Annie Overnight

(I’ve had a few requests for an Annie update. Bitte schön.)

Annie had her first friend sleep-over recently. I’m not sure where the girls got it in their heads, but they had been asking to sleep over for some time now. As Chloe thinks a sleep-over involves her brother Julian, her Mom and her Dad sleeping over too, we thought it was best to try Annie at Chloe’s place. Here is what Annie thinks, “Mom, Dad…haven’t you left yet? Don’t let the door hit your a** on the way out.” I’ve decided to take it as a sign of her confidence and general social nature.

Anyway, except for the very early morning that Margriet (Chloe’s mom) had to endure (she was sufficiently warned), all went well. As with all good sleepovers, the girls talked and giggled until way past their bedtime. Margriet eventually got them to sleep by cuddling Chloe in the living room while Annie conked out on the bed. When I went to pick Annie up, she was very happy to see me (she always is) but a bit shocked when I told her it was time to go home. What? I’ve only spent the last 28 hours straight with Chloe! (We had spent the entire day before at the lake together.) How can you even dream of pulling me away???!!!

Here are pics of the girls sleeping peacefully. The little monkeys.

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In other Annie news…

I think there is a chance Annie will inherit my love of language. Her favourite sentence right now is “I’m already ready.” She thinks it is hilarious and will use it even when only remotely appropriate.

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The teacher’s assistant in Annie’s school is from England and has taught the kids “We All Live in a Yellow Submarine”, which Annie sings pretty much constantly (when she isn’t singing one of the two catchy theme songs from the 2010 World Cup.) Except she pronounces it soobmarine. Have I mentioned that my Canadian daughter is picking up a British accent? Between the UK teacher, friends Emily (Australian) and Chloe (parents are from the Netherlands but their English is quite British-accented), Annie has a hard time keeping her flat Canadian vowels. It’s not “waahtaah” my love, it is “waddur.”

However, the UK vowels are easier to correct than her occasional German accent. After  months of practice, her “th’s” seem to have returned. I was starting to think that she would be the actress in the revised version of this video .

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Annie’s favourite DVD right now is Charlie and Lola. I like it too, as the writers clearly have a lot of experience with 4-year-old girls. Lola’s conversations with her friend, Lotta, could be pulled directly from Annie and Chloe’s chatter. Most days I have to pretend to  be Charlie to Annie’s Lola. We speak in British accents (see above) and re-enact scenes from the episodes. One section is about having a dog. My girl would LOVE to have a puppy. Here is her taking care of my friend Nicole’s wonderful dog, also named Lola.

Unfortunately for my girl, this is as close as she is going to get to a dog while living in this household:

I often think “4 going on 14.” When people say “it goes fast”, they ain’t lyin’.