All About Anna

Anna is about to enter 5th grade in the fall. Growing up happens all to quickly! 4th grade has treated Anna well, as she has my absolute most favorite teacher at the elementary school. To say that she is passionate about teaching is an understatement (kids at the school complain that she cries when she reads books to them). Anna fills our dinner table with all the many things she has learned throughout the day. I am constantly amazed at how Anna's teacher motivates the kids to thirst for knowledge (an answer to prayer).

And, what is there to know about Anna? Well, let's see...

1. Anna just finished performing in her first play. She is definitely our drama/music queen, and she dipped her toes in it this week. Missoula Theater (from Montana) came to Murray and held tryouts and had a week of rehearsals for the play Treasure Island. We were able to see the play on Friday night (they performed 4 times), and the three younger kids (anna included) are still singing the catchy songs from the play. When I asked Anna whether she would want to try out for The Wizard of Oz (the summer play for Murray), or join track Club this summer, she emphatically chose track, as that is her sport of choice right now. We were quite pleased, as play practices took up 4 nights a week, and track doesn't take up as much time during the week.

2. Anna has starting to understand the benefits of being a "middle girl" in the family. She is old enough to have a good relationship with Sarah-she is Sarah's photographer for her blog pictures, and is the companion Sarah wants when her friends aren't around. And, on the flip side, Anna is that same figure to Alice, and Anna enjoys all the privileges of being the oldest in a sibling relationship...the pecking order. Anna takes good care of Alice, and Alice is a willing subject for Anna. Alice obeys and plays the pecking order game very well with Anna. It makes for a very neat and tidy relatiohship-most of the time.
3. Anna LOVES babies right now...especially those cute twin cousins of hers! She was tempted to write them letters the other day, even though she knew they couldn't read yet. Anna's favorite car has always been a PT Cruiser, and she has informed us that she will have as many kids as will fit in that car when she gets to be a Mom...I think those twins have changed her mind a bit, and that she could maybe change her favorite car to be one that fits more kids in it!

4. Anna earned the prestigious "Clove Award" at the end of the school year. One boy and girl from each 4th-6th grade class get chosen as special honorees. They attend a breakfast at the school with their parents. The teachers share a synopsis of why they chose the particular pupils, and are presented with a $50 savings bond and a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card. It was so fun to spend that individual time with Anna, honoring her for the year's accomplishments in school.