Presents!

I have had a lot of fun in this holiday month. My big sister and I made a gingerbread house, and I wanted to keep playing with it.






Uh-oh!







I am not sure, but I believe Papa was very happy when the batteries ran out on this singing toy...

We went to a party at the place Mommy and Papa work, and got our faces painted and met a friendly racoon.

This Christmas thing was fun as well. Mommy brought me to the tree and we got to unwrap presents.

All of this was for me!

I am off playing! See you later!

I met Sinterklaas!!

I went to a party on Saturday with lots of other kids. We were all excited because Sinterklaas was going to be there!!

I stayed close to Sasi, she's been to these kinds of parties before.




When I felt a little shy around all those kids I just found a quiet space and observed for a while.





















This interesting fellow gave me and Mommy some delicious cookies!





















After I'd played for a while and ate a lot of cookies, Sinterklaas arrived!

Sinterklaas had a lot of fascinating things to say. I got as close as I could so I wouldn't miss a word.





















Finally I got to spend some time alone with Sinterklaas. I wasn't scared at all!





















He had some tips for me about setting out my shoe for him. I listened very carefully.





















Sinterklaas told Papa he was coming to our house that same night, so I set out my shoe as he told me to do. I got some new books in my shoe the next day! Dank u Sinterklaas!!

Anna Keeping Busy

I spend a lot of time reading books these days.






















Just about any book will do, but I prefer the ones with pictures.

















Mommy got me this toy for Christmas. It's really cute and plays music when you press down on the button.

















Here, I'll show you!
















Mommy and Papa are showing me how to throw my dirty clothes down the laundry chute. I'm not sure where they go but somehow they end up in my drawer clean again.





















I've been learning my shapes and colors by playing with this toy.






















It's much easier to get the shapes in if you take off the lid!





















Papa really wanted to get a picture of me while I was sleeping. This mostly happens at night, I don't care to sleep much during the day.

More about Miss Boo

* she bunches up her blankie to put under her head while she sleeps, like it's a pillow.

* she kisses people and animals in her books. But, if she's leaning in to give you a kiss, beware because she may end up biting you instead!

* she used to be okay with getting her fingernails trimmed, now she hates it!

* some nights she likes to look at books in bed before she falls asleep.

* Anna's favorite toys are the phone, the remote control, the computer keyboard and mouse, Mommy's keys, Mommy's work badge, Mommy's sunglasses, and just about anything in Saskia's room.

* Anna enjoys playing with the water while Papa or Mommy showers.

* Anna's favorite pals are Duckie, Dolly, Cuddles (another duck she got for her birthday) and Froggie.

* Anna plays a little game with Papa while he feeds her, where she bites down on her spoon and won't let Papa get it out of her mouth again.

* Anna will wave and say hi when she passes the picture of Papa and Saskia in the stairway.

* Anna will respond "uh oh" when asked what the busy baby says.

* sometimes Anna will respond "moo" when asked what a cow says.

Anna's One Year Pictures

Here are most of the poses taken on her first birthday. It is her own rocking chair and beloved dolly in the pictures. Enjoy!

Everyday Life

Not every day is a party, there are other things I do to keep busy around the house.

I'm always prepared to answer the phone if it rings.





















I'm able to make phones calls, too, if necessary.





















Sometimes I like to play with the karaoke machine. I also like to play with the VCR.
















To relax I like to read books with Papa.






















After reading a few books in bed, I recharge by cuddling with my blankie and getting a good nights' sleep.

Halloween!

Right after we celebrated my birthday it was time to celebrate Halloween! Here are some pictures from Halloween night.

All of us dressed up in our costumes for dinner at our neighbor's house and trick-or-treating. I'm the ladybug in the middle.





















Someday I'll have a Dutch costume just like my Mommy's.





















Ladybugs love raisins!











I only went trick-or-treating to a few houses with Papa, but next year when I can walk by myself I'll go to many, many more!!

Today is my birthday!!

I turned one year old on October 30. I had my very first birthday party on October 29. My aunts, uncles and cousins who live in the area came to celebrate with me.


I was a little nervous to see so many people at our house, so I stayed close to Mommy. Here's a picture of us:





















I felt more social after having a snack, but I was sure to leave room in my tummy for birthday cake. I loved the birthday cake because it had duckies on the top!!















Sasi showed me how to enjoy the best part of the cake--the frosting!!















Yum!!





















Sasi also helped me open my presents. There were toys inside for me!





















I liked this present a lot, it's the Amazing Animal Choo Choo and it plays music and makes animal noises!! Sometimes Papa shuts off the sound, though.





















Here I am the next day eating leftover birthday cake.









I had a great birthday! Thank you everybody for your cards, presents, and good wishes.

Good times!!

I've had a lot of firsts lately. A couple weeks ago I went to a corn maze with Mommy, Papa, and Sasi. It was a glorious autumn day.



While I was there, Mommy insisted I try some mini donuts. Yum!





















I also went to my first petting zoo! I enjoyed rattling the fences, but was a little shy about getting close to the animals.





















Here I am with Papa, relaxing on the straw bales after we'd finished the maze.





















In addition to the corn maze, I recently went to an apple orchard for the first time with Mommy, Papa and Sasi. They all made sure I had a great time while we were there.

Sasi played with me on the swings.





















She also played with me in the straw. I tried to feed her some!















There was a petting zoo at this place, too!





















We enjoyed sampling the apples, and did eventually pick some apples to bring home with us. I was very cozy with Papa that day!


By the way, I'm planning to be a ladybug for Halloween!