new year snapshot #3: ana marie

I don't know what to say about this girl. If I were to describe Ana in one word it would be "dichotomous."

She is compassionate and careless.

She loves to help and doesn't like to work.

She adores her baby sister, and is annoyed by her brother.

She is enthusiastic and dramatic.

She is full of big ideas and unrealistic expectations.

As always, she is a super problem-solver. (Sometimes solving problems that don't exist.)

She still has not grown out of her "why" phase that she started 3 years ago.

She is always full of new challenges and new joys. But having a school-kid is fun!

Ana loves kindergarten! She is motivated by friends and art projects - both of which are in ample supply at school.

She wants to wear skirts + leggings every day to school. She has put holes in - count them - 7 pairs of leggings since school started.

I love that Ana wants to draw pictures and write letters for her friends. I spell no less than 3,842 words aloud for her each day.

I love that she wants to learn to play the piano.

I love that she and her friends are starting to put on little shows. I remember doing that.

Every once in a while, she tells us she wants to be called "Marie."

On Monday I told her I would miss her while she was at school and she said, "Mom, we've been together for a few weeks, I think we need to spend some time apart."

She says "like" in her sentences. which makes her sound like a teenager.

She has grown up so much in the last year. I loved having her home last week. She brings life and spirit into our home.