Hannah's a lot different than I was as a kid, which is not a bad thing AT ALL, but as a mother it takes greater effort for me to understand her. She is a kid full of passion, exuberance, joy for living, with a very strong will, and with all these characteristics comes big emotions and feelings. She has the heartiest laugh, an amazing sense of humor, and a real funny bone in her. She's got this habit of using funny voices - sometimes she sounds like Elmo, other times she sounds like a baby, and sometimes she even sounds like a goofy old man. It drives me crazy because I just want her to use her own voice, but in some ways I think it's just part of what makes her fun. It's part of her goofiness and silliness and maybe reflects some of her insecurities that will hopefully fade as she grows older. Hannah is very sensitive and when she is not understood she flies off the handle with stomps, emotional storms, and door slams. I'd like to nip these behaviors in the bud (especially before hormones get added in the mix). Fortunately, she's been able to keep her cool at school, so I'm hopeful that it is in her power to control those big emotions that arise! I just need to remember to be her steady and constant on her stormy days and not add fuel to the fire.
Me being in school has probably been hardest on Hannah and her sister. Hannah gave me notes throughout the year asking for more one-on-one time together, which I did my best to honor. She's doing well in school, and finished off 3rd grade with Ms. Shepherd and has moved on to 4th grade with Ms. Altwise. I recently ran into her art teacher, Mr. Wolf, who said that she seems to have many friends, and he thinks she is THE best artist in the entire school! Wow! What a compliment. Her artwork was selected to be put on display in a district art show last year, and he suspects she'll be in it again this year. Hannah is a creative girl, with lots of ideas brewing in that head! She likes to dress up, write and sing songs (although she's shy to share them!), put on makeup, draw, and practice her cartwheels. She has a beautiful singing voice and sounds like a little pop star! She loves being on her iPad and often connects with Erica online (they play Minecraft together and have created the coolest world together!)
Hannah likes to act more grown up than she is, being very particular about her hair and outfits and what she puts out into the world. She's is tired of sharing a room with her sister and really wants a room of her own. She hates having a bunk bed. She's tried to make her case that Seb's office would make a great room for herself, and she sometimes hangs out in there and stores her stuff in there (to my dismay!). We compromised by refreshing their room a touch, giving her her own corner with her own chair. We split the closet more evenly and put fun curtains and lights on their bunk beds. Maybe she can get her own room when Hudson leaves home! She loves engaging in conversation, but sometimes overshares and doesn't quite understand what is appropriate to pass along. She's like a parrot and will repeat anything she hears, so I have to be careful about what I say at home. We sure love our Hannah girl. She brings excitement and joy wherever she goes! I really regret not naming her Hannah Joy (my original plan for her in utero) because that's truly what she brings to our family! JOY!
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(1/13) Helping refresh her wall color from gray to white!
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(1/14) My project helper!
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| (1/15) Looking for a chair of her own |
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| (2/2) Dinner in matching dresses at Aunt Shauna's house (Hannah changed already!) |
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| (2/12) Hannah's art was selected to be displayed in the APS art show! |
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| What a talented girl! |
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| (2/19) Aunt Shauna picked the girls up to celebrate Elise's birthday together! |
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| (2/23) Grandma picked up Hannah to celebrate Elise's birthday together |
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| (3/16) Spa time with Mom! |
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| (3/22) Hannah's best friend in 3rd grade, Erica |
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| (4/6) A playdate with Erica's family |
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| (4/12) Matching Snorlax shirts! |
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| (4/13) Date night at BJ's with my girl! Tummy aches here we come! |
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| (5/1) Cheerleading fun on the trampoline |
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| (5/8) Another Erica play date |
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| (5/16) A beautiful sunset after basket night |
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| Catching up with Erica and Rose at Basket Night |
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Hot tub fun with grandpa!
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| Cousin time! |
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| Sleeping arrangements at Grandma's (Sofia, Eden, Hannah, Elise) |
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| (7/27) Hannah fell asleep reading in her bed |
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| (7/31) Playdate with Erica and Michelle |
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(8/10) Silly glasses from Grandma Dunlap
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1 comment:
Ahhh, I loved the post all about our Hannah! She's such a special and delightful girl. I have a special place in my heart for her. She really is full of energy and shifting emotions. But she has so much going for her and will find her own path along the way. You are an amazing mother, Jessica!
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