Sofia at 3 1/2!

So our girl is officially 31/2! It's still hard for us to believe that she was just a tiny baby not so long ago when she no can pretty much dress and undress herself, is fully potty trained (we don't even have a diaper in the house) and sometimes acts more like she's 14 than 31/2. She still loves grilled cheese, which is easily her favorite food, and is slowly starting to try meat, with chicken dipped in BBQ sauce and will take a bite or two of steak. She still loves salmon and shrimp and we both love the garlic broccoli I make often. She actually eats the sauted garlic slices by themselves and will also eat a raw onion slice while I'm cooking (I used to think she did it to shock me, but she keeps doing it).

She still has a very active imagination and tells just about everyone that she's 4 (sometimes she says she's 11) and often that her name is "Sarah" or "Caroline"...we're not really sure where she got the names from, but she usually returns to "Sofia" after a day or two. Thomas Train and trains in general are still a huge part of her enjoyment and she literally plays for hours every day with her trains and train track set up on the floor. She crawls all over the track pushing her trains around and creating a narrative. We were a little afraid that peer pressure at school would steer her away from trains and toward dolls, but she hasn't budged. She sometimes says things like "blue is a boy color" or "dolls are for girls" but has never then played with her dolls (other than for a day or so before returning to trains).

About a month ago, we all were driving on a Saturday afternoon into Dallas to meet some friends for dinner when Sofia said from the back "When do I get to see Mimi? I miss her!" It was so out of the blue that both CK and I were stunned and we tried to explain that Mimi is watching from Heaven and that we'll see her when we die (minor stuff for a 3 year old, right?!) After our explanation, Sofia said "Well, when will I die because I really want to see Mimi." It was so sweet and heartbreaking. I've enjoyed talking about Mimi to Sofia - not just stories of them together but stories of her childhood that I only know through being told. I really want her to remember her Mimi and have some memories of their time together.


Our big girl


A big smile. She's FINALLY smiling when I ask her to, although it isn't always genuine, but I'll take it.


Pensive..


I love this picture. I took it just before the baby shower I threw for a friend and I feel like it's a glimpse into how Sofia will look in a few years....she just looks older beyond her years to me.


Her favorite - Grilled Cheese!


And her other favorite - trains!


Although rare, she still loves a good nap and always cuddles with Green Beup Beup for bedtime. Yes, she still sucks her thumb and plays with her belly button too....


Walking on the "balance beam" at Central Market


At the library picking out books - another favorite thing that we usually do every 2-3 weeks. Lately she's enjoyed the Clifford books, but also loves her regulars too.


Such a big girl!!

Play Date with Matheus

Sofia goes to school with a boy named Matheus and they have become quick friends. At the beginning of the year, Ms. Christina, Sofia's teacher, told me that Sofia and Matheus argued a lot and sometimes had to be separated. However, at some point after the first few weeks, Matheus and Sofia became nearly inseparable. Maria, Matheus' Mom even tells Matheus that Sofia will be at school in order to get him ready to go. Matheus has invited Sofia over to his house for play dates regularly (he asks every time I pick Sofia up at school) and I've enjoyed getting to know Maria while Matheus and Sofia play together. On our most recent play date, Maria decided to have the kids do a few crafts, which started with finger painting and then they made ocean scenes with rice as sand and marshmallows as clouds. They had a great time (aside from wanting to eat the clouds).

Lunch! Yum!


Arts and craft time


Adding "sand" to their seaside landscapes


Sofia tells the story of her drawing


The finished product

Trains!!!

On Sunday January 16th, we took Sofia to the train exhibit in Plano, which we'd visited the year before. However, this year we couldn't tell her beforehand because we knew she wouldn't be able to think or talk about anything else. So, after a delicious lunch at the Urban Crust in downtown Plano (excellent pizza), we drove to Plano Centre and CK told Sofia why we were there once we got out of the car. She was SO excited, especially once she saw the small train that she could ride on. So, we went inside and she immediately wanted to ride the train, however, without either of us (which was fine since it was COLD and misty and we both preferred staying warm. So, off she went and was so very happy! Then, we headed into the miniature train exhibit hall, which has fantastic set ups with incredible detail. The only probably is that one of us had to carry Sofia for her to see anything. Soon she wanted to return to the first room, which has the larger scale "garden train" set up. We probably ended up spending most of our time watching the "garden trains" before going for yet another ride on the train. She had such a fun day and it was great to experience the show once again this year.

All set to go for her train ride.


Watching the trains go by with Papa


With Mom


Watching the "garden trains" with Papa


One last ride on the train.....in the caboose, her favorite!

The BIG Present from Grandma and Grandpa!

Sofia received an amazing present from Grandma and Grandpa and watching her open it was worth it all. She'd originally asked Santa for a train set, and then later switched her choice to a pony house, which was a good one since we found out Grandma and Grandpa bought her a fantastic train set. So, here is the video of her opening it, which is really great! Enjoy!

Happy New Year 2011

For New Year's Eve we met a big group of friends out for dinner at Love & War in Texas for BBQ and friendship. Sofia sat at the far end of the table with the kids of the group and enjoyed playing with her friend, Sophie, who is just over a year older. After we finished eating, Sofia and Sophie danced to the live music that played in the restaurant and played in the lobby while a few of us continued to talk and catch up.

YUM!


CK and I


Sophie, "Uncle" Forrest and Sofia.....Sophie calls Forrest "Uncle Forrest" (which he is to her) and now Sofia calls him the same, which is cute.


Two generations of friends....