Happy Earth Day!

We wish you a Happy Earth Day and hope you've had a chance to do one of the following:


Say Hi to a bug...

...or a fish.

Pick up some litter.

Play outside.

Brush a goat.

Enjoy the fresh air.

Run across a field.

Or just be silly!

Now we're cookin'!

Last year, I got a couple kids' cookbooks out of the library. They looked great, so we gave Sophie her first cookbook for her 3rd birthday. It's called "Pretend Soup" and it's a great cookbook for kids because in addition to the written instructions, there are diagrams that show every step of each recipe!

So far, we've made four recipes:

1) Chocolate-Banana Shakes

"This is yummy. This is SO yummy!"


She happily gulped down her shake before I had a chance to photograph it. Here is her chocolate moustache, evidence of a shake well enjoyed!

2) Hide and Seek Muffins



Our strawberries were large, so they didn't really hide inside the muffins, but we enjoyed them anyway!

3) Bagel Faces





Bagel faces were notable because Sophie actually ate the cherry tomato "nose"! She normally declares that she doesn't like tomatoes, but when they're in a bagel face, all bets are off! Here are a couple conversations we had while eating our yummy lunch:

holly: mine only has one eye
sophie: does that mean you ate the other eye?
holly: yeah
sophie: and does that mean that it's winking?

holly: where's the nose (cherry tomato)?
sophie: in my throat
holly: you ate a tomato?
sophie: yeah
holly: what did you think about it?
sophie: um, i thank good about it, although i don't like tomatoes

holly: can i have the last tomato, or do you want it?
sophie: i want it! (proceeds to eat tomato without hesitation)
holly: (speechless)

We're having so much fun and can't wait to try more recipes!

The Birthday Dress

For Sophie's 1st birthday, I decided to start the tradition of the Birthday Dress. I bought a Size 18 Fuschia dress from the Salvation Army and decided to take a photo of Sophie in this dress each year on her birthday.

It went over really well on her 1st birthday (March 28, 2008):


On her second birthday, she seemed more excited about the idea (March 28, 2009):




And today, on her 3rd birthday (March 28, 2010), she first thought she looked like a princess with her long train:


And then quickly switched to her more characteristic grimace:


Let's see how long I can keep this tradition going! Happy Birthday, Sophie!

Singing

Sophie has been singing more and more these days, which is tons of fun. She's getting really good at her preschool's song, she's a pro at "Do-Re-Mi" ("Doe, a deer, a female deer..."), and just now, she spontaneously started singing along with The Police's "Message in a Bottle"! Big into 80s bands, that's my girl! :D

I have the power!

Aunt Kristi joined us for dinner tonight, and Sophie, sensing a soft heart, asked Kris to excuse her from the table. "I'm sorry, Soph", said Kristi, "you'll have to ask Mom or Dad. I don't have the power."

Immediately, Sophie turned to us and said, "Mama and Dada, may I please be excused from the table? YOU have the power!"

All of you children of the 80s, say it with me (in your best Adam, Prince of Eternia voice): "I have the power!"

A walk in the park

I took Sophie to Jericho Beach today and we had a lovely time in the sunshine. First, I did my training run (I'm working towards a goal of running the 10km Sun Run in May), then I let Sophie out of the jogging stroller so she could explore. Even though it was sunny, I've learned my lesson and I dressed her in rain boots, rain pants, and a rain jacket. Totally worth it.


She loves puddle jumping. Why do we outgrow puddle jumping? It seems to make everyone happy!


We threw some rocks into the ocean. You might be able to see where this is going.


Minor setback. She was a little upset, but was quickly distracted by another puddle.


Sophie was delighted by the sight of dozens of mallards flying over to visit her and landing with a splash right beneath the bridge. "Quack quack quack quack!" she said to them in duck language (translated, it means: Nice to meet you!)


I just love this kid so much!

Our little capitalist

Tonight we had Kristi and Munir over for pizza dinner. Sophie's not a huge fan of pizza (silly kiddo), but she ate a whole plateful of edamame beforehand, so I wasn't too worried about her lack of appetite. I thought you might enjoy this little dinner table exchange between Sophie and Dean.

S: "I'm eating the crust because I don't like the olives and sauce so much."

D: "Well, can I have your olives?"

S: "Yeah, you can have them for fifty-five bucks!"

It does a Mama proud. Just wait and see what she'll be charging at her lemonade stand!