Ive been taking the kids to vote with me since they were both tiny. Mom took me to vote as long as I can remember. It's important to involve children in democracy. They got a sticker that said, "future voter!" BBP felt really important and got to help me cast my ballot by pushing the red button. He declared that O'Romney was going to win. O+R = O'Romney. Pretty creative. Even though our candidate may not have won, the kids were proud to be part of the process and that's what's important.
The kids had so much fun trick or treating. Barnes was a fisherman and Anna Kate was his catch. Last year they were a duck hunter and a duck. Guess we continued our "outdoorsman" theme!
As I type this, Anna Kate, I cannot fathom where the days have gone since we welcomed you into this big world. I remember so much about the time up until you were to be born. I wondered what you would look like, prayed you would be healthy, and thanked God when you were here safely and perfectly created. I remember so much about bringing you home and being so proud of your sweet little face and tiny long fingers. I remember swelling with pride and the purest joy I've ever felt, as I saw your brother love you so deeply from the moment he laid eyes on you. I remember so much...but at the same time I'm over come with sadness that I remember so little of the last two years. Where in the world have the last 700+ days gone? How can you be two already? Each day was special even in the ordinariness of our daily lives.
You have been such a joy, Anna Kate. The spunky little firecracker kind of joy that makes you laugh out loud at all your quirky personality traits. You are sweet and tender but also independent and head strong. You make me want to pull out my hair and at the same time be proud of your willingness to do things for yourself and be interested to learn how to take on anything and think you are big enough to do it!
In the last year you have learned to tell me almost anything you want. You've gone from saying "I that, I that" while you point to what you want, to knowing the words for just about everything.
You speak in 3-5 word sentences and if you don't get a favorable response to what you want, you pull a chair anywhere you are big enough and get exactly the thing you are after.
You love your mommy and I love you so much. You are nuts about your brother and you like to get in the floor and wrestle with him. He calls you the little sumo wrestler and tells you to tackle him. You miss him when we drop him off at school and you ask me constantly to go pick up bubby. You are always so excited and cheer when you see us turning to get in car pool line. The sweetest thing about the two of you is that you need each other so much. You started sharing a room when gammie stayed with us after her surgery, but now you've grown dependent on each other and cry if the other is not in the room at nap time or bed time. Your deep connection with each other began all those months that bubby loved you when you were in my tummy and it is even stronger today.
Your favorite thing to do is play outside. Every day when daddy gets home, he asks what y'all did today. You are the first to speak up and always say, "I play outside!"
The funniest thing you've done this year is name yourself, "cute baby!" from the time you were tiny, I would play peek-a-boo in the mirror with you while I held you in my arms. Anytime we walked by a mirror, I'd say, "look at that cute baby! Where's that cute baby!" we'll apparently it stuck with you. A couple of months ago, Gigi asked what your name was and you looked at her and said, "cute baby!" I have never laughed so hard and you continue to tell everyone your name is cute baby. It reminds me of when I was about 4 and a lady in JC Penney asked me what my name was. I looked at her and said, Willie. For 10 years after, my dad and all his friends called me Willie. I'm glad you chose Cute Baby. It's much better than Willie.
I'm so proud of you my baby girl. You are beautiful on the outside and your personality lets me know that even as a two year old, you know exactly who you are and where you are going. You are determined and independent and ambitious. All the traits you wish for your child to be. Those traits can sure give mommy grey hair...but I have no doubt they will serve you well in this life!
Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby girl. We love you more than any words can convey.
We had Anna Kate's 2nd birthday over the weekend. She was so excited all week every time we asked her who's birthday party was coming up, she'd jump up and down and yell, "ME!!"
We had all the farm animals come to the party. While she like them, she was just a little leary of most of them. She would pet them if I was holding her. She did manage to pick up the turtle and then chunked him down with a loud THUD! I was mortified and worried she had killed the poor thing. That turtle hit the ground running as fast as it could to get away from her!
All in all, it was a sweet party and the kids all had fun walking the animals around the yard. There was a donkey, a cow, chickens, ducks, bunnies, a llama and a poor turtle with a concussion.
Happy Birthday to our spunky firecracker! Life would be dull with out you, Anna Kate!!
Barnes got his first opportunity to play soccer, at camp this summer. He enjoyed it and wanted to play this fall. We were so blessed that he got the greatest coach! Coach Kelly is the daughter of Mr. Jimmy Carmichael, the man we take swimming lessons from. Needless to say, she gets her gift of working with children honestly.
His team was the sundogs! They ran drills for 30 minutes and then scrimmage against their own team for thirty minutes. It's lots of fun to watch and he had a blast. I think he learned some things too.
