As always, December marked the return of Tinta the elf. And this year he was crazier than ever. Towards the end of the month, Anna
recommended we take all the tape out of the house so he couldn't get
into anymore sticky situations.
I think this was one of his better hiding spots this year.
Is there anything more fun to attend than a preschool holiday concert?? Ok, rhetorical question. However,when it's your kid, it can be pretty entertaining. Such was the case with Anna's school performance this year. Anna is an enthusiastic performer, and especially loves to dance.
As of now, she says she is going to be a "singing star" when she grows up. Which is nice for Jason and I because we don't need to worry about a college fund for her...or saving for our retirement because I'm pretty sure having a superstar singer for a daughter will pay off (as long as we don't become overbearing or spill her baby pics to the tabloids. Might need to take the blog down if she hits it big...)
I digress. Back to the school concert. Anna was dolled up for the big gig in her Christmas finery, and she put on a good show. Here's a video of her - middle front row, rocking the songs and choreography.
Ready for the show.
So, not part of the performance, but Santa did make a visit to her class.
The Christmas performing continued with caroling at a retirement home.
Somebody is 5. It can't be Anna. She's just a baby, my baby!! But, yes, it is her! I'll say all the trite stuff (but it's true!)...where did the time go? Five years in the blink of an eye. My sweet, silly, kooky, (occasionally) moody, spirited, strong-willed, smart, beautiful little girl. I can't believe you are 5. That's half a decade! What a great 5 years it has been. Mama loves you, Sunshine, Bear, Banana. Happy birthday sweet girl.
On the big day.
Celebrating at school, with special guest baby brother.
Art party!
Purple & pink cake - requested, fulfilled.
Elves, princesses and ponies - you can never trust a group like that.
One of Anna's favorite parts of school is Spanish. Each day her class spends 30 minutes with their beloved Ms. Marta, learning letters, numbers, singing songs, and, from what I gather, just plain having fun.
Ms. Marta loves everything smiley face and doles out stickers, erasers and trinkets with the theme. She also has a "mascot," Carita Feliz, ("happy face"), who is sent home with a different student each weekend. Having Carita Feliz is a "big" responsibility - he has a journal you have to update at the end of your time with him, detailing what he did while with your family (always homework for the parents! ;).
Anna was over the moon when Ms. Marta chose her to watch Carita Feliz over Thanksgiving break - a full 10 days!!
Carita Feliz accompanied us on our trip down to Florida, and he was the best behaved person in the back seat (namely because he didn't throw up, which put him head and shoulders above his back seat companions).
Anna lugged Carita Feliz everywhere - playgrounds, stores, gramma's pool, butterfly world - and he even helped set the Thanksgiving dinner table and trim the Christmas tree.
Phew, what a muy bueno time he had with us!
