Four years ago today Sophia Rose became part of our family at the Giving and Receiving
Ceremony in Vietnam.  And today Sophia turned 4 1/2!  So I posted pictures of then and
now because it is hard to believe how fast these past four years have flown by.  We celebrated
by having dinner at Aikou, an Asian restaurant that Sophia enjoys.  Sophia is such a
blessing in our lives! <3 p="p">

SOPHIA HAS BEEN HOME FOR TWO YEARS!

 It is hard to believe that our little Sophia

has been home for two years!  The time

has gone by so fast and she brings our 

family more joy than we could ever

have imagined. We are truly blessed

to have her in our lives!

  Fall pumpkin picking in Mendham

  

  Cheering with "Lala" at the fall football games.

 Go Mendham!

 Sophia watering her hand 

  My nature girl-a real tree hugger :)

  Our ladybug is striking a cheer pose- she must be hanging

around her sister too much!

 Ready to trick or treat for the first 

time.  Only went to three houses 

because Sophia didn't realize that

the treat bag was meant to collect 

the candy.  She thought she needed

to immediately consume all the candy 

she was given! 

  We love to bake for the holidays!

  Thanksgiving Day outfit complete with princess crown

and shades...

  Christmas morning

  Exploring the beach in sunny, beautiful Santa Barbara

during winter break :)

  Sophia hitching a ride to the beach

  Contemplating the beauty of the beach and the  

mountains

 Jogging with Dad

  Back in NJ having some indoor fun with stickers

  Doing the bunny hop...

  And venturing outside to play in the snow.  Unfortunately

the snow didn't stick together so our plans to make

a snowman didn't quite work out.

  Sledding is a fun activity.  As long as it is down our 

driveway and not the big hill at the elementary school, 

as Laura and I discovered.   Sophia said the big hill was 

just too bumpy!

  

August and September 2010 Recap

  Since Sophia turned two, her ability to express herself

has really improved.  As a result, she is amazingly reasonable

considering the natural frustrations of being a toddler.   

She started off the summer very shy with anyone outside the

family, but she has become increasingly social this past

month.  She usually starts off social encounters now by

holding up her hands to show off her nails that her

sister "Lala" painted.  

 This summer Sophia's aquatic skills didn't progress 

beyond the first two steps of our pool.  But we spent a lot

of time engaged in water play with so many 90+ degree 

days.

 A visit out to the "country" from our 

NYC cousins and a trip to our local

playground.  Sophia is serving "ice

cream" here.

 The "thinker" pose- probably contemplating some 

mischief!

   First manicure from her sister "Lala" 

  Following strict instructions from her sister to hold 

out her hands to let her nails dry!

  A not entirely successful first attempt at kite flying-

sudden gusts of wind sent the kite up in the wind

and then crashing back down. But it was fun :)

  Picture brother Mike took when we visited him in

NYC and went to Bar 89 (our favorite lunch spot in Soho)

  Happy to see Laura at the end of the

parade route of the Labor Day parade

(Our little town's biggest weekend of

the year- complete with parade, carnival,

games, and fireworks)

 Sophia spent many hours playing in

her sand box this summer.  Note the 

interesting collection of clothing she

outfitted herself in!

  

 I thought bringing the water table up

to the deck from the pool was a great

idea until Sophia started transferring

all the sand from her sandbox into it!

 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!  Sophia is looking very

apprehensive, but is really enjoying the "Duck Pond"

which is the name of her 2 year old classroom at

the Co-Op.  She goes Tues and Thurs from 9:15 until

11:15.  There are 7 children in the class with 2 teachers

and a parent. So I am in the classroom one day

every month.  I was in the room for the first day and

it was a lot of fun.  I didn't even mind sweeping the

floors and disinfecting all the surfaces :)

 Snack time!  As the co-op parent for the day, I brought 

goldfish and juice boxes.  It was  Sophia's first juice box and 

she quickly learned what happens if you squeeze the box!

  I love this picture of Mike and Laura on a hike at

Hacklebarney Park.  Sophia wasn't interested in being

in the picture because she was too busy throwing stones

into the stream.

  Our traditional stop at the cider mill to have their

delicious cider donuts

  I have a vase of zinnias from my garden on the deck

table.  Sophia plucked one out of the vase and placed

it behind her ear.  I love having a girly girl :)

  Our new "one day a week to give Mom a break" babysitter

is also a professional haircutter.  This is Sophia's first hair

cut which we managed to do by distracting her with the

water table!

TWO YEARS OLD!

 Sophia turned two years old on June 5th.  We celebrated

her birthday with a "turning two tea".  Here is the hostess

serving her guests. 

  Wearing her birthday present from brother Michael- a 

Yankees hat, of course :)

   Lighting the candles on the cupcake which Sophia had

no trouble blowing out! 

  

   Feeling glamorous wearing her birthday crown

 Enjoying July 4th with Molly

 

  Where is the cash register- I am ready

to check out now!

   Look at our cool shades!

  Love the beach especially with my sister :)