For Annelise, the count down to her eighth birthday began two years ago, the day Jonathan was baptised. After watching him enter the water, she knew it was her turn next. She has asked questions about the significance of being eight, given us updates on how many months remain until her eighth birthday and even born her testimony in Sacrament Meeting about her anticipation of being eight. Although she is still patiently awaiting her baptism, May 4th, her big day, arrived with fanfare. Annelise awoke to breakfast in bed. Her pancake shaped like an "A" was a hit, but as always it was the seven person chorus which made her most happy! We wished her well and walked her to the bus. On her way to school she was serenaded again by her bus mates and then again by a class full of second graders.
After school we took her to Dick's to pick out a new purple bike. She was so excited she rode it through the store, up to the cash register, out the door and through the parking lot to the car. We met the family at the Cheesecake Factory, Annelise's restaurant of choice. The wait staff serenaded her one more time as she blew out her candles.
We returned home for phone calls from home and gift opening.
With the arrival of Annelise's eight birthday, she was welcomed into Achievement Day's. This means that every other Wednesday, Annelise joins her older siblings who go to the ward house for scouts and Young Women's. Annelise has been looking forward to her admittance into the group with much excitement.
Whether she is building miniature temples out of sugar cubes or cleaning the nursery for a service project, Annelise couldn't be happier to be a member of this group of sweet girls. Annelise recently joined the girls for a trip to the Boston Temple and to one of the girl's homes for a swim party, with me tagging along.
Annelise was in her element, which is so much fun to watch. For Annelise, it truly is great to be eight!
2 comments:
Congratulations Annelise! I understand you're getting baptized in the Susquehanna River. I'll be excited to hear all about it when we see you guys this summer.
It sounds like a perfect day where Annie was the center of attention, just the way it should be. Love the A pancake. I'm stealing that idea for sure. :) Achievement Days/Activity Days is a great program. (I confuse the names all the time, but they tell me it's called Activity Days now.) I love how it brings together all the girls from 8-11 and they get to know more girls in the ward as friends, instead of just the ones their age in their primary class.
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