Four

Sophie turned four last Sunday. I could have sworn she was turning three again. After looking through some photos of just a year ago, she (well, both of them actually) seems so grown up. I decided to do an interview with her, so I'll post the video and text from it a bit later. I wanted you to see some photos from her birthday.

Sophie's been talking about her cake since November (Ivy's birthday). She was pretty set on a Belle cake until I made a cake for a Relief Society dinner in March. Then she changed her mind. It was pretty easy, too, so I was relieved that I didn't have to capture Beauty and the Beast in cake form. Just a 9x13 chocolate cake divided into two layers with chocolate frosting and circled with chocolate-covered strawberries. Sophie is a chocolate fiend. And a strawberry fiend. I realized that every year so far he birthday cake has either involved chocolate or strawberries, and this time, both.

They were a lot of fun the rest of the day.

Steve's mom Judi and his sister Kimi came to visit and we all went out to Mexican for her birthday. (Her request. She could eat rice and beans and tacos every day of her life.) This was the only photo I got from the night (thanks!) Ivy didn't get a nap that day and didn't make the drive over to the restaurant.

Speaking of Kimi, I'm so glad she and Judi were here for Sophie's (very small) party. We had planned on having it at the park (mostly so I wouldn't have to stress out about entertaining the kids), but because the wind was whipping really hard at the park we had it at our house.

Kimi took charge and played a bunch of games with the kids in the backyard. I don't know what I would have done without her. Probably herded the kids outside and said, "Go play! There are lots of rocks out there!" I'm so not good with stuff like that.

Ivy, her little sidekick was right next to her the whole time. Like last year's party. I love seeing them play (nicely) together. They really are best friends.

Sophie picked out the candle and the sparkly red frosting (despite my doubts about it being edible)

Steve was a good little photographer and got some pics of us together. It's nice to have proof sometimes that my kids really do have a mother.

More presents.... 

Her actual birthday was on Sunday, so we staggered her presents all weekend. I'm so glad we did. I think when kids open a big pile of presents all at once they don't get as much attention as when it's stretched out over a couple of days. Three days, in Sophie's case.

We saved the box my parents sent her for last because I knew there was something in there she'd been asking for since just after Christmas.

Uh, no. Not a baseball bat. She wasn't sure what that was, so we had to have a lesson out in the backyard about sports equipment. (She also got a little plastic golf club set at her party. Not a clue about that, either.) More about that later. . .

THIS was what got her excited. As soon as she saw the fluffy yellow fabric, she got a silly grin on her face.

And didn't hesitate ripping it open.

Naturally, this is what happend next. . .

Not even 10 seconds after she got the dress out of the box.

Complete with white gloves, even. (Nice touch, Mom.)

We had to hold the real thing up to compare. I'm not sure what that look was. Probably, "please get the picture-taking over with so I can go spin around and sing in a high-pitched voice about true love."

Happy Birthday princess!