Annada Marie Vergo

Today we celebrated Annada turning 4 with her neighborhood friends. It’s the first of three parties (neighborhood, family and school friends). I’m overcompensating pretty determined that being a December baby won’t leave her feeling uncelebrated.

Annada greeted all her guests with balloons for the games.

We started with Marc making balloon hats and then leading some balloon games. He was awesome. This is where having a dad who is professional performer and has his own sound system pays off. He had the kids run through an obstacle course then throw a balloon spear through a loop. As they did the sound system made sounds to show the kids were charging the music and then set off an alarm when the charge was done – kicking off a dance party.

Going through the obstacle course.

Then we had dinner (Annada’s favorites: Mac n cheese, lasagna, watermelon, carrots and ranch) and cake. Before eating, one of the girls asked if she could use the microphone to say something to Annada. She talked about how much she loves Annada. Which set off all 16 kids wanting to tell Annada something they liked about her or that they loved her. Annada seemed pretty interested in the cake, but it was my favorite moment!

Last were Annada’s two favorite parts: the mythical piñata and presents. Annada had asked for two things at her party, dancing and a piñata. Annada picked out a pirate piñata.

I suspected the piñata was not going to be smashed when she started sleeping with it. Then Annada started bargaining – maybe we could hit it gently? Hold it up so high no one could reach it?

So today the piñata stayed safely at home and Marc threw candy out. They we let Annada eat every piece she collected. I don’t think she thought we would really let her do it because she hid in the corner of the pool away from everyone else and ate it all as fast as she could. When I asked her at bed what her favorite part of the day was she told me, “Eating every piece of my candy!”

Singing Happy Birthday – in English and Spanish, of course! Marc tried to get everyone to sing in German but it didn’t work ;).

Annada’s presents were art supplies and princess stuff – her friends know her well. Plus one extremely cute tutu outfit. Pretty much every present came with a handmade card. Some of the girls had even gotten together yesterday and had a card making party for today.

Marc and I high fived on the way home as Annada ran around us, still sugar high. Marc is already in bed regaining some energy. I’m next. But it’s been 2 months since I’ve posed (I am so sorry!) and today was a day to celebrate.

When we left all the kids gave Annada, Marc and I a hug. I love our neighborhood!

Annada loves to put on shows for me. Right now she is doing the Shepherd’s Dance. She has imaginary sheep all around her :).

Annada has been asking for a pet. Often at night we walk together and she looks for a pet. She’s hoping to find a cat or dog (not happening), but ends up with centipedes and lizards. We’ve talked about how if we find a cat or dog, we would need to find it’s owner.

A few minutes ago, Annada said, “Why do we have to find a pet’s owner? I will take care of my fish.”

“Because the owner misses it. How would you feel if your pet disappeared?” I replied.

“I would be sad if my cheetah was gone,” Annada said sadly.

Well, that escalated quickly.

No more diapers for Annada! She wakes up in the morning, goes to the bathroom, gets dressed and makes her bed. I’m so proud.

In fact, at the YearOne retreat this week Annada asked one of the women to show her a condo bedroom. When they came out Kayla was laughing. “Busted,” she said. Annada ran up to me. “That girl,” she said, pointing at Kayla,”didn’t make her bed. So I showed her how.” Then Annada whispered in my ear, “She was a bad girl.”

(I cringe whenever Annada calls someone a bad/good girl. So as always, I told her Kayla made a bad choice but Kayla is still and always was a valuable and loved girl.)

I told her I would take her anywhere she wanted for a treat. “Old Macdonalds” won.

When we came back, we found Daddy had left her some plums (because she ate the last one at breakfast and told him it was “delicious”) and froggy stickers. So Annada put the frog stickers on the plums and plum stickers on her. First I pretended I thought she was a plum and I was going to eat her. She would laugh until we hit the edge where it started to sound like crying.

Then she started taking her frog plums potty. (A lot of things go “potty” on pretend toilets here.) One rolled off the book serving as a toilet. I cried out, “Oh no, don’t let it pee on the couch” as a joke.

Annada thought that was hilarious. Soon her frogs were bouncing and peeing everywhere and she was running around giving them timeouts. I shrieked each time it happened. Annada would laugh until she couldn’t breathe. Then she would rest for 30 seconds and jump up to do it again.

I love to see her laugh like that. And I hope no one ever gives her a plum in public.

