Fall is our favorite time of year. The beginning of the new school year, weather is perfect in Alabama, and both girls celebrate their birthdays. Ana turned eight on October 1 and loves second grade, especially her teacher. She has become a very good reader, and gets especially excited about science and all she is learning in math. It is wonderful to watch her read to Abby, with little sister in awe of Ana's expressions and love of books. Ana takes tennis and piano lessons and is in her second year of gymnastics. She also is a Brownie Girl Scout.
Abby turned five on October 4. Yes, we do have two birthdays in the span of three days. Abby is in 4K at Prince of Peace School, which is also our church. She loves school and Mrs. Tania. She is learning so much, even math sentences, to the amazement of her parents. Abby takes gymnastics and does a mean cartwheel for a little tyke. But her real love is soccer. The genteel girl off the field shows her real aggression on the field. There is real potential there!
We are most grateful for the relationship that the girls share. They play together so well, maybe because they are perfectly suited in their roles -- Ana as big sister, giving direction, and Abby, full of adoration and admiration for her big sis. She is like a sponge when it comes to learning from Ana. They spend countless hours playing with their American Girl dolls or playing pretend. It is amazing how little they turn to toys -- rather, their imaginations take them to the pretend classroom, or flying around the house like fairies, or making believe they are puppy dogs. Such fun to watch...not so fun to pick up after. Oh well!
Spring and Summer 2011
In May, Ana completed 1st grade and has become an avid reader. She continues to write stories with her wonderful imagination.
Abby contined to thrive on the soccer field, while Ana soared as a dragonfly in the ballet of Sleeping Beauty. Both girls participated in their first gymnastics exhibition.
The girls continue to talk about their Poppy, who we lost last summer at the age of 85. They also experienced the death of their pet guinea pig this year. They fervently pray for Poppy and Rainbow each day.
Ana started tennis lessons and is really taken with the sport. The fact that you can wear a dress while playing a sport is very attractive to her. The girls had a lot of time in the YMCA pool this summer, and Abby has become a fish like her sister...or maybe mermaid is the better word. Both girls attended Vacation Bible School with cousin Hunter. What fun they all have together. "Pandamania" was this year's theme, right up Abby's alley since Pandas come from China and are her favorite animal. We sang "God is wild about us" much of the summer. They also attended theatre camp at Samford University. Ana had the lead role in Peter Rabbit and was ready to attend the Academy Awards. Abby bragged to her sister that, although Ana had the lead, Abby had TWO parts -- a bluebird and a chipmunk -- in her play. So there!
Summer also brought a visit from our dear friends from New Jersey -- Rita and Bernie Glaser and their two girls, Anna and Lena. The girls got along so well and had so much in common -- American Girl dolls and arts & crafts. What can be more fun than a visit from dear friends we seldom get to see.
Summer began with a trip to the beach (Destin, FL) and closed with a trip to Weiss Lake in North Alabama with Grandma. Family times are what we all value most. And times with good friends, like our Labor Day weekend visit to the waterpark with the Gentile family... a definite highlight of our summer.
Abby contined to thrive on the soccer field, while Ana soared as a dragonfly in the ballet of Sleeping Beauty. Both girls participated in their first gymnastics exhibition.
The girls continue to talk about their Poppy, who we lost last summer at the age of 85. They also experienced the death of their pet guinea pig this year. They fervently pray for Poppy and Rainbow each day.
Ana started tennis lessons and is really taken with the sport. The fact that you can wear a dress while playing a sport is very attractive to her. The girls had a lot of time in the YMCA pool this summer, and Abby has become a fish like her sister...or maybe mermaid is the better word. Both girls attended Vacation Bible School with cousin Hunter. What fun they all have together. "Pandamania" was this year's theme, right up Abby's alley since Pandas come from China and are her favorite animal. We sang "God is wild about us" much of the summer. They also attended theatre camp at Samford University. Ana had the lead role in Peter Rabbit and was ready to attend the Academy Awards. Abby bragged to her sister that, although Ana had the lead, Abby had TWO parts -- a bluebird and a chipmunk -- in her play. So there!
Summer also brought a visit from our dear friends from New Jersey -- Rita and Bernie Glaser and their two girls, Anna and Lena. The girls got along so well and had so much in common -- American Girl dolls and arts & crafts. What can be more fun than a visit from dear friends we seldom get to see.
