Preschool Test Run

 

Yesterday morning, Sophia and I went to a Play Day for new students of her preschool. She had been excited about the whole prospect, but once the morning came, she kicked that excitement to a new level. Every thirty minutes or so, she would turn to me and say, "Mommy, you didn't forget what we're doing today, did you?" Now, I won't go into her reasons - justified or otherwise - for thinking I may forget something on our schedule. The point is, she was excited! So excited that she changed her outfit three times before we left!

Once we got there, she held my hand for about twenty seconds and was off on her own! It really was a huge relief for both of us that she took to it so well. Now, that's not to say that she won't have some hesitations on mornings that she doesn't feel like going, but getting that good start was a huge deal.

She officially starts next Tuesday, so I'll let you know how it goes once it's official!

Turn Around for a Second...

Last week, Sophia and I were talking about when she was a baby. It occurred to me that she's never seen the videos of herself that I used to love to look at and share. So we came to the blog. I looked at the videos from the beginning of the blog to the present. If you're interested, you can click on the "Videos" label at the bottom of this post to make the same trek through time. I don't expect anyone else to be as drawn in as Sophia and I were, but just in case...

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, as I watched the videos of her learning to walk (around 15 months) or quoting a book (before two), I just realized how these short couple of years have changed my sweet toddler into this great big kid that I know now. She will never, ever be quite as "lump in the throat" cute as she was in those days. Saying "bow" as "bone" and singing all the wrong words and waddling to me for a wet kiss. Even as Sophia watched the videos, she couldn't help but laugh at her own silliness in those days. She said, "Look, Mommy, I didn't know how to take a bow!" I wouldn't trade this current phase for the world, but watching the videos reminded me that I have no choice in the matter. My Sophia will be at a different place in six months whether I'm on board or not.

And, while she'll never be cute in that same way again, I can really enjoy the cuteness and sweetness she carries around with her now. I love her creativity, although I could do without a tablespoon of the drama. (A post for another day) I've decided to be in another phase of taking lots of videos. Might as well have some great memories of almost-four-year-old Sophia, too. I may spare you many of them, however. Partly because as I looked back at those old videos, I thought to myself on a couple of them, "Really? Why did I feel the need to post this for the world?" Oh well. You've forgiven my lack of discretion, or you wouldn't still be reading....right?

So here's an example of what I consider to be video-worthy these days. A song and dance about various things, including the star Evangeline from The Princess and the Frog. Hopefully you enjoy it...

It's happens to all of us...

 

Today it's Erick's turn to cross the threshold into his 30's. It occurred to me that I was with him for this whole decade. I remember when he turned 20, although I wasn't there due to a Character Camp commitment at C of O. I may never live that one down. I think I missed his 21st that way, too!

And now I can say I've seen him through an entire decade of his life. Or maybe we shared it more than we watched one another through it. A joint experience - all at once combined and individual. What a decade it was, too. Our 20's were... well, they were interesting. Awesome and awful, as most people can say.

I'm so looking forward to our 30's. It promises to be a helluva decade! Can't wait to share it with Erick!

Princess Sophia

Saturday morning, Sophia and I went to a Princess/Fancy Nancy/Pinkalicious Tea put on by Tryps. I mentioned Tryps a long time ago because Sophia was involved in a Movin' and Groovin' class when she was smaller.

Our friends Erica and Ava had heard about it and asked if we'd like to go along on the adventure. My goodness, what an adventure! The morning followed an unusually late night celebrating a friend's birthday. So when I woke up Saturday morning with just enough time to get cleaned up and go, I was regretting my decision to follow hilarity with a kid event so closely. It didn't take long for me to realize it was worth it.


They paraded princesses one-by-one through the crowd: Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Tiana, and on and on. Belle, however, seemed to be the crowd favorite. She was a beautiful princess and incredibly attentive to all the girls.



As each new princess came out on stage, all the girls were riveted to find out who was next. Sophia was the only one shouting "HI!" and waving. Then as they would walk past, she would grin a huge grin and point at herself, as if to say, "Look! I'm a princess too!"



That was just the beginning... We all went into a back room together where our own little princesses were paraded and singled out to have their picture taken in front of the princess crowd. Here's Ava's shot. She's the cute little princess in front.



Oh, that's not all. Then the princesses took their stations and the girls went around to each one to get a shot all by themselves and get stickers! Not to mention hugs. Sophia was in heaven!



Before we left, we had to see Belle one more time. This might be my favorite because of the look on Sophia's face. It's the closest I came to capturing the joy from the morning.

 

It was really an incredible morning. Sophia got home and told Erick, "I wish you could have been at my princess tea, Daddy, because it was so wonderful!"

Trouble Brewing

Paul, Risha and their girls were here this weekend. We had another great experience with Sophia and Lilly just taking off to do their own thing for most of the time. It's just incredible!

Somehow when those two are together, my mind can't help but wander into their teen years. Maybe this picture just pushes it over the edge with the pool table and beer sign, I'm not sure.

 

I'm pretty sure they'll be all kinds of trouble together. They are nearly perfect opposites, so one can plan while the other executes. One will be perfectly reserved and one will distract with words (I think you know which one has the words). Regardless, poor little Nora will probably get the worst from them sometimes. She already likes to follow them around, and most of the time she's allowed.

 

They certainly do have a lot of fun together, though. I wonder if I will be taking this exact picture in front of these columns some day.

 

It will definitely be a blast to follow these two into their teen years, although I'm certainly in no hurry!

 

Reached 30

I had a whole big thing written out about what I love about my life at 30. As I typed away, I realized that I couldn't accurately represent what it is about my life that causes my heart to be peaceful and my spirit to be content.

I am loved. I am known. I do my best to return the favor.

In all the moments I imagined what life would be like "at 30," I never allowed myself to hope for what I am living today. I love birthdays.

Boys, boys, boys!

We got a special treat this weekend. My nephews Jacob and Jeffrey came to stay while their parents got some kiddo-free time. Sophia, Erick and I are missing them already.

Of course, one never knows what to expect when having a 3- and 5-year-old boy stay at the home of one 3-year-old girl. I was a little afraid they would get bored. We're not skilled at entertaining boys for long periods of time. We were so pleased when the weekend turned out to be fantastic!

Friday night, they stayed up late and played pirates. Sophia lost her eyepatch long ago and never craved a replacement. However, Jacob was not so easily satisfied. No self-respecting pirate has both eyes. So I crafted him one, and fortunately it worked.




Saturday morning involved lots and lots of playing and imagination. Watching the three of them running around the house adding to one another's ideas was really entertaining. Then we all got a treat since William had his SIXTH birthday party at Flipz. That was a great time. Jeffrey really enjoyed posing for the camera and checking out the shots I got.



Jacob and Jeffrey were very happy that they got to be in Columbia to celebrate William!



After Flipz, you will never believe what happened. We went home, and all five of us slept! Weird, right? It could have had something to do with the fact that none of us slept very well after 3:30 that morning. But still, that was a wonderful treat! It set us up well to head out to the mall and have a great time wandering around, reading books at Barnes & Noble, playing Glow Golf



and riding the carousel.



Sunday morning was spent alternately with the cousins next door and back at our house. Another great morning just getting to watch the cousins play together, joining in when allowed. When Seth and Angie came back, we took the opportunity to celebrate both the boys with birthdays this week. As I mentioned, William turns six. And Jeffrey turns three!



I so enjoyed the chance to hang out with Jacob and Jeffrey. Since they live a few hours away, we don't get the kind of quality time with them that we get with Aaron, William and Henri. I can't wait to do it again!