I'll be frank, I think Valentine's Day is a bit silly, and certainly is not a happy anything for many people. I'd rather have surprise flowers on a rainy April day, or chocolates during an impromptu stop at my favorite chocolatier downtown. And love notes are more meaningful when they happen out of a compulsion to express one's emotions, rather than because marketers flood store shelves with pre-packaged sentiment. However….Valentine's Day is wonderful to a child. Making cards for friends, decorating a "mail box" for class parties, sweet treats to share. I remember it well. Anna has enjoyed every card she has received, and even more, every one she has given. Her hands are as colorful as stained glass, as she has broken out every marker to decorate cards for her friends. We also had Doctor Who Valentine's printed, which was fun. It's a privilege to be a parent to a child like Anna. That's what Valentine's Day means to us.
Since it's been a while since I've logged in, here are some highlights.
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| For Anna's birthday party, she and her friends made confections at Hazel Hill Chocolate. |
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| Monopoly, National Parks Edition with GrandDad and Nana. |
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"The Wizard of Oz" musical at Starlight Theatre.
It was Girl Scout night, so Anna brought her friend, Katelyn.
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| King Tut exhibit at Union Station. |
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| School's Out for Summer! |
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| Ballet recital. |
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| Petaluma, CA |
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| Vacation! |
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| Seal-spotting on the Pacific. |
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| Happy Independence Day! |
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Anna was in her first real stage performance, "The Little Mermaid".
Posing with new friends "Sebastian" and "Scuttle". |
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| Anna (and Alex) were chosen out of the audience to help at BuskerFest. |
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| Back to School |
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Took a long weekend trip to Eureka Springs with a side trip to
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. |
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| Feeling the love - Crystal Bridges |
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| Family |
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| Ready for a ride around the lake. |
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| Anna with her mermaid kin at the Renaissance Festival. |
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Anna takes her rightful place on the Throne of Swords
Renaissance Festival |
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| Annual Farm Tour - a favorite tradition! |
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| Shenanigans at our annual Soup Party - Giant Jenga! |
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| Silents in the Cathedral - Another favorite fall tradition! |
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| Anna realized her dream of being a Dalek for Halloween. EXTERMINATE! |
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| Dias de los Muertos festival |
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| Anna completes her first 5K. |
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| Making gingerbread houses at the Performing Arts Center. |
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| Snuggles. |
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| Just a second, Santa. Your elves are texting me. |
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| Anna trying out her new golf clubs. |
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| Our Brownie. |
Thanks for being part of our year and our lives!
