Meet Charlie...

We're very happy to welcome little Charlie, our happy little magical scout elf all the way from the North Pole!



Today I decided to pick up "Elf on the Shelf" from the store (SH&G)...Rod & I decided that this was the year to start Sophia on the tradition! I learned of EOTS last year at market (2008) when I made my semi-annual voyage in January. It's the most clever little idea that is making someone very, very rich. It's one of those products that you slap your forehead thinking, "that's so smart - why didn't I think of that!?". We bought them for all 3 stores last year & sold out FAST! I almost got one last year, but figured Sophia was still just too young to really 'get it'. I knew that her little imagination was just right to handle it now. For example, she'll have pretend phone conversations on her little phones, or cook something for an imaginary customer at her little kitchen. Timing was perfect this year. So, I trotted home with EOTS in hand & couldn't wait til the bedtime routine kicked in! The great thing about EOTS is that not only do you get the little elf in the box, but it comes with a CUTE story book that you read to your kids that explains the whole thing. It's precious. Felt bad as Rod missed out b/c he's sick. Sophia got decked out in her little 'Santa's Helper' pj's (c'mon people, it's time to festive!) & she crawled into my lap to read the story. Her little eyes lit up with every page. After much deliberation, we settled on the name "Charlie" for our little elf. After tucking Sophia in, Rod & I went to work on finding Charlie a little place to hang out...can't wait to watch Sophia find him in the morning! Tee hee...







Here's the general jist of EOTS: the special scout elf was sent by Santa to keep watch on your kids' behavior. Each night after they go to sleep, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report the behavior to Santa. By the time the kids awake, the elf is back 'home' in your house. The idea is that the parents or grandparents move the elf to a different spot in the house each night, so the children can get up to find the elf...the elf can be dangling from the chandelier, sitting on the mantle, clinging to a picture frame, etc. Maybe he's even sitting in one of the kids toy cars/trucks...the possibilities are endless. However, the trick is that the kids cannot touch the elf, otherwise, he'll lose his magic. In order for the elf to come to 'life' with magic, the kids must choose a name for the elf & whisper it to the elf (not too close though!). EOTS has a whole website that you can register the elf's name, get a certificate, etc. You can even play games, tour the N. Pole, make cookies for Santa - the site is FABULOUS! Sophia particularly likes the Elf Registry area as we pretend to ride down the slide (it's an animated little site). Each ride was complete with our arms up in the air saying, "WEEEEE!"!

I highly recommend going to Southern Homes & Gardens to pick up your own little elf!

C is for Cookie!

And cookies are for ME! During our little Publix shopping trip (see older post below), I asked Sophia if she'd like to help me make some cookies, & she was right on board with that idea! I went simple (Mom, cover your eyes...) it was the Pillsbury Ready-to-bake 24pk of cookies. Gasp! My mother has the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe that she knows by heart (I was a chubby girl growing up, wonder why?) and she passed the delish recipe down to me. However, involving a 2.5yr old in measuring flour, sugar, etc. is a disaster I just wasn't prepared to handle that day. HA! Sophia loved putting on her little apron, & standing up on her little chair to help me place the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet - this was a perfect little project for her age! I'd break them apart & let her place them however she wanted to on the cookie sheet...they all ended up in a wandering mamba-style line! So then we counted off 3 cookies to go in the top row, then 3 more for the next row & so on. I couldn't believe that I was teaching her basic math...I may have broken out in hives as I've declared with pride before - I'm just too cute for math! It was my worst subject growing up. Let's hope she has better luck...sigh, I digress. We finished up the first cookie sheet & I placed them in the oven. We watch them in the oven window "grow" & then she wanted them out to taste one. After they cooled, she got to sink her little teeny tiny teeth into the gooey cookie (& so did I)...they were delish! We had so much fun doing our little project together!

