Sofia's first day of school!!

Sofia's first day of school was yesterday and I'm still torn at the idea of sending off our little baby to 'school' even if it's twice a week from 9am to 2pm! However, I am getting used to the idea of having a few hours to myself.....

Yesterday, Sofia woke up at her regular 7:30am time, despite the very late arrival home the night before from Atlanta. She was in a great mood and she kept agreeing that she was ready for school when I'd ask, but I'm not convinced she had any idea what that really meant. We ate breakfast, got dressed and actually made it out the door on time (even after taking pictures). The school is about a 10 minute drive away and ironically we were the first ones to arrive to her class! We're never on time anywhere and certainly never ever early! Her teachers each gave her a hug and helped her feel very welcome, which was very reassuring. Once she found a seat at the table, she started playing with linking blocks that were set out. I watched from the side window with another mom as the class of eight got settled in and played with the blocks. Sofia was having fun and seemed happy. I stayed for about a half an hour and left as they were lining up to wash hands and have a snack. It was very hard to leave her there, but great to watch her interact with other kids and the teachers.

When I picked her up she was happy to see me and gave me a huge hug! As we walked toward our car I kept asking her how her day was and what she did and about all I got was that she was told to sit indian style instead of having her legs stick straight out.... I then tried to coax out her day by telling her about my day. I told her about the errands I ran and then asked what she did. She said "Well, I went to CVS and picked up a few things, then Papa's jacket was broken so I took that in. Yep, that's about it." So, still no word on what exactly she did but when we ask if she had fun she always says "yes"!

On the previous Friday we visited the school's open house so Sofia could meet her teachers and see her classroom.


The usual morning chocolate milk


Our little girl is growing up.....


Her airplane backpack


Heading down the walkway


I love this picture, although it's bittersweet....


Little Spanish Schoolhouse gal


Walking down the hall to her class "Argentina"


Saying "Beunos Dias" to her teacher


Finding her name tag so she can hang her backpack and lunch bag


As I left her - playing.

Meeting her cousin Jillian

Sofia newest cousin who was born on August 11th and we flew to Atlanta on Friday the 13th to meet little Jillian and congratulate Sofia's Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Jay. Grandpa and Grandma were there as well, so it was a fun time to share the little lady's first weekend together.

Love at first sight! Sofia immediately wanted to hug and kiss the baby.


Proud Uncle


Sofia holds baby Jillian. She was so careful and loving to her, which was very adorable.


Happy grandparents


Sofia and her Grandma


Holding Jillian before we head back to Texas.

The Ft Worth Children's Museum

On Thursday August 12th, Sofia and I went to the Ft. Worth Children's Museum with my friend Jen and her son 21/2 year old Jonah, and 1-year old, Eden. It was a first visit for all of us and I can't believe we haven't made it there before - it was fantastic! Each area had something fun for kids and the layout was perfect for having a museum full of kids and parents, yet not feeling crowded. It was another blistering hot day, so it felt great to be inside in the air conditioning while the kids ran around and played. feel of not being very crowded. We first visited the Innovation Studios, where Sofia built a flying object out of a paper plate and tested it out in the wind tunnel. Then we went into the Dinolab and learned about dinosaurs, and finally we made it into the Children's Museum where a small children's play nursery was set up as well as a fabulous train section. Sofia made a beeline for the trains, and never looked back!

Watching her paper plate craft fly


With Jonah at the entrance


The alligator entrance of the Children's Museum


Trains! Sofia was in heaven! She loved crawling under the table and getting into the openings to continue playing


Showing Eden Green Beup Beup. Eden was in love with Green and she reminded me of when Sofia first fell in love with her buddy. Sofia was surprisingly acceptable of Eden's attention to Green Beup Beup.


Cooling off! I couldn't resist Sofia's pleas to run into the fountain and she had a very fun time - I just wish I could have joined her. It was SO hot outside. After we reached the car, she fell fast asleep and slept for over an hour.

Sofia's 3 Year Old Pictures

On Monday August 9th, Sofia and I headed to Sear's for her annual pictures. The photographer was the same woman from last year and remembered Sofia. She was shocked at how much she'd grown up and how much hair she had compared to a year ago. Sofia did a great job hamming it up, although when the photographer told her to say "Ice cream" (to smile), Sofia corrected her and said, "No, I say 'Cheese.'" She worked well for awhile, but then Sofia started to become a bit uncooperative, and would do basically exactly the opposite of what we asked of her. The photographer even said "I remember last year and how good she was for a two year old. I guess now she's three...." and that was all that really had to be said. She did get a few really adorable pictures of Sofia, though and we're looking forward to picking up the pictures!

Sofia and her buddy, Green Beup-Beup

A Day in the Life of a Birthday Girl

Since we already celebrated Sofia's birthday with the pool party on Saturday, I decided to have her real birthday be all about whatever she wanted to do.  Normally we go to the gym, run errands, or hang out at the house and despite going to the park, playing, or going swimming once CK is home, it's not exactly whatever she wants.  I suggested going to the zoo or aquarium but she was pretty lukewarm on either idea, so I just decided to wait until that morning to see what she thought.  She woke up, had her customary sippy of Ovaltine and played with her Thomas trains (what she does pretty much every morning).  When I asked what she wanted to do, she said she wanted to play at the park, so we packed up, stopped by Einstein Bagels and headed to the park to eat them and play.  We were able to spend almost two hours there!   She did it all - the slides, swings, climbing wall, climbing fence, visited the pond to feed the turtles and fish, etc.

Our new fridge was being delivered so we had to be home for that, unfortunately.  So, we headed home and played until we had lunch - leftover lasagna and strawberries.  After lunch, Sofia wanted to play with Play Doh, so we played with that for a while until she got tired and took a short nap.  After her nap, we headed to the grocery store to pick up her birthday cake and along the way stopped at Starbucks for a cool drink.  While we waited for Sofia's Papa to get home from work, Sofia put on her swimsuit and played in the pool.  We had dinner, then presents!  The first one she opened was from Chester, Allison and Dawson and was a Thomas train beginner set.  She wanted to play with her new set of track and Thomas and wasn't interested in opening any more presents!  We had to coax her along with each new present - she was completely happy to open her gift and play with each one.  Finally, she opened her two gifts from us - a car garage and a G series battery operated train.   After present opening, we sang Sofia Happy Birthday and she blew out her candle before we dug into her frog cake and vanilla ice cream.

Playing with her trains, including her newest train and
chicken flatcars (with real noise) from John and Lynn!

At the park enjoying her chocolate chip
bagel (I don't even think they had those when I was
growing up).  It was delicious!  

YUM!

Sofia loves the slide!

She became really good at climbing up
and down this

Our pretty THREE year old!

Sofia's second favorite - the climbing wall

Yum!  Lunch - leftover lasagna and strawberries.

One of her favorite things - playing with Play Doh

Enjoying a Starbucks chocolate milk

Happy Birthday cake - Ribbit!

A little birthday pool time.  She makes "protein butter"
and leaves "food" out for the birds.

Opening her first present - a Thomas Train - she didn't want to
continue opening presents after that!

Playing with her toys

Blowing out her candle

Singing Happy Birthday

Yum, birthday cake!

Setting up her new train with Papa

A very happy three year old....