When I picked Annada up from school today she gave me the greatest hug. I signed her out thinking she was right next to me. Her teacher was holding the clipboard and thought the same thing. But when I looked, she was gone. At first we just causally called her name. But after a couple minutes we were running outside trying to find her. She vanished in less then a minute in a pretty wide open space with few hiding places.

Finally we found her sitting on the bench around the school, just quietly waiting for me to come talk with her. Mrs. Templeton and I ran up on her at the same moment. Whew, that is an awful feeling.

After we had all recovered, Annada and I sat on the bench and ate the snack I brought her. She told me she decided to go to the shady bench. I asked her what she enjoyed about that day.

“Playing with my friend on the playground, making a peacock and seeing Mommy and Daddy,” she said. Then she told me all about making a peacock out of feathers. It sounded like she had a great day.

I asked her if it was a “thumbs up” day (meaning a good day). “No,” she replied.

“What was wrong?” I asked. “The teacher was what was bad,” she replied.

Uh oh, I thought. This is a new classroom and a new teacher. It is possible something is wrong.

“What about the teacher was bad,” I asked.

“The teacher put Joshiel in the thinking chair because he was mean to other kids,” Annada said. “That made me sad.”

What a sweet spirited girl – it really bothers her when anyone hurts. Poor Joshiel has been having a really hard time. He cries throughout the day because he misses his mom. And I’m relieved, it sounds like her teacher is doing great.

Annada found a Q & A game I am bringing to our staff retreat. She wanted to answer all the questions. I am so glad she did. Here’s her answers:

What is your favorite memory?

Playing with Asher at gymnastics.

What do you like to take with you when you travel?

My iPad (a leapPad)

What is your favorite body part?

My head because it likes sugar.

If you could have any personality trait, what would it be?

Butterfly traits because I want to have pink wings.

What makes a happy life?

Aerobic exercise. Eating healthy food. Going to bed and sleeping.

Do you prefer to know what will happen or surprises?

Surprises. Especially candy surprises.

What time of year is your birthday?

December

What is your favorite clothing item?

My Cinderella clothes

What new skills would you like?

Fish skills so I can swim underwater.

At what age should people get married?

4 years old.

What is the best way to apologize to someone?

Say I’m sorry.

What makes you feel loved?

Candy

What do you want to do for your birthday?

I want to have streamers that twirl and dance with them.

What is your favorite thing?

Whatever Judah has. (You want what Judah is playing with? Yes, and he doesn’t share with me.)

Would you rather be awake for a sunset or sunrise?

I want to be awake for the sunset. I like to be awake at night.

If you could own any store, what store would you want and why?

I want Publix because it has all the food. (What food do you want? Watermelon.)

What is your favorite thing to do?

Play with toys

What do you wake up in the morning looking forward to?

Playing with crafts

Today Annada ran up and grabbed my hand, “Come on Mom, come play God with me.”

She already had Dad in tow. “Okay, you be God, I’ll be Jesus and Daddy will be the soldier.”

Then Annada kneeled down by the couch, “God, is there any other way?” she asked. She paused for a moment. “No there is not,” she said.

Then Annada used bubble wrap to make a cross and gave Daddy jump ropes for nails. “You have to put me on the cross,” she told Daddy.

At this point, all three of us had tears in our eyes.

Marc laid Annada on the cross and put the jump ropes on her hands and feet.

“God, forgive them,” Annada said. “Here’s my spirit.” Then Annada closed her eyes.

A second later she popped them open, “Mommy, you be the women and put me in the tomb.

I picker her up and laid her on the couch. Annada, Marc and I were all crying. Marc laid a blanket over her. Then he counted to three slowly.

Annada popped out with her hands over her head. “Quick, Mommy, come to the tomb. I am alive!”

I picked Annada up and we cried together as Daddy put his arms around us both.

Annada cuddling with Grandma during church. Right now Annada is at Peanuts Playhouse with Grandma and Grandpa – so she’s one happy girl.

We had to dress up for the big occasion… Thursday 🙂

Letting her butterflies go. She let 2 go at home and 2 go at school.

Annada says something wise, creative or funny (sometimes all 3) everyday. It’s been a while since I’ve collected them, so here’s a few of my favorites.

Rap

Yesterday I was playing Lacrae’s cd on my computer as we got ready in morning. About half-way through breakfast Annada said, “I don’t like to hear that talking Mommy.”

Once I regained composure I explained to her it’s called rap.

At least we know what kind of music she likes.

Easter photos. Yes, I am really behind.

This week Annada gained an imaginary fairy friend named “Abella”. (Think Isabella except with a soft a to start.) I forget about Abella a lot because Annada doesn’t talk with her out loud.