Santa's Little Helper

I can't believe how big Sophia has gotten! She's close to 3 - where does the time go? As we pulled out the Christmas decorations last weekend, she was completely into wanting to help. I just wasn't as jazzed about doing it all this year for some reason? Retail tends to ruin the magic of the holidays a bit, as our store put up Christmas by Oct. 1! I've been listening to Christmas music all day long at work (against my will...usually I make myself wait until Nov.1, sigh!). I'm a bit jaded this year I think. Plus, last year I probably jacked myself up on caffeine & decorated everything while Sophia took a 3hr nap! Oh well, the show must go on! Rod was great as he put on some of our fave Christmas cd's while we unpacked it all. Luckily, the weather put me in the decorating mood too - cold, dreary & drizzly. As I always tell Rod, weather like that reminds me what it looks like right before the first snowfall up north. When I think of it that way, then I get more Christmas-sy. Weird, I know. This will be our 3rd Christmas in this house (UGH, I'm SOOOO over this house!!) & so I know just where everything goes. I whipped up the tree with the ribbon, stems, picks & ornaments in no time. Then it was getting all the other table-top stuff in it's proper place. One of my favorite pieces is our hand-painted ceramic nativity figurines that my mom painted & we displayed each Christmas during my childhood. She gave that to Rod & I our first Christmas, & it was just so special to me. I still unwrap it in the old discolored moving paper that is tattered & torn - the same paper that my mom always wrapped each piece in when Christmas was over. Now, I unwrap it & place it on our mantle - in a few more years, Sophia can help me. This year, she was super happy to get to sift thru the boxes of goodies asking 'Mommy, what's this?' or 'I don't like that' (infamous phrase as of lately!). We gave her a few special ornaments to hang (her Baby's First Christmas, Santa's Sleighbell from The Polar Express, etc.) She LOVED her new little job! We'd tell her to pick out the very best branch & then hang it carefully. She was quite pleased with each selection!

Personal Shopper

Last Sunday, Rod & I took Sophia to Storkland to find her Christmas dress & some dress shoes. We found a beautiful dress, matching dress shoes & a real-live shopping cart. Yes, you read that correctly. A flipping shopping cart. Rod couldn't resist when Sophia ran over to it & immediately started 'shopping' - she proceeding to find a baby doll & put her in the seat, then go around putting 'groceries' in it. I admit, it was pretty funny. However, I was trying to be the 'responsible' parent in trying to get the task of finding dress shoes that fit done. Rod was convinced we'd have to get the cart & I fought him on it as I thought it was silly to pay ____ (it's more than I care to share/admit!) well, let's just say it cost more than $20. So I continued to put up a fight claiming that we only needed to purchase what we actually went there for. I lost. Luckily, we still had to go to Publix to get some groceries...so, we were able to put Sophia to work in the grocery store - HA! We gave her a fake grocery list (as she's all about mimicking Mommy these days)...& voila! We had our personal shopper....everyone in Publix was killing themselves laughing - including us. Sophia felt like such a big girl!

The Uncommon Finch

One of my dear Sigma Kappa sisters in my pledge class from Auburn emailed several of us girls last week & shared the link to her newest baby, The Uncommon Finch - it's her line of gorgeous handmade jewelry. After perusing the site, I was blown away! I had no idea that she had this sort of talent, but her pieces are amazing! This newest venture was born out of the poor economy where she was an accomplished architect & was laid off - she struggled & prayed for the right door to open (meanwhile downsizing & working several other jobs to make ends meet). She even began taking metalsmithing classes to learn to work metal into fine pieces...jewelry was always a big part of who Catherine was (& is!), but we're all so proud of her for making something so beautiful out of a very dark period of her life! She has several lines that she's started (with very clever titles) & there is truly something there for everyone ranging from simplistic to exotic in earrings, necklaces, bracelets & more. She's just launched her site, so please take the time to check it out...you may just find something fabulous for your friend or even for yourself. She'll even make custom pieces...& that's a good thing, because I've got a few ideas up my sleeve for her!

http://www.theuncommonfinch.com/index2.html

Happy Halloween!

It's hard to believe this was Sophia's 3rd Halloween! We've gone from being a Pea in the Pod (not even crawling)to a Ballerina (the chubbiest & cutest!) to our little Minnie Mouse who was capable of shouting "Trick or Treat"! Ah, we're just so proud. HA! We'd been trying to prep Sophia this year on 'what to do' - wearing a costume, carrying a bucket, ringing a doorbell, saying "Trick or Treat" & then "thank you". We accomplished most of that list...not too shabby! We had made plans to take Sophia by the grandparents houses that afternoon to let her do some practice runs & to let them have some photo opps. We arrived at Lopez's first where she totally didn't want to wear the ears, carry the bag or ring the doorbell. Fantastic. We even completed the mission by not wanting candy. Fail. However, we were able to get some sweet photos of Sophia with Patricia, Rafa & Gabby...the bonus was Devon showed up! This made Minnie's day! Next up we headed to the Schultz's where we had a repeat...at least she rang the doorbell here & was interested in receiving the goods from Nana's basket! This time she understood what was going into her bag & she wanted to taste it....like, NOW. A few photos & giggles later, we were off to Ava's house!

