Fun at the Foot of the Stairs

The foot of the stairs was where it was AT at Nana and Papa's house. Sophie has no interest in climbing stairs (for now), so we let this happen. Cousin Evan played along.

"I need to take a call."

"A little privacy, please?"

"Seriously, I mean it."

Sophie Family Time

Getting some one-on-one time with Aunt Kelley.

She still loves that tissue paper!

Nana was a big help at bedtime (and pretty much anytime, really). We all were so sick and miserable while away, we were lucky to have such nice people taking care of us!

Fancy Georgia Goes to the Theatre

So our kid-friendly cultural intake has taken a dive since LilyJ's mom moved to Cambodia. She just knew when cool things were happening and always seemed ok with us always tagging along. But yesterday morning, when Sophie got mommy up at 5am again, it did afford me the opportunity to read some of the newspaper. This was when I read that "Knuffle Bunny: The Musical" was playing nearby - in fact, ending its run the very next day. Unbelievably I was able to snag the very last two tickets - probably the only benefit to being up at 5am on a Saturday. So G and I got to go this afternoon. Here she is taking in the awesomeness of that really big-deal arts center in our town - you know what I'm talking about.

The family theater is quite small - every seat was good, but being a little further from the stage protected us from any Disney Princesses on Ice-type disasters you might recall.

The little girl next to us was named Elly Jane and her mother kept begging her to take off the beret. And the fur vest. Begging. It was quite funny to eavesdrop on.

What can we say, it was very exciting before the curtain went up.

The show was good - G was a little put off by Trixie's extended crying scene and made the move from her own seat (the one that kept flapping up because she is still too small to hold down a seat by herself) and into my lap. All the better for my blubbering when the Dad sang "Really, Really Love You" - I could hide behind her hair when I was tearing up. Afterwards we walked around the place and Georgia admired the large hall and all the red carpeting.

Our first real trip to the theater was a success. Tonight at dinner she actually said her highlight of the day was the play, which is a big deal since she usually makes up something that didn't actually happen and then tells us that was her highlight. I'm counting this as a big success!

Sophie Looks Good in...

Well, she looks good in EVERYTHING, but turquoise might just be her color.

 Yeah, the thumbsucking is pretty much the very best.

Sophie Gets Presents!

Georgia was remarkably restrained during the present portion of Sophie's birthday party. She did punctuate most gift-openings with, "CAN I PLAY WITH SOPHIE'S TOY?" But on the whole, she seemed to understand that it was Sophie's birthday.

Sophie appreciated all the cool gifts, but particularly loved the tissue paper.

The cousins get in on the action.

Happy Birthday to Our Soph-A-Doph

This year, we drove home for the holidays on Sophie's first birthday. The very next day, Nana and Papa hosted a big bash for her and welcomed Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Kelley and cousins Avery and Evan for the party. There was even a separate smash cake - Sophie made good use of it, scroll down to see.

"Hmm, what should I do here?"

"Oh that tastes pretty good."

"Maybe just a little more."

"Thanks for cutting me a piece, now I get the whole picture."

Georgia stands by for any assistance that may be required.

"I am getting the hang of this now."

OVERHEARD: In the car

On the way home from school yesterday...

Georgia: Mommy, I went to school as a little girl but now I am a princess and I live in that princess castle [points to a church out the window] and there is a room in my castle with all of the things that I will need as a princess in my princess castle.

Mom: What things do princesses need?

Georgia: We need a pretty bed with very pretty sheets and a lamp and cars and many many books and a baby princess with baby princess clothes and sheets that are fluffy!