Fun on the Farm with Grandpa and Grandma

While CK and I enjoyed a fabulous week in St. John together, Sofia was busy having a grand time with her Grandpa and Grandma in Florida! In fact, most of the times we called she'd talk to us for a while and then "had to go...." Her grandparents kept her very busy and she obviously loved every second of it! I left a camera to capture their fun and thankfully Sofia's Grandma took lots of pictures (as did Sofia, but most of those were deleted since they were mainly of the trees or grass on the farm). It sounds like Grandma and Grandpa thoroughly enjoyed Sofia and Sofia had a great time and didn't miss us while we were gone! Here are some photos of their fun together:

Sofia and her Papa in the Cub (the afternoon before we flew to St. John)


Chocolate ice cream - Sofia's favorite!


With Grandma and the new dolls Grandma and Grandpa bought her


Playing catch with Grandpa


Riding on the Gator, a nightly excursion. This is one of Sofia's very favorite things to do!


Playing in the sand - another of Sofia's favorites!


Watching a Thomas Train video on Youtube with her Grandpa, which was a nightly ritual after her bath and before bed. What a lucky girl!


Drawing and playing with Jesse, Bryce and Hudson, and their Mom Keara.


"Driving" the tractor (maybe someday)


Exploring the Farm. She was always wanting to find coyotes, I guess because they do live near the farm and have been spotted before.


Visiting Amelia and driving her little car around. Apparently, Sofia loved it!


Playing with Amelia

Life's a Beach!

One of the highlights of the week with Grandpa and Grandma was her visit to the beach! Her Grandma and Grandma's friend Diane took Sofia for an over night stay at the beach! Each time we've visited the ocean, Sofia has been fearful of going near the water, probably because it's so big and moves so much. This time, however, she apparently was quickly comfortable with the idea and before long was as comfortable as a fish! I love that she enjoyed it and isn't afraid and I'm sure it was a huge help that she was with her Grandma instead of us. As usual, she loved playing in the sand, as well. I love these pictures and I can almost feel how much fun she had during her time at the beach with her Grandma and Diane!

All set for the beach!


Heading out to the sand....


In the water!!!!


Weeeeee. Obviously having such a great time!


Building sand castles with Diane





Very focused!


Walking on the beach....


With Grandma! (Such a great picture!)


Sofia's buddy, Mrs. Diane (I think Sofia probably took this picture)

Fun with Cousins

Toward the end of her week with Grandpa and Grandma, Sofia's Aunt Cynthia and cousins Chandler and Jillian arrived! Sofia had so much fun playing with Chandler and Jillian and they had a lot of fun together.

Reading with Chandler while Jillian watches


Everyone looks very content just reading and playing together.


Aunt Cynthia, Chandler, Jillian and Sofia picked CK and me up at the airport, after our trip! It was so great to see Sofia and she was just as happy to see us. Once we got our luggage, we gave Chandler and Sofia a "ride" out to Cynthia's car.


Gator ride with Papa and Chandler


Weeeeee!


Exploring the far field and looking for coyotes....


Playing together in the field


CK shows Sofia and Chandler how to big grass to chew


Swimming with Chandler in Grandpa and Grandma's new pool! Hours of fun.


Sofia and her buddy, the yard duck


With Grandpa, Chandler and Jillian on yet another Gator ride. Sofia can't get enough!


Her first driving lessons with Papa


Riding on a horse with Mrs. Leslie from across the street - Sofia loved it!


Enjoying the ride


Big buddies!

Sofia's End of School Program

As usual, Sofia never even mentioned her class' plan for their End of School Program, but I knew from other Mom's that there was some dancing involved and they had been working on it for a while. I ensured that she got a good nap that afternoon (which allowed for me to pack for our vacation departure in the morning) so she'd be in top form. We arrived at the auditorium and I helped her get into her costume, after picking out decent seats for CK and I to watch. All of her classmates looked so cute and the costumes were perfect for traditional Latin American kids. After she was dressed and ready, I joined CK in the audience and we patiently waited for the program to begin, and especially for her class "Argentina" to do their dance!

It was such a great program with all of the kids marching out and singing a welcome song as they walked the perimeter of the auditorium. Then, the real program began with three classes performing before Sofia's class. Finally, "Argentina" was up and in their places and Sofia looked like she was born on a stage. I couldn't believe how comfortable she was in front of so many people (it was not only a full house, but standing room in the back)! Then they started! She was so enthusiastic, it was great and she was right up front, next to her friend Mattheus. First they danced to "Una mano aqui, una mano alla" and she was so excited she stayed a little ahead of her friends, but did it all so well. Their second dance was to "Yo no fui" and was amazing! (See videos postings). When all the boys went down on one knee and the girls started dancing around them, the crowd went wild! Again, Sofia and Mattheus were right up front and were really outstanding! We had no idea Sofia could move so well and she obviously got rhythm from somewhere! It was such fun to watch!

After her class was done dancing, three more classes sang/danced and then the entire school got on stage and danced. I didn't get any good close-ups of Sofia at the school song because she was sitting on the floor. It was such a fantastic program! Afterwords, we went out to pizza with Mattheus and his parents and older brother, and Colin, his Mom and brothers (they are triplets!). It was a fun night and great to unwind after a fabulous performance!

