Friday, January 16, 2009

Sophie's Fourth Birthday!

Additional pics from Sophie's birthday. Her preschool (which is Montessori) has a really cool birthday celebration - it's a big enough deal that it would really suffice as her *only* party (but of course we didn't leave it at that!). I didn't know anything about this until she went there, but here's the ritual in a nutshell: they have a candle on the floor that represents the sun, and we brought in pictures of Sophie as a newborn, 1 year old, 2 year old, etc. along with her coming-home outfit (so incredibly tiny!) and her lovey (a black cat from cousin Val). She got to carry a globe & walk around the "sun" as Mary Ann, the director, would say a few words about the different stages Sophie went through as a baby & toddler. Yes, I shed a few tears. Our good friend Christina came to watch & help us film, so it was like a paparazzi corner with me, her & Rod all filming/snapping pics at once!

After the ceremony, Sophie got to pick her friends to help hand out snacks. She had chosen goldfish, carrots w/dip, & cookies w/chocolate frosting & had helped me make them the night before. At her school, the kids handle all aspects of snacktime (sounds like heaven to me!) and they all pass out everything to the 38 students & 4 teachers. Then, amazingly, they just sit patiently and wait until *everyone* has been served before eating. Um, that SO does not happen at home!

We had a nice evening of pizza & a dance session after Rod got home. You can see that Ben is perfecting his air guitar & Sophie is already working her club moves. Rod & I were perfectly content to sit in the audience!


























































Golf

I love this pic of our future golf pros! This is Ben & his great friend, Amelia, at one of their lessons. They always have a great time practicing & are learning the correct way to hold the club, how to stand, etc. Best of all they get to run around on the green & ride in a golf cart, so they are totally happy after that.

Holly Day Tea

Sophie & I went to a tea in Biloxi with some friends; it was very yummy. Morgan & Sophie were so cute in the pic below & love how their dresses kinda matched!



Holidays

First pic: St. Nick's Day loot (yes, it was the dregs of their pajama drawer... I was waaay behind on laundry)
Second & third: Christmas tree lighting at downtown park, seeing Santa & a group pic with friends
Fourth: Smiley Sophie
Fifth: Sophie singing in a performance at church
















Thanksgiving

We drove up to Ohio to see Miss Dorothy, Connie, Dine, Chad & Kent for the holidays. It was a 15 hour drive up there, but the kids did fabulous! We were very proud that we only turned the DVD player on for 2 hours of the trip, they really entertained themselves that much (with only minor squabbles). We had a whirlwind trip and enjoyed some very yummy food, went to a movie, museum & just enjoyed family time. Plus the kids were able to experience snow! Not much, but enough to touch. It was a great Thanksgiving.
















Soooo tempting to take one of these little contraptions home...




Ben & Sophie - not sure what's up with his face