How is it possible...

How is it possible that I seem to have less time than I did when Anna was so small and needed us to do everything for her?  Maybe it's the later bedtime.  She is the most lovely soul, I must say.  Like sunshine shoots out of her pores.  She radiates happiness.  She is a gift to the world.  Of course, I'm her mother, so in full disclosure, my opinion of her is pretty biased.

So, to capture this world spinning wildly upon which she sits, here are some photos to catch you all up on this wonder of a girl.

Anna and Baxter are buddies. We couldn't have wished for a better cat.

Anna did a 3-week session of theater tech camp last year and again this summer.
She can design costumes, paint sets, run spotlights, light boards and sound boards.

Summer of 2016, Anna played an orphan in "Annie, Jr." at our civic theater.

You're never fully dressed without a smile!

Annual Kaw Valley Farm tour

Anna won her school's STEM fair.  Her project was a comparison of positive
and negative outcomes from kids using creative video games such as Minecraft.

Anna was Sacagawea for Halloween

Bike trip on the Katy Trail in October.  Anna did 30 miles in one day!

Anna participated in Girls on the Run and ran her first 5K in November

Anna played the role of Fiddlesticks the Elf in "Dear, Santa" at Helen Hocker theatre.

Anna has begun climbing and bouldering at indoor gyms.

Valentine's Day box for school - Anna and Dad made a Tardis. 

Anna got her own kayak this spring!

Anna completed her first ever mountain bike race in April.

Anna broke her wrist the same day as the mountain bike race (in an unrelated incident).
 3 weeks of green, 3 weeks of orange - her choice of colors.

This girl turned 11!

Only one more year of elementary school to go.

Trying out her Gladiator skills, Anna has fun at the Pompeii exhibit at Union Station.

Buskerfest!  Anna meets her idol, Mama Lou Strong Woman.

Making her own art at the local art fair. 

We took a trip with friends on the Buffalo River in Arkansas this June.

Anna the Adventurer

In June, Anna had her first recital with her new dance company.

Magical trip to Minnesota to visit our friends' cabin over the 4th of July weekend.

Sunset at the campfire

Back to school shopping. Get ready for 6th grade!

As the summer winds down, we have so much ahead to look forward to.  Auditions for plays, starting school orchestra, adding tap to her dance repertoire, helping with the community theater's haunted house, and our many family adventures and traditions.  Life is good with this girl.