However, Annada must keep a pretty constant focus on Abella because I she’s pops up out of the blue – usually when I hurt her.

For example, yesterday Annada and I picked up catering for lunch with the summer interns. A man working at Panera carried the bags to my car. When it all didn’t fit in the trunk, he offered to put it in the seat next to Annada. Annada had not mentioned Abella all day.

I had just finished buckling Annada in her car seat when he set the bags next to her.

“Mom!” Annada screamed in anguish. “He’s crushing Abella! Quick, quick. Save Abella. The man blinked, thanked me for my order and walked off. Meanwhile Annada kept yelling, “Abella, are you okay? Mom, help Abella!”

When I picked the bag up Annada asked Abella if she was hurt. Fortunately Annada told me Abella had hid in a crack and survived.

When I asked Annada to describe Abella to me she said, “Abella loves to paint with me. She sleeps with me in my bed but sometimes she sneaks out at night and sleeps with you. Abella snips my food before I eat it. She is a baby fairy. Sometimes if she is very tired she slips into my belly to sleep. (Like a pregnancy.) She is my daughter. I let her in my box to work at school. Only I can hear her.”

Getting ready for the hunt.

Annada and I were playing when she laid on my bed and said she needed a (play) doctor. “What’s wrong with you Annada?” I asked.

“I’m completely destroyed,” she sighed.

Running to the far end - Annada plotted her strategy the night before.

Lately Annada has been wearing her German princess costume a lot. “You can only speak German to me,” she tells me. Then she ignores me if I speak English.

Fortunately, I’ve learned that any words with extra “z’s” in it seems to pass as German.

“Getzz downz stairsz and eat zz breakfastz….”

Marc and I have been married 10 years! So we took some pictures to commemorate. Annada was very sweet about the whole day – until she realized we were going to the Bed and Breakfast without her. I am so grateful for our family!

The jump rope is her Rapunzel hair.

Marc is really tired today but Annada wants to play with him. So he told Annada they could play Sleeping Beauty. He’d be the princess and she could go searching for him. It was brilliant…

Until Annada decided I would be the prince and come looking for both of them.

I won’t let Annada eat animal crackers for breakfast, so she is heartbroken. Annada silently got a blanket and pillow and laid down to cry. When I asked if she feels okay she said, “I’m crying because I don’t have animal crackers.”

Annada has been in full out musical theater mode lately. She sings, with utmost dramatic flair, everywhere she goes. Even when she is talking, she is entertaining. Here are some of my favorite Annadaisms for the last week:

Annada walked up to me today, flung her arms around me, and called out breathlessly, “You are an angel of the stars!”

Annada wanted to dye her hair pink like a couple of the interns. So after the intership was over a couple came over and we had a hair cutting and dying party. I choose dye poorly - it was gone and all over the house 3 hours later. The goggles were all Annada's idea.

This morning Marc told Annada he was going to leave for work. She turned to me, threw her hands above her head and said, “I’ll be crying with tears in my bed because my prince is gone!”

She paused for dramatic effect, then said, “I must go right now.”

Annada ran upstairs and we could hear her over the monitor fake crying loudly on my bed. Then she took a deep breath and ran downstairs to Marc.

“My prince is back!” she called as she wrapped herself around his legs. “Oh I am so happy!”

Hair party ;)

Tonight we let Annada stay up to watch Marc and Brett set off fireworks (Yes, Independence Day is over. But Marc thinks Friday is reason enough to set off fireworks. So is Monday…)

I got her all ready for bed then went out to watch the fireworks. When it was over she asked me what time it was.

“I missed my 7:30 bedtime, Mommy,” she said and started to cry.

We told her she could stay up later in the summer, but she has been asking to go to bed at 7:30 (not when it is actually time for bed, of course).

I asked her why she wanted to go to bed at 7:30.

“It is better because my feelings go away,” she said.

Slightly alarmed at that response I said, “What feelings, Annada?”

“Like hunger and thirst,” she replied. “I’m hungry because I haven’t eaten for a whole hour.”

Waiting in the wings to perform. She waits until we clap to come out.

As we got in the car Annada spontaneously prayed, “Dear God, please help me not do any bad things.”

Then she paused and said, “Mmm hmm. I think I’m doing pretty good at that.”

Annada and I were playing. “Mommy, let’s play that I am the leader. You lay down and I’ll tuck you in for a nap.”

I was curious so I asked, “Does being the leader mean being the mommy?”

“Uh huh,” she returned.

