Sassy Sophia



I have been beyond remiss lately with updating.  If I actually thought anyone was keeping up with this blog, I'd apologize for the vanishing act I've pulled over the last four months.  Since it's probably just me being entertained with this, no apology needed.

 

Much has happened over the past few months, but it's easiest to catch up with the kid that's probably had the busiest stretch of us all: Miss Sophia. 

 

This little beauty started kindergarten in September. 



 

 

Proceeded to break her arm in October (shocking...no, actually, it wasn't shocking at all.)

 

Still managed to rule the soccer field (even though we played her up a year), and racked up 32 goals in just 8 games.  Dominate.

 

 

When she wasn't out burying goals, you could find her working her moves on the dance floor in ballet.  Beautiful.

 

And finally, our wild child celebrated her sixth birthday at the end of October with a costume party with all her friends.

 

 

How I would describe Miss Sophia in five words: driven, vivacious, funny, free-spirited, and smart.  In our house, we call her Sassy.  Watch out world, this one is going to move mountains one day!

 

Next up...Hudson

(want to really follow our world, hop on Instagram and follow me @wishful13) 

Crossfire Challenge Champions

6 games in 3 days. 25 goals scored by Isabelle's team. Only 4 surrendered.

2012 Crossfire GU11 Silver Champions!!





 

Not quite the Griswolds...

...but almost.  9 days.  7 states.  3303 miles.  With three kids in a minivan that rolled over the 100,000 mile mark during the trip.  Hmmm.  Maybe we *are* the Griswolds.  Our trip took us through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.  We visited three National Parks; Arches, Bandelier and the Grand Canyon, and we actually made it home with all three kids.  Alive.  And somewhat happy.  (Actually, that's a lie.  They loved their time together and have all slept in one bedroom together like a little litter of puppies since we got home, as nobody wants to sleep alone.  It's precious.)

Best quote of the trip credit goes to Todd: "Trying to nap in this car is like sleeping in a fun house." (Note: Our house is a fun house 24/7.  Moving the circus to a car does not change a thing.)

I recommend the road trip to everyone.  We love them and the kids love them.  It's quality time together and you see beautiful parts of the country that would be missed otherwise.  Driving forces you to slow down, forces you to find patience you didn't otherwise know you had, forces your kids to be patient, and allows you to stop and teach them about places, people and events that you probaby never would otherwise.   

Clark Griswold said it best, "Why aren't we flying? Because getting there is half the fun."



Tiny Dancer

Sophia completed her first year with The British Dancing Academy with a wonderful performance of Beauty and the Beast.  Sophia was a lamb in the show, and did a wonderful job in front of a full house at the Highline Performing Arts Center.  Very impressive for a little girl that wouldn't set foot on the red mat at Little Gym for months when she first started as a toddler.  My how far you've come, Sophia, and how proud we are of you!



Double Digits for Isabelle

My darling Isabelle has turned 10.  Double digits.  It's beyond difficult to comprehend.  She has not only grown into a wonderful young lady, but I count her as one of my best friends.  I know that's odd to say about a 10 year old, but it's true.  I spend more time talking with her than anyone else in my life, and she's truly hilarious.  Of all my kids, she's most like Todd, so maybe that's why we gel so well.  No stubborn head butting, like Sophia and I, and no silly 4 year old little boy, like Hudson.  Isabelle has her dad's laid back personality, and takes most everything with a grain of salt.  She's slow to anger, and rather quick to forgive.  Again, pretty much the polar opposite of myself.  She is lovely with her brother (always) and her sister (when she wants to be) and we couldn't be more proud to call her ours.

Happy Birthday, Belle!







Mother's Day Delight

If I could pick one thing in life to have more money and time for, it would be photography (okay, and traveling.  Definitely traveling).  I don't claim to have extreme skill, or think I could make a profession out of it, but it's probably the one thing (past my children) that I have passion for.  My husband is very lucky to have found early in life a profession he loves and enjoys going to every day, and I've always been envious of him because I think many of us aren't so lucky.  But I enjoy photography like he loves his job.  I love seeing things through the lens and having that vision come to life later.

With that said, for Mother's Day I asked my kids for one thing...total cooperation for three mini-photo sessions.  I take A LOT of pictures of my kids, but I don't think it's necessarily something they all enjoy.  (Okay, that's a lie.  Isabelle loves the camera and would spend 24/7 with everything being about her.  But that's another story.)  This plan meant that all three got to go out with me individually, thus no pictures of the three of them together, and spend 1-on-1 time with mom, and have me snap some pictures.  I can honestly say this turned out better than I expected.  I'm not sure the pictures below are necessarily the "best" pictures of each shoot, but they're my favorites.  And the best gift this mom could have asked for.  