We had planned to get together with Crimi's at their house to do trick or treating & to have dinner. Upon arrival, the girls squealed at each others costumes & decided to play. We quickly gathered the goods for the trailer ride around the neighborhood with some other friends & off we went. It was much colder than we expected, so in total we gathered treats for about an hour I'm guessing. The girls had fun riding on the trailer & seeing all the other kids' costumes. They did very well & were the most polite children out there...of course! Afterwards we headed back to Crimi's where we changed the girls into their PJ's & warmed up eating some yummy homemade ziti, breadsticks & more. It was delish & we were all able to thaw out - BRR! The girls had a blast & Rod even assembled a fun fort out of blankets & chairs - they LOVED this...they were giggling going in & out & it was fun to watch.

I even opted to bring a Halloween favorite from my childhood that my mom would make, Ghosts in the Graveyard dessert. It was always fun to eat...however, I was too late in buying the supplies & couldn't find the pumpkins or candycorns. My cool whip ghosts were only one & he melted into the dirt....the disaster provided a great laugh & good lesson that I need to buy the supplies early next year. However, it tasted the same as I always remembered - deeeelish!! Here's the link to view it & to make it next year:

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/ghosts-in-the-graveyard-54472.aspx

Meeska, Mouska, Mickey Mouse!

Our whole family couldn't wait for October 18th, when we'd all go down to the MPAC to see Playhouse Disney Live! on tour...we'd been pumping up the big day for awhile to Sophia. It was her chance to see all the characters of her favorite morning Disney programs - Little Einsteins, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Handy Manny & of COURSE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with all the main characters! It was so funny that here we were taking our 2.5yr old to see these characters & thinking she was really excited, but the level of excitement in the theater completely changed when Mickey Mouse came onstage - young or old, it was like we were all 5 again - it was pure magic...and the faces of our kids were truly priceless! We attended the event with our partner family in crime, the Crimi's. Ava & Sophia had fun giggling & 'talking' about the characters sitting on their daddies laps - meanwhile Monica & I served as the family historians snapping the family memories. The girls had a blast (& so did we!)...Sophia even wore her upcoming Halloween costume, Minnie Mouse - sans ears...that just wasn't gonna happen. We had to even bribe her with M&M's to wear it - if you think you're above bribes, just become a parent & you'll quickly understand why we do it! Sophia was jazzed at the whole experience & even walked away with a new Mickey Mouse plush animal!

It was well-worth the investment & I believe the next time the show comes to the 'area' is next spring to Birmingham...we highly recommend it! The show was great as the adult people dressed in character, but they lip-synched to the chilren's voice from the show...this kept it as close to the show as possible as the kids recognized the characters by sight & voice. It was an interactive show where the kids helped the character by shouting answers to questions, etc. Lots of fun! We even got to do the Hot Dog dance with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gang - yay!

After our trip, Rod was set on whisking Sophia off to Disney World next spring, but I said 'not so fast'...I think we still have another year before it's worth THAT sort of investment - HA!

Yada, Yada, Yada

Here I sit dreading having to update this 'thing'...I think I might be in a mood today, not sure. However, lots has happened since our last post - sigh. It's been very eventful for little Miss Sophia for sure! The remainder of September brought some fun birthday parties for two of Sophia's friends, Ava Crimi as well as Sophia Minor. The parties were back-to-back on one weekend & so our little Sophia was completely partied out when all was said and done! It also brought a very fun trip courtesty of Nana & Papa to the Georgia Aquarium and of course, the pumpkin patch too!

Sophia at her BFF, Ava's party:


Sophia at Sophia M's birthday party in the inflatable jump-jump:



Next came our 2nd annual trip to the Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch in Clanton, AL. It's a fabulous little place that offers tractor-train rides, an inflatable jump-jump area, shopping, music, eats,facepainting, etc. all in addition to the pumpkin patch itself. Like last year, Sophia had a great time (aside from some tantrums, but hey, she's two - it's to be expected!) & so did we. We managed to snap some fun photos of Sophia trapesing (sp?) thru the patch to find the perfect pumpkin...just in time as it started to mist on us!

