And Just Like That She's Five

Anna-Isabelle

My dear sweet Anna girl,

Last week you turned five.

People always say "it seems like just yesterday" but man it really does happen in the blink of an eye. It feels like you were just an infant. On your birthday I had lots of memories of your actual birth day - it was such a calm and peaceful experience. You were a wonderfully calm little baby girl and your Dad and Simon and I were so, so excited to welcome you into the world.

These days you're all about all sorts of things.

Just recently you've been asking me all kinds of questions about animals.

"Mama, have you ever seen an alligator?"

"Mama, have you ever seen a whale?"

You are a fish. You love swimming lessons and being in the pool and playing with the other kids in your class.

AE6months
(6 months old in 2009)

You love to color and draw.

You love playing with Barbies and other "people" toys that you can have act out all kinds of stories.

You can often be found singing - both songs you've made up and songs you've heard around here.

Last week you got to travel with Gramma Pati to Seattle to visit cousins and have some special one-on-one time with Grandma. She took you to the American Girl store north of Seattle so you could pick out your very own doll and celebrate your birthday in the restaurant there. You picked Isabelle (the girl of the year for 2014) and it sure looks like you guys are a great match. I love that you got to have this very special experience with your Grandma.

You are growing out your bangs. This means I'm constantly adding a clip to your hair that is usually taken out within a few minutes.

Dresses are still your favorite. You wear a uniform to school everyday and that's made things really simple around here. You almost always choose to wear the jumper.

You love broccoli and roasted brussel sprouts and noodles and rice with soy sauce. And chocolate milk from Costco.

You have a mighty enthusiasm for life.

I love you Anna and I'm so, so thankful you are my daughter.

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37 thoughts

  1. Michelle Kelly says…
    02/18/2014

    Such a beautiful post for a gorgeous girl! Girls are so special and need to be treasured. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Maria says…
    02/18/2014

    Loved to read this letter! Such a sweet girl ♥

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Brooke says…
    02/18/2014

    Just beautiful. Happy birthday to you Anna!

    Is it ok for blog readers to feel like it was yesterday too? I clearly remember reading about your cloth diaper set up.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Michelle t. says…
    02/18/2014

    Beautiful. My daughter's 9, and it still seems like yesterday. Daughters are amazing. Michelle t

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Laura says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy birthday, Anna! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Jennifer K says…
    02/18/2014

    Sweet! They really do grow up so fast. Love her new doll! I was never much into dolls, but those American Girl dolls are wonderful and if I had any girls, I would give them one!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Debbie says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy happy birthday Anna! Love your doll. You could almost be twins.:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Sue P, says…
    02/18/2014

    Lovely tribute to a sweet girl!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Donna M says…
    02/18/2014

    Beautifully written:) I have an Anna too, she's nearly 15. This brought back memories.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Leslie says…
    02/18/2014

    I was at a scrapbooking Convention with you when you just first announced that you were going to have Anna. Don't know why that stuck with me so but it was just such fun news. It really does seem just like yesterday. Happy birthday Anna!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Michelle C says…
    02/18/2014

    Such a sweet post! I could write pretty much the exact same thing for my newly 5 year old daughter. I love this age but it's truly a handful. ;) Happy Belated Birthday Anna!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Lisa W. says…
    02/18/2014

    What a doll baby...she is SO cute!!! Happy Birthday sweet Anna girl! Lovely post!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Michelle says…
    02/18/2014

    5 is magical. Thanks Ali for sharing this beautiful letter to your sweet Anna x

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. C.Robin says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy Birthday Anna, Ali she is beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. JenC says…
    02/18/2014

    This is beautiful Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Marti Richards says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy Birthday to Anna! I said the same thing when my girl turned 5 in November. Thankfully I have taken a million pictures to prove that she really was a baby b/c I would not have believed it otherwise!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Mary R says…
    02/18/2014

    I still remember trying to guess what her name would be years ago. She is darling Ali and you are blessed indeed.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. susan says…
    02/18/2014

    Your words are like strawberries and cream, just delightful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Stacy says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy birthday, Anna!! My girl loves AG dolls too!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. CJ says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy Birthday Anna. It makes me realise how long I've been following your blog - longer than five years for sure. My littlest boy is five, such a happy age I think, he is always so full of love for life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Amelia Woodbridge says…
    02/18/2014

    Roasted brussel sprouts? Go Anna!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. rhonda nickol says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy 5th Birthday Anna!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Christin Dukes says…
    02/18/2014

    Wow! It seems like you were just posting you were pregnant. She has grown into a beautiful little girl and 5 is such an awesome age! Enjoy it because before you know it she will be 16!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Leslie S. says…
    02/18/2014

    Happy Birthday Anna! She is so cute!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Teresa Igo says…
    02/18/2014

    ♫♫♫ Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday to you,
    Happy Birthday Sweet Anna,
    Happy Birthday to you! ♫♫♫

    Reply 0 Replies

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