11 was a good year. Lots more freedom and some fun trips. Over the summer she did Hidden Valley Camp again. Then we went to Italy to meet up with Lynn and Steve, and Brian, Tara, and the kids for Lynn and Steve's 50th anniversary. It was a great (but hot) time. Afterward, we flew to Copenhagen and visited with our friend Txell and meet her guy Mark and baby Neal. A fantastic trip overall. She also did Humane Society veterinary sciences camp and ended the summer break with Sail Sand Point. Lots of time spent playing around the neighborhood too.
School: I'd say Anya is thriving in school this year. Middle School suits her. She tells me she loves the bustle of running to her locker between classes, having lots of different teachers, and especially electives. This trimester she picked yoga, Walk-Jog-Run (going around Maple Leaf park and listening to podcasts on her phone or with friends), and computer skills (things like email/online etiquette, using the internet responsibly, etc.).
Her favorite subjects this year are science and English/Language Arts. We are 2/3 through the first trimester and so far she's got A's in all subjects.
Socially: At school, all seems to be well. Many of the boys and girls in the class play soccer, football, or gagaball together during recesses, Anya included. There are 6 or 7 new kids in her grade this year. She gets on with all but one of them. Very little friendship drama so far. No "mean girl" stuff that often takes place at this age. At least not yet. It's a good group of kids and they are very caring towards one another. She's happy there.
Outside of school, her best friends are still Eva and Eloise, whom she hangs out with (separately) almost weekly. Weekdays after school she and Eloise often Facetime and play an online puzzle/adventure game together. It's sweet. The mild tension that existed due to their age differences seems to have gone away. It might come back next year when the older girls start high school (!).
Future Job: (copied from last year, since there are no changes). Veterinarian. She has informed us she will be going to Cornell for college as it has the best vet school. Plus it's up near Chad and Megan's place in upstate New York.
"Or - A marine biologist, but not a scuba diver. I'll swim with sharks but only if the water is this deep (indicates a level about 5 feet deep)
Or one of those ladies that takes people on African Safaris. That looks pretty fun."
Likes: Animals and her lizard, Sage, in particular. Generally running around the neighborhood. She has more freedom and often walks up to the grocery store or one of the bakeries on her own (and farther-away shops when friends are with her).
Anya had a good soccer season and excelled at playing goalie. She was on the combined St. C/OLL team that Chris coached on. Go Wildcats!
She just made, and decided to join, a select volleyball team. Some of the girls in her class are also on the team, so it'll be fun. It will, however, be quite a commitment for the rest of the school year and there's tournament travel involved. She's excited, though, and I've heard it's a fantastic program.
She's still a voracious reader. At any given time, she's working her way through multiple books. It's one of her loves and, along with some iPad time, the top way she relaxes.
Favorite music: I hear her play Halsey a lot. Some other things on rotation these days are the songs Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by They Might be Giants and Somebody that I used to Know by Gotye.
Media: She's been introduced to The Office (American version) and finds it hysterical. Also, we like to watch the Great British Baking Show together.
Favorite foods: (same as last year) Sushi Train (Tengu), Italian (Marcello's), Mexican food (Mr. Villa), and Ramen when mom's not home. Homemade favorites are still Chicken and Bread Salad and pumpkin cinnamon-swirl bread.
Happy, happy, happy birthday. May 12 be a wonderful year.
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