Next came a much anticipated trip to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta! Rod & I first visited the aquarium back on our first anniversary in 2008. We decided we'd go 'check it out' & take notes on the do's & don't's before we took Sophia. We both had such a great time that we knew in another year it'd be about time. So a year & a half later we went back - this time with Sophia & my parents. We arrived at lunchtime & proceeded to have all sorts of fun inside! Sophia loved running from window to window looking at all the fishies & watching them move, swim, eat, etc. It was sensory overload, but she loved it. She even ventured to the 'touch pools' where she experienced what different marine life felt like. We were proud of this accomplishment for sure. We watched the 3D/4D? show....however, Sophia didn't want to wear the shades they provide, but she was completely content watching a blurry movie without it. Go figure. Meanwhile, the rest of us had a great time grabbing at things in front of our faces like we were 5! When all was said & done, all of us were completely pooped & ready to drive home...what a FUN day!

Whew! I made it....now I'll be working on getting photos together of our trip to Playhouse Disney Live! that came to Montgomery and our Halloween photos...they are priceless!!

War Eagle!

Rod never spoke truer words than his marriage mantra: "A happy wife is a happy life"...he scored free Auburn tickets from a sweet girl in his office & we were able to go to the loveliest village on the Plains to watch Auburn vs. Mississippi State! Rod was to fulfill the only requirement of the ticket giver (Blair), by wearing orange & blue to the game - as many of you know Rod is a grad of that 'other' school...Auburn's rival, Alabama. The silver lining is that Rod got his degree from Alabama, but only ever attended the Tide's football games for the hotdogs. I swear. You give him free tickets to a football game & tell him what kind of 'goods' the concession stands will have, he'll be there with bells on, guaranteed. No questions asked. He fulfilled his promise to Blair & sported the colors - much to my delight. I practically bleed orange & blue & am a die-hard Auburn fan thru & thru! I better especially after being in the Auburn commercial my senior year & having my face plastered to every Tiger Transit on campus as part of the marketing campaign with the commercial!

Rod & I were able to drive up yesterday morning & walk up & down College Street to see all the new shops & peruse the campus bookstores...I love that town during gamedays! It's my favorite spot it the whole world! We also were able to meet up with two of my sweet Sigma Kappa sorority sisters too...we giggled & reminisced & drooled over the STILL cute Auburn firemen as they cruised thru campus on their orange & blue firetrucks...ha! Rod was able to visit with Jenni's husband Tyler & they were able to talk banking & finance...we joke they have a "financial bromance". How fitting!

Once inside the game we had a fantastic time sitting a section or two away from the roar of the student section & we had fun scarfing down stadium hot dogs, popcorn & more. We cheered Auburn on to their 2nd win of the season against Mississippi State...War Eagle! We hope to get back to Auburn before the season is over for another game or to tailgate with friends at the very least!

Student Driver

As most families do, we spent the Labor Day weekend at my in-laws lakehouse up on Lake Martin this past weekend. It was lots of fun & filled with some pretty funny memories. Sophia got to catch some rays at the neighborhood pool, see her Aunt Gabby & boyfriend, Devon too. She also got to visit with Devon's friend Graham (or as she refers to him: Graham Cracker). It's true. We arrived Saturday just prior to lunch & had fun hanging out downstairs with the college kids. Sophia was happy to show everyone her bike skills & even sweet talked them into playing "bumps" (aka "cars") with them. Meanwhile, Devon & I, who are often referred to as the "geeks" in the family, were busy updating our iPhones & iTouches with the latest Facebook & Twitter apps. Luckily, Devon is more up-to-date on that sort of thing & was able to get this chick up to speed. However, as we all visited downstairs, Rafa was in charge of the grill - let's just say he was paying more attention to the US Open on TV upstairs than the grill downstairs outside. Patricia noticed the heavy amount of smoke drifting upwards & we thought it seemed a tad heavy outside too. As we stood up to look outside, the pinestraw next to the grill was already ablaze. Seriously. The boys rushed outside & quickly extinguished the flames (only a few inches high, but dry pinestraw...whew!). The flames had already scorched a few rose bushes & had already traveled around & up past the stone wall towards the driveway. We were fortunate that only a flew plants & pinestraw bit the dust & the house nor anyone was hurt. Needless to say Patricia scolded Rafa in some very fast-talking Spanish, none of which I could even make out! Then if that wasn't bad enough, Rafa proceeded to then burn the veggies. Oops! Lunch was still edible & the day went on....only at the Lopez house! HA! Sunday brought us the glorious last day at the neighborhood pool where Sophia was more happy to sit (snacking of course!) & people-watch than to get her little body wet. Oh well...people watching was actually pretty fun that day. Afterwards, we hopped in the car to drive the 2.5 blocks to get to the lakehouse - yes, we pulled a "Britney". However, it was definitely not on a L.A. Freeway...we didn't even pass any cars...Sophia had the BEST time:

Sophia's First Day of School!

