Anna turns five

By K.J. Cardinal

At 5:47 p.m. tonight, my little girl will officially turn five years old. Where on earth has the time gone?!

It seems as if it was just yesterday that I was holding Anna in my arms at the hospital as Manny hit a walk-off homerun to win game two of the 2007 ALDS against the Angels. A lot has changed in five years... not just for the Red Sox, but also for us.

Anna has endured her share of unique experiences in her five short years on this earth and those experiences have really helped mold her into quite an interesting little kid. She has spent a year with her dad as a stay-at-home father (arguably the most amazing time of my life), two years at day care and two years and counting with Angie as a stay-at-home mom. She has welcomed a little brother into this world and she has also had to watch her big sister move away to college. Like I said, she's had quite a journey.

Anyone that knows her, can attest to the fact that Anna's not your typical five-year-old. She's the master of the iPad. The ring-leader for shenanigans. An affectionate Cardinal. A well-versed movie critic. Queen of her Squinkies. A passionate Portagee. And always a relentless, beaming ball of energy.

I think that Aunt Kate may have put it best when she told me a few months back that "Anna has street smarts". I think that might be a good way to describe Anna.

For instance, say we "accidentally" left Anna at a playground a few towns over... pure hypothetical of course. I'd bet money that not only would she find a way to get a lift home from a new friend she made, but she'd probably swindle a trip to the Red Box and a stop at the McDonald's drive thru out of her new friend before setting up their next playdate and finding her way back home. She just has that way about her.

I feel confident that we are raising a little girl that will someday turn into a feisty, athletic young lady that is passionate in all that she does and compassionate to everyone along the way. Oh yeah, and it will probably drive her father insane with how ridiculously beautiful she will be... oh boy.

But, for now, I want to try to focus on 'the now' with Anna because I know that my days are numbered with her as my little girl. So, excuse me while I do my best to try and enjoy the amazing little girl that we are so blessed to have in our lives.

Happy Birthday, Anna. There is nothing greater in my world than you.