Little stories of Anna's mischief and such.

September 2004 - At Disney World, during a character meal at the Garden Grill Restaurant, Anna, out of the blue, asks Pluto, "Do you get distracted by girl dogs?" I thought Pluto was going to jump out of his suit laughing.
    Also at Disney, I, daddy, who normally never drink caffeine, let alone coffee, drank two large cups to help me wake up. I was in a hurry to get to the parks, but Anna apparently noticed something different. She said, "Mommy, daddy is acting sorta weird." Guess I was wired on the caffeine.
    And finally at Disney, Anna wakes up and says, "Mommy, I had a dream- it was a movie of Jonah and the whale." And Del replies, "It must have been a photo album, because you were up so much during the night."

Anna and Rocky the Turtle, Summer 2004

We must have missed some good ShAnnagans during this year gap!

September 17, 2003 (As told to Del by Mimi, Del's mom) Yesterday, when I picked Anna up from school, I thought if she wasn't too tired, I might push my luck and run by Stein Mart and then Cold Slab Creamery for ice cream. Anna was on her best "Little Miss Priss" behavior, quietly walking right beside me, touching clothes, and exclaiming, "This is gorgeous! This is beautiful! Mimi, this is sooo pretty!" All the shoppers were smiling at her and commenting on what a cute little girl she was.

As she became more adventurous, she went around behind a rack of dresses. I called to her, "Anna, come back where I can see you." She quickly stuck her head out and said, "Mimi, just stay where you can see my knees."

I'm sure that must be something you have told her to do when she shops with you. At any rate, we all had a big laugh!

July 2003 - One night I was telling Anna a story about my childhood pet.  She asked if she could see him next time she went to Mimi & Papa Roo's house. I then had to explain that the dog wasn't still alive.  Anna then proceeded to ask me if our dog Ripken was going to die one day.  I hesitated to answer, thinking this was a discussion that could lead to some serious life realizations, and possibly some crying on her part.  But I decided to be honest and see where the conversation went. Upon learning of Ripken's mortality, Anna said "Well, when Ripken dies..... can we get a cat?"  Easy come, easy go.

June 23, 2003 - Our friend Meredith was keeping Anna while we were with Cole in the hospital.  Meredith asked Anna who she was going to marry.  Anna said "My Daddy."  When Meredith said, you can't marry your daddy.  Your mommy is already married to him."  Anna responded, "Then I'll marry Cole."

May 2003 - Getting Anna to brush her own teeth is unusual, as I typically do it for her.  I was quite surprised one night to see her diligently brushing her teeth in the bathroom.  When I asked her what she was doing, she replied "I'm making my teeth shiny and clean so I can go to Chuck-E-Cheese with my boys and get married."  Oh, okay then. (for a reference to "her boys", see March 2003 entry.)

April 2003 - One evening, I innocently asked Anna if she remembered when Cole was in my tummy.  She said "Yes, but did he just pop out of your tummy."  When I tried to give her the most shallow explanation of how a baby was born, she replied "Did you say "yow"?"  Why, yes honey, I did. Apparently the pain of childbirth is obvious even to a 3 year old.

March 2003 - Anna has been waking up early and coming into Cole's room so she can see out his window, which faces the front of our house.  She likes to watch the kids waiting at the end of the street for the school bus.  Each morning she says "Mommy, there are my boys.  I'm going to marry them." (yes, plural)

February 2003 - Making dinner conversation, I asked Anna what she wanted to be when she was an adult. Her reply? "I want to be a tap dancer and wear big underwear." I'm not sure if she intended for those two things to go together, or its just 2 separate goals she has.  I feel certain that with determination, she can meet them both!

January 23, 2003 - Anna keeps us in stitches with all the songs and movie themes that she sings.  It is amazing how she remembers all the words and tunes.  Lately she has been walking around the house singing "Someday my prince will come."  Well, I sure hope so honey.