I cannot believe Sophia has already started her 2nd year of 'school'! Last year, she started at Frazer's MMO program with just one day per week. Soon, 2 more days opened up & so we added those on...it was the best decision we ever made. Sophia absolutely adored getting to 'go' to school & see her 'friends' & two sweet teachers. Granted last year was a lot of freeplay, some music time with the music teacher, etc. But this year, we moved UPstairs to the 2yr olds & 3yr olds wing...woo hoo! Last week Rod, Patricia & I attended orientation at Frazer to meet the new teachers & get acquainted with her classroom, etc. After we met her two new teachers & got to go into her 'classroom', we knew it was going to be PERFECT for her. She was going to L-O-V-E it this year! It was decorated like a 'real' classroom, laminated crayons on the wall to teach colors, laminated numbers to teach, well, duh! numbers, etc. There were two round tables with 7 chairs each....6 for the kiddies & 1 for the teacher...there was a book nook, play kitchen, cradle with babies & a truck center. Sophia was in for a super treat! What completed the night was that we found out one of her favorite friends (Lily) from last year, was also in her class this year! We trotted home that night all jazzed to fill her in the next morning. We really talked up going to 'school' again & how she was in a 'big girl' class with new teacher & lots of new friends, but not to worry b/c sweet Lily would be there too. (Insert hand claps, toothy grin & squeal of approval from Sophia here).

This morning was the big day. I went to greet her Highness in her room since she beckoned me in there...I asked her "Sophia, do you know where you get to go today?" and without hesitation, she squealed, "School!". It was the best Monday wake-up on record. Ever. She happily got changed, dressed & even gobbled up some breakfast (she's not really keen on that meal). We got dressed in our watermelon outfit & were set to go. Of course like any crazy mom, I had to continue the tradition of snapping some photos (voluntary or not) of the first day of school. Here's the one from my iPhone in the kitchen....



This spells out "I'm tired, & totally have a case of the Mondays"...so with a few bribes, we made it out the door for these cute photos:






Sophia upon arriving to school, trotted along the sidewalk, holding my hand & was delighted to get to push THE button at the door. We've all totally pushed THE button before...y'know, the handicapped button to automatically open the door? I'm totally guilty...& have pushed it even when my arms aren't full & I have no real reason to push it, but to just 'push' it. You know you've done it. Anyways, every single kid that attends Frazer has to push THE button...it's like it's a pre-req or something! Sophia pushed it & then proceeded to bolt on thru the lobby area as if she remembered where her old classroom was. Except this year we had to take a sharp right to go up the stairs to the promised land....a floor filled with more play forts, playhouses than you could imagine. I think her school wing has Toys R Us beat to be honest...it's a pretty sweet setup! She frolicked right on up to the door I pointed her to. However, it was like all hell broke loose in her classroom though...it was meltdown city in there. I silently freaked inside worried that Sophia would think that melting down was the 'in' thing to do...but she looked only slightly worried about all this crying business going on inside. I told her teacher that she knew Lily from last year & 'was she here yet?'....But of course Lily was there! Mrs Heather escorted Sophia straight over to her school buddy & from there I turned away & left...they like for you to leave without lots of fanfare which really truly is the best thing to do. However, as I signed Sophia in & exchanged pleasantries with her teachers, I couldn't help but to totally crack up inside because there was one poor poor little boy that was completely traumatized by being in this 'place'! As I signed Sophia in on the ledge of the half door, I could peer over & see this poor little boy completely WEDGED up to the hinges of the door & the wall!! He was wailing like I'd never seen. He was hunkered down like this was a Fallout Shelter or something...I'm pretty sure if the place was going up in flames, he could've put the fire out with his tears. Poor little guy! Of course it was only funny b/c it wasn't my child! Actually, it was HILARIOUS!! I was thinking that Sophia had it made!