Summer began with a trip to the beach (Destin, FL) and closed with a trip to Weiss Lake in North Alabama with Grandma. Family times are what we all value most. And times with good friends, like our Labor Day weekend visit to the waterpark with the Gentile family... a definite highlight of our summer.
Fall 2010
What a fall it's been. Ana started 1st grade and loves it. She is reading chapter books and writing. In fact, she has written and illustrated several books (mostly about fairies) and is waiting to be discovered by a publisher. She had a painting party for her birthday in October, when she turned seven, and painted a canvas of a mermaid. Abby, on the other hand, has become our little soccer player. Her goal, no pun intended, is to get that ball away from the boys. You go girl! Abby started preschool in September and feels like big sister as she heads to school each morning with her school bag and lunch box in tow. She has learned so much in just a short time. Abby also had a birthday in October, and she had her first party. It was a big one at Pump It Up and all her little friends showed up to jump and play as she turned four. The girls had a big Halloween, with Ana as Cleopatra and Abby as Minnie Mouse.
Summer 2010
Summer 2010
It was a great summer. We had our share of swimming (which both girls love), camps and time with friends. Ana went to camps at Aldridge Botanical Gardens and the Birmingham Zoo. She also took an art class and went to Vacation Bible School at our church. Abby loved being old enough to join her at Vacation Bible School this year, along with cousin Hunter. Both girls got dark tans, despite their mom who overdoes the SPF 50 suntan lotion. We also took two vacations in July -- to a resort in Point Clear, Alabama, and to Callaway Gardens in Georgia, where we were joined by dear friends from Seattle, including Ana's newest friend, Ava, who is seven years old and lots of fun. We celebrated Ana's "Special Day" on August 2, marking five years since we first met her and held her in Russia.
It was a great summer. We had our share of swimming (which both girls love), camps and time with friends. Ana went to camps at Aldridge Botanical Gardens and the Birmingham Zoo. She also took an art class and went to Vacation Bible School at our church. Abby loved being old enough to join her at Vacation Bible School this year, along with cousin Hunter. Both girls got dark tans, despite their mom who overdoes the SPF 50 suntan lotion. We also took two vacations in July -- to a resort in Point Clear, Alabama, and to Callaway Gardens in Georgia, where we were joined by dear friends from Seattle, including Ana's newest friend, Ava, who is seven years old and lots of fun. We celebrated Ana's "Special Day" on August 2, marking five years since we first met her and held her in Russia.
Spring 2010
May 29, 2010
There were several highlights this spring, including a trip to DisneyWorld and Ana's first time as a flower girl in our friend Paige's wedding. Both were truly magical. We also celebrated Abby's first "Special Day," the one year anniversary of her being in our family. What a blessing it's been.
The spring also brought its share of recitals. Ana was an Autumn Fairy in her ballet's rendition of Cinderella and she had her first piano recital. She has also become an amazing artist, and loves to draw and paint. Performing and the fine arts are Ana's loves. (Next to mommy, daddy and sister, of course.)
It appears that Abby will be our little athete. She played soccer and loves to kick and throw any ball that she finds. She also lives in t-shirts and jeans, something Ana will only do if they are pink and have sequins on them. The girls are getting along great, and it is wonderful to see them playing together, although an occasional "Mommy, she won't share with me," always finds its way into the experience.
Ana just completed her kindergarten year, and it was amazing how much she learned. The biggest takeaway is her love of reading and writing. One of her favorite pasttimes has become writing and illustrating her own books. At six, she still writes some words phonetically, of course, but it is incredible to see her creative mind create real stories. Her drawings are adorable, and she can't wait to have something "published." Who knows, maybe we'll have an author or illustrator in our future.
School ended last week, and we kicked off the summer by spending the day at the waterpark. Daddy even took the day off to celebrate with us. Both girls love the water and plan to spend a lot of time being mermaids this summer.
(Make sure to check out the big photos below.)
There were several highlights this spring, including a trip to DisneyWorld and Ana's first time as a flower girl in our friend Paige's wedding. Both were truly magical. We also celebrated Abby's first "Special Day," the one year anniversary of her being in our family. What a blessing it's been.
The spring also brought its share of recitals. Ana was an Autumn Fairy in her ballet's rendition of Cinderella and she had her first piano recital. She has also become an amazing artist, and loves to draw and paint. Performing and the fine arts are Ana's loves. (Next to mommy, daddy and sister, of course.)
