Anna at 3:

"My name is James."

If you were to happen upon Anna as we took one of our routine walks through our Hyattsville neighborhood the summer she was 3, Anna would likely offer that bit of (mis)information.

Or tell you she was Brandon.

Or Elena.

Or just about anybody but Anna.

(Yes, her declarations often elicited puzzled looks from strangers.)

Creative storytelling became a pleasurable pursuit; Anna became very good at making up scenes.

She also demonstrated a penchant for the spotlight: Informal sing-along nights at the house of friends Dana and Steve were greeted with glee.

--Chris Harvey