Annabelle | Eleven Years Old

Annabelle is eleven. Our oldest is celebrating 11 years – here is a little bit about her.

Every year before I sit down to write about one of my daughters on her birthday, I scroll through my pictures. It’s always a little shocking to see how much she has changed over the years. Looking back at her birth story, it feels like yesterday she was a tiny bald bubbly baby. Annabelle’s transformation from little girl to preteen is a privilege to witness. She never loses her cute dimple chin, chiclet front teeth, and dark almond eyes. But she grows more gentle in her appearance (and taller too).

We are officially in the sharing clothes era – Annabelle fits into a few pairs of my shoes and some of my clothing. I always thought my first daughter would be a few years older before she could shop my closet, but here we are. Truthfully, I love that I can pass down items that are too small. I also enjoy seeing her in some of my favorite clothes on special occasions. Hopefully these feelings don’t change (and won’t as long as she asks before taking my things!).

Annabelle’s appearance isn’t the only noticeable change. While she still loves to be goofy and giggly, there is a soft mature glow radiating from her being. I adore the way she quietly reads before bed or softly soothes her youngest sister when she is upset. Annabelle moves slowly through her days – most of the time as if every action is to be enjoyed. Other times we think her slowness is to make us crazy (haha).

Annabelle | Eleven Years Old

Annabelle is gentle, kind, determined, and silly. She is the last to go to bed and the last to wake up in the morning. She loves to sleep but hates to leave a fun time! Annabelle enjoys snuggling as much as she did when she was little – which warms my Mama heart so much. She has come so far in terms of empathy, often apologizing soon after she snaps at me and recognizes a good time to start over. I believe her role as biggest sister has taught her patience and forgiveness.

Annabelle is in fifth grade this year. Her teacher is the best she has ever had as she is the first to genuinely care about Annabelle’s strengths and weaknesses. She pushes Annabelle to meet goals in Math and is fostering a work ethic we have never seen in her before. Annabelle’s teacher nominated her for student council (which she loves). She also began a photography club after-school where Annabelle can practice taking and editing photos. Annabelle also puts in hours in her K-Kids Community Service club and sings in fifth grade chorus. We are so proud of everything she is doing in her last year of elementary school!

Outside of school, Annabelle is in fifth grade religion classes and her ninth year of dance. Over her 11th birthday weekend Annabelle appeared as an angel in the church Christmas pageant. I did NOT expect her to want to participate and was so excited when she asked to attend rehearsals.

In her dance company, Annabelle performed in her first contemporary small group to “Lost Boys” and they did amazing. Annabelle still loves lyrical/contemporary dance more than tap and hip hop. She was cast as a Party Kid in the Nutcracker this Christmas. Annabelle likes to practice turns and leaps all over the house, which means she has finally quit doing headstands every chance she gets.

More about Annabelle 11 Years Old

Annabelle loves filling out her annual 30 Questions birthday survey and requested to write more about herself (as seen below). Her likes and dislikes are usually written by me from my personal observations, so this was very fun to read. I have to laugh at her dislike about braces as she really wants to get them now that her friends have them. I recall feeling the same way in middle school, but once my braces were on for a few months I wanted nothing more than to get them off!

Favorite Foods: mashed potatoes, rice, burritos (not homemade), Chinese food, sushi, spicy kani salad, pizza from school, fettuccine alfredo, Christo’s burrito bowl, pastina, sloppy eggs, everything bagel, wings

Foods She Doesn’t Like: tomatoes, scallops, stuffed shrimp, mozzarella sticks (new dislike!)

Things She Doesn’t Like: when Ailey sucks her thumb, when Arbor asks “What does that smell like?” a billion times, when Arbor won’t stop screaming about absolutely nothing, when I get an easy Math question wrong, when people think I’m not smart, when my sisters fight and won’t stop, when our gym teacher tells us to exercise more but not for people who are athletic, going to the dentist, going to the doctor – to get a shot having to get braces in high school not this year, when my slime dries out, when Ailey is mean to me, when Arbor is sad

Things She Likes: Making slime, dancing, my friends, my family, cats, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, music, big group lyrical, making crafts, glitter, pink, playing with fluffy slime, making and playing with cloudy slimes, when Arbor is happy, when Ailey is nice to me, watching cloudy slime asmr, watching beeboop dance