PJ day at school.

Another time Annada and I were playing that she was the mommy. She tucked me into bed on the floor and began tenderly stroking my forehead.

“I’ll protect you,” she said softly, “from mean dinosaurs and wolves. Even if you go outside and in a wolf den I will come and stop the wolves from doing mean things to you.”

Annada's class on pj day. Yes, I am really behind on posting pictures - I am sorry!

While we were at Meme and Pepe’s house, Annada and Meme cut flowers and made a flower arrangement. When I came home Annada grabbed me by the hand and pulled me to her arrangement.

“Mommy, come admire the lovely flowers,” she sang out, sweeping an arm above her head.

Pepe spoiling Annada. I love it :).

Last week I put Annada to bed and jumped in the shower. A few minutes later Annada popped her head in.

“I’m coming to see if there are any wolves in here with you,” she said.

I was about to scold her for getting out of bed when her lower lip started to quiver and her eyes teared up.

Why oh why did I read her little red riding hood?!? Seriously, other parents, be forewarned. Don’t read stories about animals eating people in their beds even if you are trapped in a waiting room with little to do.

While on our road trip I read Annada Alice in Wonderland. It was the Target Dollar Spot version which did cut out the baby eating part (so that’s good).

I wasn’t sure how much Annada was tracking. But when we finished the last chapter Annada quoted the white rabbit perfectly.

“Begin again at the beginning!” she called out. “And keep on going until the end.”

Free play at a gym by our home.

Annada told me, “Dinosaurs are mean because they are hungry. So I will feed them granola bars, leaves and fresh water.”

More gym time.

Here’s my favorite. After Marc finishes reading to Annada and putting her pjs on at night he sends her downstairs to get me so I can pray, talk and sing to her.

For at least a year, when I would hear her coming I would call out, “Is there a cute little girl coming to see me?”

This week, Annada changed the routine. When she gets to the top of the stairs she calls down, “Mommy! There is a cute little girl coming to see you!”

Then she giggles and runs down the stairs to find me.

Playing with Daddy's childhood toys.

Tonight at bedtime Annada prayed, “Dear God. I love you. I know love comes from your heart to mine. I love you so. So I know you love me too. Amen.”

Annada told me she wanted to wear the costume because it would “amuse” people.

“They will say, ‘there is a dancer. That is fun!'” she said.

Annada calls the garden “kid paradise.”

PJ day at school

Yesterday Annada didn’t drink her breakfast smoothie. I put probotic in it so I decided to try again. I went out into the garage were we have cans of sparkling juice. We call it soda and it is usually for special occasions.

I poured half a cup, stirred in probiotic and then found Annada.

“Would you like some soda?” I asked.

Annada ran over with a big smile and grabbed for the cup. Just before her fingers touched it, she drew back.

“Is it real soda, Mommy?” she asked.

“Yes, see here is the can,” I replied.

Annada smiled again and took the cup. This time she got it all the way to her lips before stopping and looking at the drink suspiciously.

“Is this probiotic soda?” she asked.

Busted. Annada doesn’t miss much ;).

Every day is a reason to dress like Santa in Annada's world.

No, really, Annada did.

Today was her last day of school. As I was tucking her in bed I told her my favorite parts of today were reading “Silly Sally” to Annada’s class and watching her go up to graduate (from early preschool). I told her I am very proud of her.

“I am proud of you, Mommy,” she replied, “for making a special craft for my class.”

Cutest rain drop I’ve ever seen.

Despite being “put in the middle so she can’t spin” by her teacher, Annada still had several unplanned dance solos. She wasn’t the only one – it was ADORABLE!

When I picked Annada up from school, she asked to go out to lunch with me. We ran errands and I let her keep an eye out for where she wanted to go.

“There, there, Mommy!” she called out after we passed by many options. So here we are, at an authentic Peruvian resturant eating some kind of roasted seed. 🙂

Afterward I discovered there is a large, bright yellow jumping spider living in our car. When it jumps, it leaves behind a string of web, so there is no pretending it is gone.

I tried to kill it and a random man saw me. He started insisting it was “a danger for the baby (Annada)” over and over and rummaging through my car looking for it. Annada started yelling, “Don’t kill it Mama! It is a nice spider – it doesn’t have spikes. It is playing hide n go seek with me!”

All as this spider is jumping around and I am getting soaked by rain. Then in the middle of the yelling, the guy started trying to sell me perfume and watches out of his truck and his wife started yelling. It was so bizarre I wanted to laugh and yell for help at the same time!

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.