I went to go pick Sophia up at 11:30, & guess everyone else picked up their kiddies early...oops. I could see Sophia's little bookbag hanging by it's lonesome outside the door, but she was happily chatting with her two teachers & music teacher! Ha! I peeked my head in & she came running to the door & gave me a great big hug & proceeded to chat all about her first day & what she did. They played alot & met everyone in the class. Then they went on their first of many Monday "field trips" down to the Frazer kitchen where they visit "MeMaw"...the elderly mother of one of Sophia's teachers. There, MeMaw makes & gives each of the students a little cookie. Of course Sophia was all about MeMaw! Sophia + Cookies = happy child! We said our goodbyes after receiving a GLOWING report from her teachers, gave them each hugs & trotted off with our red balloon & new bottle of bubbles. We chatted all the way home to Patricia's. Hilarious. Sophia was so jacked up on the school-high I semi-worried about her sitting down to eat lunch at Patricia's...let alone a nap! However, all went well at Patricia's whew! Now, we have to tackle the rest of the week with the same success!

Now, if only she can maintain this sort of unbridled enthusiasm throughout elementary, middle, high school & college...

Bikes, Big Girl Panties & Espanol!

We're now treading in uncertain water...we've now learned to push bike pedals with our feet (yay!), wear 'big girl panties' (with Elmo on them!) & we can even count to ten in Spanish all by ourselves! It's been a big week for Sophia! First brought us the revelation that after practicing a bit with Abuelita (Patricia), Sophia began to recite & count all her numbers to Patricia in Spanish! It's so exciting! The very same day we learned that Sophia could push her feet on the pedals to make them go around in circles & with a little push from Patricia, Sophia was off & riding on her little Radio Flyer trike/bike! Now, she is able to get on the bike all by herself & get herself going...she's so confident!



We also were able to get interested again in our potty chair...Sophia went THREE times at Patricia's house on Wednesday! With a few more prompts that evening the success continued. Thursday morning she woke up bone-dry (as she has been for about 2-3 months) & was excited when I asked her if she'd like to go & sit on her potty...she delighted in sitting there & then squealed when she heard the 'music' that plays when the child 'goes'. We clapped & gave hugs & then went to get the 'prize'...gummy bears! Afterwards, we let her put on her big girl panties & walk around...she was super pleased with herself. Since I knew the 'well' was empty at that point, I felt confident in letting her get dressed on top of her newfound big girl panties & ride in the car to Patricia's house....we arrived accident free! We have had pretty consistent success with potty training & only hope it continues.





Sophia starts back to school this Monday & will attend Frazer Kindergarten (it's what the whole 'school' is called) 5 days a week from 8:30-11:30 am. She attended 3 days a week last year & loved it. We felt good in letting her go everyday this year. We attended orientation this past Tuesday night & we are thrilled with her two sweet teachers & the FUN classroom they will have! Complete with little round tables & 'real' school chairs, Sophia will have a ball learning how to be the best little 2yr old she can be. She will be in a class with 11 other 2yr olds & we just cannot wait to hear how the first day goes. We are already looking forward to the little Spring Program next May that she'll get to participate in...we were told they begin working with the music teacher the first week of school & prepare all year for the little 15min program...how hilarious. That program will definitely be filmed!

2 Little Monkey's Jumpin' on the Bed

Last night was one of the best Friday nights on record as of lately - we had a very yummy pot roast dinner with all the fixin's with our friends Brendan, Monica & Ava. Thursday night Chef Rod went to work on putting the meal altogether so we could 'set it & forget it' when we both left for work yesterday....Mom, Rod's pot roast is going to give you a run for your money...it's delish! As usual, we did the impromptu invite to Crimi's for the evening & luckily, it was accepted. I picked up Sophia from Patricia's (aka, "Mom" & "Abuelita"....Sophia still call's her grandmother these names...it's confusing, I know)& asked her if she knew who was coming to see her 'tonight'. She shook her head 'no' & I whispered "Ava" - she SQUEALED with such delight & ran out of the kitchen to go find Patricia all while screaming "Ahhh! Moooooommmmm!!! Ava coming to Sophia's hooooouuuusssseee!!" By her excitement, you would have thought Santa was standing in front of her with Dora & Elmo! It was the cutest reaction I'd ever in my life seen. Crimi's arrived later & the girls were so tickled to see one another...they play so sweet together - sharing, helping, choosing, etc. They truely are best friends! They even eat together at Sophia's little white table that we bring into the kitchen during meals when Crimi's come over. Sophia even tried to set a 'good example' for Ava - showing her how to finish her dinner to make a "happy plate" so we could eat dessert! However, Ava was having none of it & opted out of some brownies. They then played some more, & then the daddies plunked them both in the tub for a mini 'splash bash'. Two clean little girls later, pj's & hair combed, they wanted to jump in Sophia's crib together, & here's the result:
Sophia cracked us up as she kept trying to sweep the hair out of her face (& fix Ava's at one point!), they were just beyond delighted to play together!

