Anna Kate, we loved celebrating your birthday week with you!  You are such a little joyful daughter!!! You call yourself the middle child and your sisters the “side children.” That’s hilarious to me. I’m a middle child and never thought of that. If you get upset, you’ll say to Noelle, “You’re just a side child!” She’ll say, “No, I’m the first child!” But you guys love each other hard too! During your 4 year old shots, all you wanted was, “Sissy!!!” You kept calling out for Noelle through your tears. You guys cuddled the whole night when she got home from school that day; and don’t forget Rose!  She looks up to you in ways that are so special! She’ll just come and lay on top of you, and you will chuckle with joy! You love taking care of her, holding her hand, and leading her into another room to play. She totally trusts you and when you are there, she feels safe and comes alive! To Mommy and Daddy, you exemplify FUN and happiness!  You are not old enough to feel heart-broken yet.  I watch and learn from your innocence!  Nothing phases you or gets to you… you are just like your Daddy!  You guys have a special gift that protects you from the harshness of the world.  It’s something that can’t be taught.  I pray you use it to live a stress-free and happy life, being a cheerful example to everyone you meet, while displaying empathy along the way (which you’ve got lots of too)!  

… which brings me to your soft side!  You are a sweetheart, that’s all there is to it. Everyone you meet  couldn’t agree more! Sometimes when you get in trouble and upset with us, after you’ve had a time out and say you’re sorry, you’ll add, “It’s okay, I’m just a little girl… I still love you and I still care about you!”

Several times during the past couple of months when I’ve been changing Rose’s diaper, you’ll come sit next to me and admire her. You will say how much you love her and pat her tummy, and it’s all so sweet. Twice you’ve said, “I love her born feet!” It took me a while to get that you were saying you love the feet of a newborn, or in this case, Rose’s. Apparently, you’ve heard people say “I love newborn feet!” and so you say “born feet” trying to copy. Cute thing is, Rose is 2 years old now, and you are still admiring those “born feet.” That’s just how sweet you are!

You are hilarious every single day!!!  I try to get it all in your journal but you say and do way too many funny things in a day.  I wish I could think of everything there is to shout out to the world just how cool Anna Kate Pond is! We are so excited you are here and love watching those big brown eyes sparkle and dance with excitement for each new day! Thanks for hanging out with us! We love you forever and always, Cutie Kate!!!