone does a turtle have?"

Complete stranger: "Um, I have no idea."

Anna: Laughing hysterically, "A CELL PHONE! Ha Ha Ha Ha!"

Me: "Uh, honey? It's actually a "shell phone," remember?"

Anna: "Oh, yeah! (still giggling) A shell phone! Isn't it funny? Do I crack you up?"

States and countries are so exciting to you. Whenever you see a map you ask, where is Pennsylbania now?

You have an impressive handle on Texas, Florida, Virginga and Pennsylbania thanks to all our trips to see family and friends. New York, Braska and Michigan also thrill you, but that's because all of those states generally have fun illustrations: the Statue of Liberty, a yummy ear of corn and best of all, a red car zooming out of Detroit.

You may think I'm exaggerating about this, but listen to the prayer you prayed last night at the dinner table:

Thank you God for all the things and all the people in all the countries and all the states. 'Cause I just love them all.

Now let's go see all those countries, shall we?

Darndest things.

You've got this new little expression we've been hearing a lot of the past week. When you saw a Lady and the Tramp coffee cup in grammy's cupboard, from across her kitchen you said, "HOW CUTE IS THIS!"

Who's cupboard do ya think that mug is in, now?

Planning for the Chapel.

Me: Whatchya doing Anna?

AGC: Getting ready.

Me: For what?

AGC: My marry. I'm gonna get married.

Me: You are? Are you going to have a wedding?

AGC: Yes.

Me: And who are you going to marry?

AGC: Umm... Grandpa.

Me: Oh. And are you going to wear a white dress?

AGC: No silly. It'll be green.

We don't encourage violence. Honestly.

I wish daddy was here. He could fight all those bad people.

That's what you said as we quietly waited at a stop light and you stared at the "scary house" on the hill.

A divine o-nine summer.

1. Lady and the Tramp: "I wish I could get into the tv and carry her up the steps."
2. Ladybugs: Here to stay.
3. Turtles: Oh my. Turtles are the new ladybug.
4. Moths: They will do in the absence of a butterfly. You collect these in your bugcatcher and bring them to your room for the night.
5. Ducks: Since Daddy rescued "Ducklin," add ducks to the ladybug, turtle list. ["Your an Eggo daddy!" meant dad is an animal rescuer like Diego]
6. Praying Mantis: One more to add to the list.
7. It's so important to you to identify the places where your favorite people live, whenever you see a map.
8. Afghan: You talked Gigi into making you a green one for your birthday. It's still your favorite color.
9. Anytime you feel the slightest bit of a breeze you dash to find your kite and sneakers.
10. Pretending to be on the radio, you and dad are quite the hams.
11. Playing in the sand is a favorite pastime.
12. You've given your radio flyer scooter a much cooler name: scooterator. I have no idea how it came to be, but it's the only name you will call it.
13. The Mars Rover fascinates you, you believe he is actually a dog.
14. When you see a Volvo semi you light up, "It's a fuge Beulah!"
15. Nose plugs for the pool have been more appropriately named 'nose goggles' by you.
16. Any hilly road, quick turn or theme park ride is referred to as "slippy," as in "slippy ride" or "gives you a slippy tummy."
17. Since the visit to GiGi's, you love collecting hotel soap. She graciously offered her collection to you and you continue to guard it.
18. During Toy Story today you asked, "Mommy? How do we get our toys to talk when we go downstairs?"

How to eat a doughnut.

Date night with daddy.

It was date night for you and dad tonight. You came down from your room, having shed your usual attire - generally green from head to toe or a bathing suit - in exchange for a flower headband, high heeled-clicky shoes, a ton of jewel-lee, and some lipstick. You were excited to explain you were all ready for date night, "just like mommy." I figured out you were used to seeing me get dressed up for date nights with dad and it was time you did the same. Dad reported you had a very special time alone at the movie "Up."

Swimming with Memphis

Baby Memphis is the first baby (finally) you've ever taken to. I suspect that prior to Memphis moving in next door, you weren't too fond of someone else getting more attention than you. Then all of the sudden, you meet Memphis and decide he's the next coolest thing to ladybugs and Buzz Lightyear. I noticed recently that when you talk about him you use the pronoun "she." I explained that Memphis was a "he," a little boy. You got a faraway look in your eyes, thought for a minute and said, "I'm just gonna call him a she." Even after he's grown, I can imagine you'll still be calling him baby Memphis.

Overheard from the backseat:

"Oh no! The flowers. They're dying!"

Good night, Annie.

"Night night, mommy.
Oh! Mommy!?"

"Yes?"

"Try not to bonk daddy on the head.
Only I can do that."

Wormins.

You discovered worms this week. Their slime did not deter you, you collected at least a dozen and giggled as they crawled in your hands. They vacationed in our kitchen for a couple of days.

Trudy discovered something this week, as well. A beautiful and patient mama dove and nest in our gutter.

I've noticed whenever you take any creature into your care, the first thing you offer them is food. In mama bird's case, you asked me "What do birds eat?' When I explained 'worms and birdseed,' you immediately thought of the slippery guys in the backyard.

So today we deputized you as our Backyard Sheriff. You've been keeping the closest eye on the birdfeeder - making sure it remains full luring hungry birds off the ground. And if you do see a curious bird on the ground poking around, you yell, "Shoot! Shoot! Shoot, bird, shoot!" and report "I shooted the bird, mom" although I'm pretty sure you mean to say 'shoe,' since we don't advocate shooting birds in our home - literally or proverbially.

Call me Blob, please.

This week, we went to see Monsters vs. Aliens. That's where you were introduced to your newest imaginary friend, Bob the Blob. He joined us for lunch downtown yesterday, and accompanied you to your Sunday School class today. Your artwork was also a pretty easy find on the bulletin board.
According to you, he's great at wearing his seat belt, is nice to the other kids and requested jell-o for dinner tonight. It's chilling in the fridge.

The best part of the movie had to be after a particularly loud and raucous scene, so loud in fact the seats vibrated. Your huge eyes looked up at me, "Whoa! That was loud! I heard it on my butt!"

Is your little guy wearing a hat, Anna?

"Yes." It's the peanut guy!"

Oh.

Your advice to Dad.

"Bye Dad! I love you! Have a good day at office.

... Don't knock anything over!"

Photo :: AnnaCam

AG: "Where are you going, mom?"

Me: "To take a shower."

AG: "Oh. Why?"

Me: "Well, because I want to get clean."

AG: "Oh. You're just kinda of stinky? And dirty?"

Me: "Um yeah."

AG: "Okay. . . . I hope you get real clean."

Archie.

Last night, you surprised me with this drawing of Archie. I'm not sure which one of us was more proud.