Sofia and Mrs. Maria, Mattheus Mom. We've had many play dates over at Maria's house and Sofia is the little girl Maria never had. She loves Mrs. Maria and always gives her a big hug


Patiently waiting for her other classmates to get ready


Most of her class and Ms. Christina, one of two of her teachers (wearing blue)


Up on the stage, waiting to begin


And they start!


Such enthusiasm!


The entire school at the end of the program


A tired girl leaving the auditorium with her Papa

Sofia's End of Year Dance, 1

Sofia's End of the Year dance program with her 3-year old class remained a mystery, just like her Christmas dance. She never mentioned it, wouldn't talk about what they planned to do, and never danced in front of us at home. She did spent a few weeks pretending that I was her "dance instructor" so I knew she must be practicing pretty hard at school for a dance. Here is the first dance her class did. I love her enthusiasm, even if she stays a little ahead of her classmates in her dance moves.

Here is her class dancing to "Una mano aqui, una mano alla"

Sofia's End of Year Dance, 2

Now, this is just brilliant! This is her class' second dance and it completely blew us away, as well as the rest of the crowd! Her partner is her friend, Mattheus, and he is obviously just as enthusiastic about the dance (especially in the beginning). They did such a great job and we have NO idea where she got her great rhythm from! Must be a recessive gene from long ago! The song is "Yo no fui." Enjoy!

6 Months Pregnant!

As of May 13th, I'm officially 6 months pregnant! I just can't believe how quickly it's going by and realize that this baby will be here before we know it. It's really been a smooth pregnancy, very much like my pregnancy with Sofia (thus, we were fairly certain it was another girl). I've really felt great and am trying to enjoy every movement and feeling, since I know this will be the last time I am pregnant. My belly usually starts out fairly "small" in the morning and by the evening it seems to have grown a lot! I've gained 12 lbs and feel good (other than some vericose/spider veins on my left leg). My right leg has been fine and I know that most of what I see and feel on my leg will disappear after the baby arrives. I feel her kick around pretty regularly, especially after I eat and when I am lounging around in the evening. Although she's not quite a pound yet, she really seems to move around a lot compared to Sofia. It's been smooth so far and I hope the rest of the pregnancy continues just as easily.

My belly mid-morning. Thanks to my trusty photographer, Sofia! It would be nice to see my head, but that isn't in her photographic expertise.


From the other side


From the front.

Mother's Day 2011

This year, Mother's Day was very bitter sweet, as I enjoyed such a lovely day with CK and Sofia, yet thought of my Mom and how much I miss having her to talk to and spend time with. I really missed her a lot on Mother's Day and thought of all my happy memories of her. My day started out with the best thing I could have ever gotten - a handmade card from CK and Sofia with a picture of Sofia and I and a picture of my Mom and Sofia. The card was titled "Thank Goodness for Mommies" and thanked me for all that I do to be a Mommy. It was so touching! Being a Mom was the most important thing in my Mom's life and I know it's the most important in mine as well.

That morning, during Meeting, Sofia was playing with a little hand-held magnetic doodle pad and wrote "Mom" over and over! I was so shocked and CK said he didn't teach her. She also wrote "Papa" a few times, which we weren't aware she could do either. It was a great surprise, especially on Mother's Day! After Meeting, CK took Sofia and I to "surprise" reservations for brunch at a downtown restaurant called Screen Door. It was fabulous! The food was outstanding and the restaurant was very comfortable, not overcrowded at all, and we enjoyed a very relaxed brunch. Sofia had the waffle and I think CK and I were both a little envious - it was great.

After brunch, Sofia played in the fountain (along with a group of other kids), while we waited for our car. Sofia loved it and I think we could have probably left her there and she wouldn't have noticed. Of course, what started out as dipping her feet in the water and touching the fountain soon turned into a very wet, but happy, girl.

That afternoon, after everyone enjoyed a nap, CK and Sofia gave me presents and completely spoiled me, as usual. CK got me a beautiful pregnancy outfit that I can't wait to wear (and plan to wear for vacation). It's so cute and I look forward to getting a lot of wear out of it these next few months! Sofia, after wanting to get me a stuffed Mallard duck that quacks, was somehow convinced that a insulated picnic tote was far more useful. The picnic tote is perfect and includes everything - glasses, plates, silverware, napkins and even a little cutting board and knife. It's great and since we've been meeting at the park for picnics with my Mommy friends, I can't wait to put it to use!

That evening CK's cousin Scott, who newly relocated to Texas from Florida came over and we hung out and had pizza. It was great to catch up with him and we are excited to have he and his family living about 30 or so minutes from us.

By the end of Mother's Day I'd thought a lot about how I could honor my Mom by doing something that she would have loved. She and Sofia used to have a "tea party" every time they were together and she hosted tea parties for a lot of the grandkids and even my Aunt's grandkids. So, I decided that I would like to host a Mother-Daughter tea from now on to celebrate Mom's life and remember the things she loved to do: entertain, cook great good, and be with those she loved. I know Mom would love it.

MOM!!


Sofia and I at Screen Door...I tease CK that my Mother's Day picture with Sofia is the one and only photo that he takes of us for the year....mostly we just take pictures of Sofia!


Look at that waffle - yum!


Post brunch happiness


Sofia just sticking her feet into the fountain pool


A happy girl


Touching the fountain...


and jumping into the water.


With a soggy girl - Happy Mother's Day!