Anna Turns Two!

Anna turns two today! It is hard to believe that it has already been two years since we welcomed joyful little Anna into our family. Anna was adored from the very beginning, when she made her way into the world on Mike’s birthday! Mike says that, if you have a child born on your birthday, you give your birthday to them – which means he gets to be 31 for life, since he would have turned 32 the day she was born. We’re still celebrating your birthday, Mike!

Anna is absolutely delightful. She learned to smile young and smiles often. She says hello to random people we see on the streets, and befriends strangers in seconds. She also greets animals, who are always called “meows”. Dog “meows” say woof, and cat “meows” say “meow” We’re working on the rest of her animal sounds.

Anna inherited Mike’s sense of humor, and she will do a lot to get people to laugh. Her efforts are usually successful!

“Go” was one of Anna’s earliest words, and it remains one of her favorites. She is always ready to go anywhere. I love her joie de vivre and the way she welcomes new experiences. Anna is very good at entertaining herself, and I am always surprised at the Montessori-style activities she sets up for herself. Anna adores baby dolls in all shapes and sizes – “mah [my] babies” she calls them – and she spends hours playing with our play kitchen. She likes to sing – especially Let It Go from Frozen – and she loves dancing as well.

Like most kids her age, Anna is happiest when she is outside, especially when she is playing in the dirt, water, on a swing, or going down a slide. She adores her family, and we adore her.

Happy Birthday, Anna! We love watching you grow up!

And to Mike: Happy birthday, sweetie! I’m glad we get to celebrate a double birthday every year, and I’m very grateful to have you in my life!

MaryAnne Kochenderfer

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MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.