Christmas pictures

Jim actually had the day off (for once!) so we decided to do a small family thing for Christmas in the morning, then Cirque had a party/end of North America tour celebration later in the afternoon. Sophie loved her presents from the grandparents! We celebrated by reading a passage from a prayer book over breakfast and tried teaching Sophie what Christmas is all about, not just presents. She didn't really understand any of it, except that we got to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. :]

Our tree, all four feet of it!:


















Her puzzle and books from the Lutzes.


















Her alphabet magnet toy and bracelets from the Mallorys.




































Her new hat to match her new jacket:


















After she was trying to put it on her doll:














Her absolute favorite thing to play with:


















In fact, she was so taken by the wrapping paper and bows, we still had two presents from us she never even opened.

Here are a few shots from the Cirque Christmas party. It was on the roof of a restaurant in South Beach. It was so hot and sunny that we just sat in the shade and talked the entire time. And drank mimosas. :]
Sophie, on the other hand, did not have such a grand time. She was soooo tiiiiiired and at the end she lost her pacifier over the edge of the building. Poor baby!

Not a fan of the big guy. I have no idea what Jim is doing in this one.














She got to wear a pretty dress that she picked out (that cost $4):


















Before, clapping during the speeches:


















After losing her paci forever but gaining a cozy skull cap (in 75 degree weather).


















Anyway, we came home, ordered a pizza (you know, like ya do) and watched "A Christmas Story" while Sophie slept. It was magical.

Twinkle Twinkle - by herself

I can't believe she knows ALL the words! She is so bright! I swear this will be the last time (for now) that I post vids of her singing.

More singing, but no Mommy this time...

Here is a medley of songs that Sophie likes, but this time Sophie is singing all by herself. Gosh, we love this little girl!

Yup. More singing.

She keeps getting better and better!

Part 1:



Part 2:

Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays to all!

Singing goofiness

Yup. More singing. She absolutely loves it. Once again, turn your volume down. If you don't, it may cause a neighborhood disturbance when the dogs start howling uncontrollably. These were taken last week during dinner. Her pitch is pretty good, for being two years old and all. She cracks me up!



I love it when she says "Good job!" in this one:

Birthday, with pictures!

The Monday before Sophie's birthday, we met Sasha (saxophone/clarinet/keyboards), his wife Olga, and his 1 1/2 year old Iris at a botanical garden, Pinecrest Gardens. Iris and Sophie adore each other! By the end of the day, they were holding hands and giving each other hugs. Sophie's favorite part was watching/stalking a bumblebee, petting the pigs (only) in the "petting zoo", swinging and going down the slides. She even talked about swinging today, that's how much she loved it! Then we shared lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, which I had never been to before. The Caesar salad was excellent and the Kahlua cheesecake was so rich that I had about three bites and Jim had the rest.

On Sophie's birthday, we had a small breakfast and couldn't wait to do presents and cupcakes! She got a cell phone toy, a Red Wings sweatshirt, and books that were recorded reading to Sophie from Grandpa and Grandma Mallory; a LeapFrog Tag junior reader and clothes from us; and special books for the reader from Grandpa and Grandma Lutz. I even made the special girl a special t-shirt to wear for her special day!

She looks just like my Mom in this one!




































LOVING her Little Mermaid cell phone
































CUPCAKES!




















































































Later in the day, we went to site for dinner. Jim put his makeup on and Sophie was interested, so we let her have some too!














I made 96 mini yellow and chocolate cupcakes to share with site. They put them out at intermission and Jim said they disappeared within minutes! I made the white and chocolate butter cream frostings myself, and the '2's are homemade marshmallow fondant that I used a cookie cutter for.


























































We would like to thank everyone for their gifts, thoughts, and well-wishes. We are truly blessed to have such a sweet, caring little girl in our lives. Thank you all for thinking that too! :]