January 3, 2003 - Anna has gotten very smart in finding loopholes to our rules.  The other day she asked 3 times during dinner if she could have ice cream.  Each time, my reply was "not until you eat all your dinner."  After the third time, Dave and I told her not to bring the subject up again.  Well, the next thing out of her mouth was "Mommy, what letter does Ice Cream start with?"  The next thing I knew we were having a 4 minute discussion of ice cream - again.  But technically she wasn't asking to eat it.  Anna also knows that she is not allowed to stick her tongue out.  We were sitting at the table and I saw her stick out her tongue after I told her something.  She must have seen the glare in my eyes, because before I had a chance to even reprimand her, she says "I made a silly face.  Now make a happy face.  Now a surprised face..." and so on, and so on.  Its a game we've played with her about expressions/emotions and each time she has to make the face we're describing.  So once again, she gets off on a technicality.  And this child is only 2!!! I'm afraid to see what she comes up with when we tell her she can't drive our cars and must be home by 11pm.

January 1, 2003 - We haven't had to do any laundry for Anna since Christmas Day!  She has worn her beautiful pink Princess Aurora costume every single day since receiving it from Aunt Sarah for Christmas.  We don't let her eat in it of course, for that she sits at the table almost naked.  And we don't let her sleep in it.  Every night, she wears her beautiful blue Princess Ariel nightgown.  Apparently Snow White is now history.

December 2, 2002 - Anna went potty at school today!! This was the last milestone she needed to reach before we could officially call her potty trained (except for nighttime).  She had been holding out on us and just wouldn't go at school.  Today, I sent a pair of Hello Kitty underwear with a note to her teachers that said she could wear them if she used the potty at school.  Bingo!  She came home so proud of herself.  We are going to have a little award ceremony at dinner tonight and give her a potty diploma.  If only all of life's milestones were that easily conquered.

November 26, 2002 - Well, it happened.  Anna cut her hair today and I am pretty upset about it.  Dave took the kids to the studio and gave Anna some scissors to play with while he took care of some business.  WHAT? You don't give a two year old scissors!  It took 2 years and 8 months to FINALLY get her hair all the same length.  Guys - think mullet.  Last week Anna got a real hair cut to even it all out.  I felt like it was a big accomplishment.  Now she has a section near the front that is 3 inches shorter than the rest.  She told me she cut it like Mulan cut hers.  Well thankyou Disney.

November 11, 2002 - Hooray!!!! Anna's first day in training pants- and no accidents! The candy bribery is working. At first we were a little scared because she seemed uninterested in candy.  But now she has found her sweet-tooth. Sorry Papa Roo. (Del's dad is a dentist)

October 31, 2002 - Well Snow White finally made her debut. (see the Halloween pictures) Anna was ecstatic to be in her full costume out in public.  She kept squealing - "I'm Snow White! I'm wearing lipstick and a wig!"  You couldn't wipe the grin off her face that lasted for about four hours.  Anna proudly marched in the neighborhood parade before going trick or treating.  Afterwards, we took all her candy and put it in a big, clear container on the kitchen counter.  I told her that every time she tells us she has to go potty, (and then goes of course), she can have a piece of candy.  For those of you who think this may be cruel to make her "earn" her candy - I tell you, I'm desperate.  If bribery will work for this potty training thing, I'm all for it.  I'm hoping that by the time the candy container is empty, Snow White will be potty trained!

October 3, 2002 - Our friend Kristin Spell was watching Anna while Dave and I took Cole to a doctor appointment.  Anna was playing with Kristin's daughter Hannah, also 2.  Apparently Kristin walked into the room and Hannah was sitting in a chair in her room with a distraught look on her face.  Anna had put Hannah in time out and would not let her leave the chair for two minutes!

September 28, 2002 - After almost two weeks at Grandmas while Cole was at the hospital in Baltimore, Anna was ready to get home.  Her bedtime prayer that night was "Dear God, I want to go home.  I'm tired of sleeping at Grandmas."  (no offense Grandma, but two weeks is a long time for a two year old - and 32 year olds for that matter.)

September 15, 2002 - At church, an elderly women saw Anna in her little dress and said "My, you are a doll."  Taking the comment quite literally, Anna replied "No I'm not.  I'm a big girl."

September 14, 2002 - Anna attended a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  They sat the birthday cake right next to her, and she couldn't help but stick her little finger in it for a taste.  When it was time to cut the cake, the lady asked Anna if she would like a piece.  She responded "No, its not very good."