Annabelle is 5!

And just like that my baby is FIVE!  She is as independent and strong willed as ever, and she is energetic and outgoing.  She will talk to strangers and loves making new friends.  She loves to sing and dance, do gymnastics, take ballet, and she is looking forward to playing tennis and soccer soon!  She is excited to be heading to Covenant next year!  She weighs 44 pounds (80th percentile) and is 44.75" tall (90th percentile).

A few pictures that I took of her in her birthday dress.



Hoopla and February Fun

We had a super mild February.  The weather was great for Covenant's Hoopla event.  We didn't make it last year, but this year we went and the kids had a lot of fun.

Annabelle and I went to the pep rally that morning.  Here's a pic of Caden sitting with his class and other Explorers and 1st graders.

 

Annabelle enjoyed watching the cheerleaders. 

 

One of the activities that evening was a zipline.  Annabelle didn't want to do it, but here's a pic of Caden.  

Annabelle and Caden climbing through an inflatable obstacle course.  Annabelle loved this, and went through it over and over again. 

Going down the slide at the end of the obstacle course. 

 

The kids decided to clean out their piggy banks.  Annabelle chose to buy a slack line for the front yard.  Caden used his money to buy a soccer goal.  The first goal we received was missing one part, so they shipped us an entire new one, so we now have two soccer goals in our front yard.  Here's Annabelle walking the slack line. 

 

The night that I took all the money out of their piggy banks, Annabelle said, "I want more money!".  To which I said, "Well, you will have to make more."  That night at bedtime, she decided to make more "money".  I went in to get her the next morning, and I found her piggy bank full of her fake money :).

 

Caden had a long weekend for Presidents Day.  Friday we went to the Science Museum.  A selfie outside.

 

Caden "working" in the construction area that he has loved since he was little.

 

Caden and Annabelle both played in the "Farmers Market" area for a long time.

 

Time for a craft.

 

The kids both chose to kick a soccer ball in the sports analysis area.

 

Caden had his 100th Day of School during February.  Here's a pic of his class; front row: Kaylie Bailey, Annie Pattison, Reagan McKay; back row: Owen Jensen, Henry Buja, Maverick Penley, Mikayla Horner, Levi Webb, Andrew Collins, and Caden.

 

Annabelle had another trip to urgent care this month.  She climbed up on the counter in her bathroom, and she accidentally pulled on the curtain, and the rod fell and bonked her on the head.

 

All bandaged up with a little glue and tape. 

 

Her friend from preschool, Lily, had a tea party birthday a few weeks ago.  A reluctant selfie with Mommy.

 

She decorated a crown and a wand. 

 

The girls lined up. 

 

Belle Hartgrove and Annabelle. 



Daddy's Birthday & Valentine's Day

Brian and the kids with a cupcake for Daddy's birthday. 

 

Blowing out his candle.

 

Caden, Mommy, and Tia at Caden's Valentine's Day party at school.  I wasn't able to make the whole party, since I had to pick up Annabelle from school.  Tia came, so Caden would have someone there the whole time.

 

The class playing "Bingo". 

 

One of Annabelle's Valentine's was this puppy mask. 

 

Around Valentine's Day, Caden was instructed to write a letter to anyone.  He chose to write Nana and Papa giving them a birthday suggestion for Annabelle.  He is so thoughtful and such a good big brother.  I love how he signed it, "your grandson". :) 

 

Annabelle as "cupid" at Trader Joe's one day.

 

We went to a play area one Friday morning with a few of Annabelle's friends.  They had so much fun.  Annabelle multitasking on the bike, while looking at an ipad like toy.

 

Annabelle and Cate Purser "teaching". 

 

Annabelle and Hadley Tilger reading. 

 

My second season of tennis has started.  I switched to a different team, but my new partner got a slight injury the day before our opening tournament.  Fortunately, my friend Mel, who was my partner on my team last Fall, was able to play.  We won first place in our grouping!

 

Mel and I after our matches. 

 

 

Annabelle wants to play tennis.  Here she is trying on my tennis visor. 

Basketball and Ballet

Caden has been enjoying this season of basketball.  Brian is the assistant coach, which has been fun.  He has really improved this year.

The team picture.  Front row: Henry Buja, Caden, Shep McFarlane, Press Dunlap.  Back row: Coach Daniel, Luke Baker, Eli Daniel, Cooper Dow, Jax Farrell, and Assistant Coach Brian.

 

 

Caden's best game so far this season came when they played one of the other Covenant teams.  He scored 6 points.  They ended in a tie, which was kind of fun for them.

 

Once a semester, the ballet studio has a "parent observation" week.  So the moms are allowed to sit in the studio to observe class that week.  A circle and a song to start off class.

 

Working on their passe's. 

 

Back to first position. 

All lined up ready to do their grande jete's. 

Annabelle was just a blur.  It was too dark in their to get a picture of her running and jumping over the bean bag pile.  

 

Time for tap shoes. 

 

Annabelle is going to be an "Emerald" in the Spring Recital.  The girls got to try on their costume a few weeks ago. 

 

We pulled my old Strawberry Shortcake dolls out of the attic a few weeks ago.  Annabelle is loving playing with them.  The night we got them out, we lined each doll up and paired each with her pet.

One night I found that she had placed each doll in the splits.   

 

Annabelle has been working on her splits, too.