It appears that Abby will be our little athete. She played soccer and loves to kick and throw any ball that she finds. She also lives in t-shirts and jeans, something Ana will only do if they are pink and have sequins on them. The girls are getting along great, and it is wonderful to see them playing together, although an occasional "Mommy, she won't share with me," always finds its way into the experience.
Ana just completed her kindergarten year, and it was amazing how much she learned. The biggest takeaway is her love of reading and writing. One of her favorite pasttimes has become writing and illustrating her own books. At six, she still writes some words phonetically, of course, but it is incredible to see her creative mind create real stories. Her drawings are adorable, and she can't wait to have something "published." Who knows, maybe we'll have an author or illustrator in our future.
School ended last week, and we kicked off the summer by spending the day at the waterpark. Daddy even took the day off to celebrate with us. Both girls love the water and plan to spend a lot of time being mermaids this summer.
(Make sure to check out the big photos below.)
Winter Update
February 2010
The first few months of the new year have been filled with new heights...literally and figuratively. Ana is getting so tall and is one of the biggest in her class. She is beginning to read and write, as well as play the piano. She continues her ballet and had three parts in the Nutcracker in December. In late February, she was a petite fairy in Peter Pan. Where there is a stage, there is Ana. Actually, she and Abby both dance on the coffee table, admiring themselves in the mirror as they perform. Abby has been talking up a storm, and even puts sentences together. She has no trouble communicating her emotions "Abby mad" and "Abby happy." Poor Steve...he has three girls that just love to share what they're feeling. More than anything, she is confident and secure, and loves her family. She is our homebody, whereas Ana is always looking for the next party. Alabama has gotten several snow falls this winter, something very rare. The girls have loved it and built their first "snowgirl." (Everything is about girls in our house.) Ana had her first date, a Valentine's Dance with Daddy. She danced up a storm to Michael Jackson music...who would have thought that she and mommy would have both danced to Thriller in our life times. We all enjoyed the Olympics, with Ana rooting for the Russians, Abby yelling "Ni Hao" to the Chinese, and mommy and daddy cheering on the red, white and blue. Check out the updated photos to see the girls in action.
The first few months of the new year have been filled with new heights...literally and figuratively. Ana is getting so tall and is one of the biggest in her class. She is beginning to read and write, as well as play the piano. She continues her ballet and had three parts in the Nutcracker in December. In late February, she was a petite fairy in Peter Pan. Where there is a stage, there is Ana. Actually, she and Abby both dance on the coffee table, admiring themselves in the mirror as they perform. Abby has been talking up a storm, and even puts sentences together. She has no trouble communicating her emotions "Abby mad" and "Abby happy." Poor Steve...he has three girls that just love to share what they're feeling. More than anything, she is confident and secure, and loves her family. She is our homebody, whereas Ana is always looking for the next party. Alabama has gotten several snow falls this winter, something very rare. The girls have loved it and built their first "snowgirl." (Everything is about girls in our house.) Ana had her first date, a Valentine's Dance with Daddy. She danced up a storm to Michael Jackson music...who would have thought that she and mommy would have both danced to Thriller in our life times. We all enjoyed the Olympics, with Ana rooting for the Russians, Abby yelling "Ni Hao" to the Chinese, and mommy and daddy cheering on the red, white and blue. Check out the updated photos to see the girls in action.
Christmas 2009
It was another wonderful Christmas in the Sewell house. It was Abby's first Christmas, and just like a wonderful big sister, Ana woke her early Christmas morn and together they tiptoed down the stairs to see if Santa had come. The girls had left gingerbread cookies and milk for Santa, along with food for his reindeer. Abby was heartbroken that there were only crumbs left of her cookie...not yet understanding that it was for Santa, not for her breakfast treat. She quickly recovered after seeing her presents. Ana said she "must have been really good" this past year, since Santa left her more gifts than expected. Guess she really has been a great big sister. Abby wasn't quite sure what all was happening, and she surely didn't want to get close to the guy with the long white beard, but she enjoyed the music, the lights and the presents of the season. Ana was an angel at Christmas Eve mass, and we spent the evening with Grandma and Poppy, along with cousins Hayley and Hunter, Uncle John and Aunt Na Na.
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