Sweet & Sour Sophia

Tonight we experienced what every single parent across the universe experiences: tantrums. Awesome to say the least. Sophia spent a day of pure bliss at my mother's (Nana) house. Luckily giving my poor mother in law, Patricia (aka "mom"/"abuelita") a break! Of course, since it was a change in Sophia's usual routine, it was like a vacation for her. She was having so much fun at Nana's (ahem, even sitting on the potty chair watching Noggin for 45mins...not moving a muscle - nor going potty as she claimed she had to!) to want to come home. She happily noshed on grapes en route home & then it was like a switch was flipped. So convenient. We battled over everything - juice or no juice, sit or stand, giggle or cry, etc, etc. Both Rod & I are tired from working all day & only ever want peace in our house for just one evening after work...did we do something so terribly wrong during our childhoods to deserve this behavior day after day? Well, maybe neither of us should really dwell on that very hypothetical question! Nonetheless, Rod tackled Sour Sophia into the tub & subsequently into the kitchen to search for the infamous green 'bus' t-shirt to wear for bed. Oh, & the twice-a-day headliner fight to get her hair brushed in which it's Sour Sophia vs. Mommy...that one is my fave fight. Not really. After more tears & cries of "no ponytail mommy", I waved my white flag & begged Rod for a glass of wine. To go with my already heaping helping of "whine". We were able to get her into her seat at the dinner table to "enjoy" dinner as a family - HA! She opted for Cheerios (as she's not been feeling very good lately, lots of congestion, etc. Yay for summer colds) & Rod & I dined on a chicken/rice/teryaki dish of sorts (sorry Brendan & Monica, it wasn't he famous Crimi Teryaki!). Anyone who knows Sophia knows she will not get fooled into drinking a drop of milk, but will gobble up cereal & cheese like it's going out of style - so Cheerios in milk seemed like a healthy winner if she was hungry for a meal at all. Everyone seemed to be 'happily' - & I used this term loosely - eating their respected 'dinners' until disaster struck in the form of a 2 1/2 yr olds hand coming down onto the table to make her point (about what, we've forgotten) in a passionately-told story. The cereal bowl flipped onto it's side, spilling a luxurious silken river of milk (it's a disaster, let's make the re-telling of it at least pleasant!) on to poor unsuspecting Sophia, & then cascading onto the chair & floor. I drank more wine. Then we sprang up into serious disaster relief. Sophia burst into tears wailing, "Sophia okay! Sophia okay!" It's quite funny how she refers to herself in the 3rd person & is so dramatic about these situations. Finally all cleaned, changed & a new PASTA course in front of her, she was quite delighted with herself. So, after a refill of wine, Rod handwashing some dishes (b/c our dishwasher is a real piece...of what I will not say, but a piece nonetheless) Sophia happily shoveled in forkfuls of pasta. Praise God! Then, she blurted out a pure gem: "Sophia not make a mess - Lucy (our sleeping beagle) make the mess. Not Sophia. Sophia a good girl"....WHAAAA??? That might be the most hilarious thing that's ever come out of my daughter's mouth!! So, with a happier child, & dutiful husband, I was able to snap some great photos. In addition to them, I've selected some other cute photos from way back & put them into a little slideshow for your viewing pleasure. Tonight's disaster is the ones with her in the bib (some are black & white)...some are clear back as last fall (2008). Going through all those photos made me realize that she truly is a Sweet & Sour Sophia that we just couldn't love any more than we already do!

Wedding Crashers

Many of you know that Rod & I go waaayyy back....like as in junior high. We met & became fast friends when we were just 12yrs old - luckily for us, the group of friends we ran with back in those days has since grown up & have kept in close touch through the years. Two of our friends, Heather & Gregg, who we knew back then, since fell in love & recently got married. Below is a slideshow of the fun weekend we all had celebrating the wedding...makes me so thankful that through thick & thin, your best friends will always be there right by your side to celebrate the fun stuff!