Anna's 4th of July 2010

Hello there ANNA,

This year, the carnival came to town and you went all out with your cousins Bootz and Melila. I wish you could play with them everyday, but you seem to make up for lost times with no problem at all. Your favorite rides were the ferris wheel, the roller coaster, the bumble bee ride, the fun place with all the weird mirrors and the big wheel that kept on turning which made it pretty difficult for you to cross. :) Cotton candy, pizza, fancy drinks, and big huge hammers were just a few things you consumed or played around with. The fireworks at the end of the night was none other than the best. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and hope you remember these times with your family around you. My mother used to say to me, "your family is your best friends, Nancy. Remember that". So I find myself saying the same thing to you, Anna. Your best friends are your family members. Always remember that, Anna. And you will never be alone in this great big world. That and you can be anything, do anything if you just apply yourself and never give up. I love you my love.

Love, Mama.

Hello My Love!

I knitted this hat for you, but I didn't know it was going to be for an "adult" head! bwah! Today is Tuesday and when I went to wake you up this morning, you said "mama, this is my most favorite day!" I asked why, and you replied "because I can spend my points to get something from school, and soccer practice!" COOL! :D

I want to tell you how proud I am for the fine work you put forth. You have so much potential Anna. So much to offer, and so much to "give". Always remember to be of service to others, be honest in all you do, and I promise this, your life will overflow with love and happiness.

Do you know what is the best time of my day? :) That's right. "RIGHT NOW" :) because you're right here with me.

Love, Mama

Spring 2010 Vacation---TN, LA, MS, AL, and FL

Just thought of adding some of my favorite photos of our Spring Vacation down South! It was so much fun, not to mention our riding in First Class! woo hoo! Talk about being LUCKY! Remember the koi fish we saw next to the Starbucks in Florida? Or how about having dinner at Bimini Bob's Restaurant in Daphne, Alabama! And the white sand beaches in Seaside, Florida and grabbing those seashells you love so much?! And grabbing your souvenir from the shop while Tata was checking us in at the SanDestin Hotel and Resort?! That palm tree necklace is the prettiest one I've ever seen. You sure know how to choose the coolest souvenir, don't you?!

I'll have to post more pictures later but I just wanted to recall some of the fun things we did on our trip. I think Tata and I really enjoyed the dinner in Florida where you ate almost all of the raw fish! We laughed so hard because you don't eat fish, remember? We laughed so hard just watching you chow down on all of it and thinking, you NEVER eat fish, but you will eat it raw? Now, that's a true Hawaiian if you ask me. :)

I think you'll agree seeing the alligators in Alabama was cool too! Or how about grabbing those fancy mardi gras masks in New Orleans, Louisiana? You love to swim. You love beaches, pools, anything with water. It was so hard to get you to go when it was getting dark. You even loved the pool in Florida that was in our sandestin resort, you know, the one with the dolphins?

Well, this much I know. I LOVE VACATIONS WITH US 3! It's so much FUN! I can't wait for the next one. I wonder where we will go next. Any ideas? :D

I love you my love!

love, Mama

A Poem Made Especially in New Orleans....

The Red and White Delight

Three spoons please is all it'll take

To make our tummys quit with ache.

We three grab and tub and pull

For this little delectable is much too cool!

Shiny glazed strawberries galore

I implore to "Give Me MORE!"

Creamy white topping with powdered sugar

Makes this delight an irresistable flavor

A cake a biscuit I can't quite decide

But we three know our desire to try

So Mama and Tata and I take a stare

Just before we devour this enticing glare!

YUM! Strawberry Shortcake in New Orleans at the Palace Cafe' April 2010.

A POEM FOR ANNA

Colored cotton candy clouds

dance for me I beg you now.

staring out the plane I see,

a rabbit running beckons me.

open wide and come inside,

less you be consumed by the upside down chicken that lay beside.

Yes, an upside chicken Anna dare she say,

up, up, up, high above the clouds I think I'll stay.

for it's colored cotton candy clouds I see,

now won't you join me in my creed.

A- is for "always" making me smile.

N- is for "neverending" that's the amount of love I see in you.

N- is for "nestling" with me. I can never get enough of it! :D

A- is for "allowing" me to be your mother. I must've done something good to deserve you my love.

We had parent teacher meeting with you. You're in 1st grade and Mrs. Kilmer says your reading level is 9 points shy of completing a 3rd graders level. That's fantastic my love. Teacher says you're very charming, loving, and friendly. Your math needs some work but we will get on it, I have no doubt, because like I said "you are very intelligent" and I know you can be anything in this life. Mrs. Kilmer says "Anna, you will have many opportunities to be anything you want because your parents care about you.

You love when I read a book to you at night before bedtime. Tonight we read about a boy who took his sister with him near a river to fish and play. He said he had a feeling that he should tell his parents but thought they were too busy to be told. Later he found out that even though they had fun, they were in danger. He learned also that he should always listen to his parents because they know what's best. Always remember to talk to us. Mama and Tata love you every single day and want you to be safe and happy. Be good my love, as you always have. I'm so proud of you and all that you do.

Have a wonderful day at school tomorrow. And do your best. :)

love,

Mama

Well, here's a funny one about you. Just last night, you took a shower on your own as usual, and I was doing the last minute laundry and folding. Well, you came over to me in an apologetic tone, hands around my leg. "Mama, I'm so sorry, please don't be upset with me". While I'm folding the clothes, Tata is sitting on the bed. You have our attention now. I calmly say "what did you do?" and you say "promise not to be mad at me?" I said "just tell me Anna." Suddenly, you show me your thumb. it was cut. I asked, "what happened?" and you said in a quiet, almost in tears voice "I used your shaver". :D Tata and I dropped what we were doing and I stayed calm while your Tata started to laugh. You began to cry even more. I laughed inside so hard, it was hillarious! You asked if you were going to die and I said no. :P I think you learned your lesson. But here's the best part. I asked, Anna, where did you shave? and you said so innocently and serious "on my arms". I looked at your arm and there was ONE STREAK going all the way up your arm. We laughed sooooooo hard, it was HILLARIOUS! Of course, you didn't feel the same. It's not like you have a lot of hair, but there was a faint line up your arms. I still can't stop laughing over the thought! But you won't let me take a pic! lol I love you!