Annada Marie Vergo

And all we can find is this dancing horse named “Karin-for-Sharon.”

I took Annada for a walk to the “far away park” today. She walked right up to a butterfly and looked closely at it for almost a minute. She kept saying, “The butterfly likes me.” Then she moved so close to the butterfly that she touched it with her cheek. The butterfly flew off, but Annada didn’t mind. She said, “I need to come back tomorrow to say hello to my new butterfly friend.”

As I made dinner tonight Annada got out some bowls and spoons and cups.

“I’m cooking too. I’m cooking something Daddy will like,” she said.

When it came time to set the table she carefully carried over a bowl of water she had been working on. Then she poured it in a cup.

“I’m eating water soup in a cup!” She exclaimed. You know what they say, when Mom gives you water to drink, make water soup.

Tonight as I was putting Annada to sleep she asked, “What would we do if we were outside and we were tired and hungry, Mommy?”

“I would say, ‘God, we are tired and hungry and we don’t know what to do. Would you please help us?” I replied.

“And then God would rain down BPA free plastic cups!” Annada exclaimed. “I would get a pink one, you would get an orange one and Daddy would get a green one.”

“So we would have cups to drink out of?” I asked.

“Yes. And God would make water come of of a rock and we would capture the water in our cups,” Annada replied.

“So then we would have water to drink,” I said.

“And then God would rain down plastic tables,” Annada said.

“Why plastic?” I asked.

“Because God wants us to be safe,” she replied.

“So we would have cups, water to drink and a table,” I said.

“And God would rain down food, Mommy,” Annada laughed.

“What kind of food Annada?” I asked.

“Cake… and orange juice… and bottles of milk,” she replied.

We let Annada sleep in the hot tub one night (on a nest of the comforter and mattress pad). I think it was the highlight of her week. When she got up – too early – that morning she stood up in the hot tub and softy said, “I love you Mommy” over and over until I woke up.

She also dictated goodbye letters to all the interns. They were so sweet. She remembered things I had forgotten long ago – like playing dress up or swimming in the pool together.

Friday when I picked Annada up from school I went in the back entrance. (There was a birthday party going on and I wasn’t sure where they were letting the kids out.) So Mrs. Kisner (Annada’s teacher) didn’t see me come in. I sat down next to Annada and she gave me a big hug.

Then Annada looked at me and got this strange look in her eye. I couldn’t tell what was coming next. She took and breath and said Mrs. Ceccoli, the school director wanted to talk with me.

Annada had a very serious face on. “Why does she want to talk with me, Annada?” I asked.

Annada broke out into a huge smile, “Mrs. Ceccoli needs to tell you how pretty you are!”

(I double checked with Mrs. Kisner and Mrs. Ceccoli did not want to talk with me. Annada really was teasing me and giving me a compliment at the same time. And melting my heart.)

Annada has been becoming more independent lately. We have been staying at a resort for the YearOne ending retreat. This morning she got out of bed, took off her diaper, went to the bathroom and put undies on “by her whole self” (as she would say it). Then she brushed her teeth – followed by help from us, of course.

She also likes to shower by herself (if there isn’t time for a bath). I just wash her hair.

While a part of me wishes I could freeze her at this age forever, I am also proud of her.

I had a great talk with her teacher about how much we both love Annada. She has grown so much this year. We are very proud of her!

The biggest change in Annada is how she plays with other kids. A balloon man at a restaurant today asked Annada if she is everyone’s spokesperson.

He was joking, but it reminded me how she used to run away from other kids or have trouble getting into the games children her age were playing. She was great with older kids, but shy around kids her own age. Now she makes friends everywhere she goes and other kids seek her out to play with them.

Mrs. Kisner said Annada is extremely emphatic and is the first to help her classmates. Annada’s always been compassionate, but now she has learned when to help and when to step back.

That’s a tough skill! And it shows when I drop her off – the other kids run to give her hugs.

You’ve got to watch the video past the first minute. It takes a while for Annada to get warmed up :).

Getting ready to go! It\’s the first time I\’ve put make-up on Annada.

All ready to go.

Waiting backstage with her class for the show to start.

After the show.

Since her recital Annada has been soaking up ballet. She watched all two hours of the American Ballet Company’s Swan Lake and danced around the living room while watching. Then tonight she asked to watch the Cinderella ballet for our “sleep over night” (a tradition when Daddy is at magic night), so we watched a 30 minute version of the Russian Ballet. She sat still the whole time.

My beautiful ballerina.

The fan club, part 1. The Butchers came to watch and even gave Annada pink flowers.

The fan club, part 2. Most of the YearOners came too. JP made the video – thank you!

Annada with her best friend from church, Abby.

With her teacher, Ms. Briana Hofer.

And a few seconds later… it was very hard for Annada to stay still after the recital. Bunnies jump!

We asked Annada how she wanted to celebrate and she asked to go to Old MacDonald for fries and ice cream. The Butchers came too.

Sunday evening we have dinner with the Butchers. Lately we have been eating outside and tonight Annada wanted to set up her own table.

I took Annada with me to a Julie’s baby shower today. During the shower everyone was asked to give Julie some advice or encouragement.

I asked Annada if she had any advice for Julie. Annada asked me what advice is.

“What do you think makes a good mommy?” I asked Annada.

Annada turned to Julie, “To be a good mommy, do what God tells you,” she said.

Annada asked me to take her picture with this statue outside the library.

When we go to the library Annada makes a huge pile of books from a letter section. (It’s only one section because that is one of the rules I made up.) Then we go through the pile and she says “Yes” or “No”. The No books we put back. The Yes books come home.

If it has a turtle, mermaid or butterfly on the cover it is a Yes book.

Watching dance at Lake Eola. Annada was entranced for 3 hours.

“I am dangerous!” Annada told me. “I have a gun.”

“Oh wow,” I replied.

“I have a gun and I keep it outside,” She returned.

Finally catching on, “A water gun?” I asked.

“Yes. I have a water gun and I am DANGEROUS!”

At Animal Kingdom on a Daddy-Daughter date.

I was giving Annada a bath when Marc came upstairs. So I stepped into the hallway just outside the bathroom to hear about his day. I could see her and hear her as Marc and I talked.

After a few minutes I realized Annada was singing, “I am a poor girl… all aloooooooooone in the baaaath tuuuuub. Just a poooooor girl.”

Watching the giraffes at Animal Kingdom after Brett and Christine caught up with Annada and Marc on their date.

Playing with Jillian at Jack's birthday party.

Annada asked me why Meme has worms for pets tonight. I told her that Meme’s worms make Meme’s flowers happy by giving them things to eat and air to grow into.

Annada lit up and said, “The worms make the flowers happy. The flowers make Meme happy. Meme makes Pepe happy. And Pepe makes Annada happy!”

At Asher's birthday party. Asher is in Annada's preschool class.

I broke Annada’s heart tonight. We have been having an on going debate on if crocodiles are nice or mean. Tonight we were guessing animals and Annada gave me the hint, “I am going to find one and bring it home for a pet.”

I guessed a butterfly and she said, “No, Mommy, a crocodile!”

Living in Florida I was a little concerned she really would find one so I told her we will never have a pet crocodile and if she found one to walk away… not realizing I would crush her dreams.

She literally curled up in the fetal position and cried big silent tears. I didn’t know what to do so I just stroked her hair while she grieved. After a few minutes she said quietly, “kisses please.” So I gave her a bunch of kisses and she just laid in bed until it was time for me to leave. – So sad! –

Last night Annada said, “Most three-year-olds can’t spell their name. But I can spell my name.” Then she laughed with glee.

Smart… and humble too!