Sophie Patrice

My baby is five today.

FIVE YEARS OLD.

No more baby. No more toddler. BIG. GIRL.

Love this face, this smile, this child.

Love where we've been, where we are, and where she's taking us.

Love watching her grow and go, go and grow, touching all she meets with light and love.

Happy birthday, my Sophie Patrice.

My BABY. (Always.)

We love you.

Birthday Party

Sophie's birthday party was today. We invited her entire class of 22 students. Four showed up. I was so worried she would be disappointed, but I don't think she even noticed. (Plus with her sister, cousin Cadin, and buddies Sam and Henry there as well, we still had a pretty good-sized group.)

Fun was had, magic was made, (many) cupcakes were consumed, and all was well.

And in six days, my "baby" officially turns five years old. DEAR. LORD.

Birthday girl!

That is the smile of a happy girl(s).

Our friend Ryan performed a great magic act for the kids and let them in on some of his magician secrets.

Sophie shows off her balloon animal.

The princess and her new baby doll in their matching nightgowns.

School Pics...Dig it.

If I have no face, can anybody see me?

Sophie likes to play the "Which would you rather?" game. Here was her version today...

Soph: "Which would you rather do...go to the public, or climb a tree and get your face eaten off by a mean monster?"
Me: "Um, I think I'd rather go out in public."
Soph: "Ugh! Gross! Not me. I'd rather climb a tree!"
Me: "Well, I know how much you love trees, but the part about the monster sort of scared me off."
Soph: "Yes. That is very scary and it would hurt a lot and you would probably die. But it's much better than going to the public."
Me: "Sophie, what do you think 'going to the public' means?"
Soph: "Like going up in front of all the people and having to talk and sing and stuff. And they SEE you, Mommy. They SEE you."

I'm not sure this one is going into the family business.

Turning Thoughts Into Practice...

I love this. I am this. I live this.

Every. Day.

Please read this.

Halloween Photos: A Timeline

Our first trick-or-treaters (like, ever) begin to arrive.

Prep time!

The girls strike a pose.

Our little Minnie Mouse!

Midnight Mischief and Minnie put on their best scary faces. (I think one girl clearly has the edge here...)

Daddy and his evil spawn...

The girls in front of the coolest house ever.

Our two tired trick-or-treaters catch their breath in a neighbor's graveyard. (Oh, the irony.)