Huddy Buddy

Happy 4th Birthday, Hudson!

Dance Fever

Each year, Isabelle's school has a Sock Hop in February. Isabelle always looks forward to it, as it's a pretty big deal (and she loves wearing her poodle skirt!) It's amazing how time flies and that next year will be their final year of the Sock Hop, and Sophia's first as a kindergartener. Next thing I know, I'll be standing in a dressing room at Nordstrom shopping for a Homecoming or Prom dress. Lord help me! Please.

I put a throw back picture at the end, just to make everyone feel a little older than they probably already do.

2012 Sock Hop

Isabelle and Sydney getting down

Amelia, Rae, Isabelle and Sydney

Having a good time on the dance floor

And just to show what a few years will do....here's a dance floor pic taken in 2009. Amazing to see how much Isabelle, Rae and Sydney have changed.

Y-M-C-A, people. Y-M-C-A.

Pirate Princess

This is what happens, folks, when you have two older sisters. He's the cutest Pirate Princess I've ever seen. And this will be an adorable picture to show everyone at his wedding.

Valentine's Day

I'm not a big participant in Valentine's Day. Of course the kids all get little gifts and treats from us, and we make the obligatory purchase of the cards for them to pass out in class, but past that we don't really celebrate. However, imagine my surprise when I got out of the shower this morning and had this hidden message waiting for me. That Isabelle, such a little sneaky sweetie.

Wanted: Sugar Daddy

If anyone happens to know of someone that has an extra $5k laying around that they just aren't sure how to spend, please send them my direction. I've got a very clear picture (ha ha) of where I'd like it to go. Momma needs some new photography equipment...

For starters, the new Nikon D800.



Next, a new 85mm lens. http://www.adorama.com/NK8514AFGU.html





And finally, who couldn't use a nice little 50mm? http://www.adorama.com/NK5014AFDU.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=rflaid66976

Feel free to contact me with any possible Sugar Daddies that you might have in mind. Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted. :)

February 12

Despite her craziness, or maybe because of it, everyone is a sucker for Sophia. Especially the other soccer dads. And if you can get them all to make you "fly" with a sweet smile and bat of the eyelashes, why not go for it. But Joe is her favorite...just look at that height!

February 11

Another weekend, which of course meant more soccer. Extra bonus? Grandad came for the weekend and got to be there in person for Isabelle's game. Double extra bonus? Isabelle scored another goal to contribute to a 6-0 victory by her team. (WooHoo!) Like last weekend, we reward for hard work so this time we made a quick trip to the American Girl store for a new outfit for her doll. Ahhhh, it's tough to be Isabelle. ;)

February 7

Isabelle and Hudson playing Dance Central together = cutest thing ever.

February 6

Sigh. The Sun. (And yes, I'm capitalizing it at this point.) The Sun has been out in full force for the past week or so, blessing us with clear blue skies and 60 degree temperatures. For us sun-deprived Seattlites, this is like manna from heaven. I'm not delusional enough to think winter is over or anything, but I'm soaking it up while I can. And so is Jack.

February 5

It's not a position she plays any more, but the planets aligned and she got to step in and help out another team this weekend. And she got to play a half in goal. She's still got it, folks. Got a shut out for her half, and can still punt the ball past mid-field. Not too shabby for a mid-fielder. :)

February 4

She's been absent in the pictures to this point but have no fear, she's around. Isabelle's soccer team took the pitch for the second game of their season today, and Isabelle scored a goal in the effort towards a 2-2 tie with Seattle United...and a goal reward for herself. Isabelle has a thing for penguins, and we have a thing for top effort on the soccer field. :)

February 3

Every Friday Sophia attends dance class. I'm not sure it's her favorite activity, but the discipline is good for her. :)

February 2

Hudson and Sophia, preparing to start swimming class.

29 days of Photos

Not gonna lie, I dislike February. And I'd feel bad for February, but it's so yucky I just can't. For this often bad-mouthed month, my goal is to take one photo a day. I'm aiming to find one positive thing each day and post a photo daily to capture a bit of what the month brings us. (hint: it better NOT be snow.)

I took this photo yesterday, so it counts as February 1. This is the gorgeous tree that sits outside Kennydale Elementary, Isabelle's school. It was literally a selling point for me when we were looking at potential schools for her. This tree is gorgeous in the late spring and the beginning of school when the leaves are lush and green, stunning in fall when they change colors and fall off, and spooky fantastic in winter with bare branches. I've never been a chain-myself-to-a-tree-to-protect-it kind of person, but I might if anything ever threatened this beauty.

Steady As She Goes

I never managed to make it back to the blog before Christmas to post my wishlist, but needless to say I got exactly what I really wanted for the big day: a wonderful holiday season with my family and joyful kids on Christmas morning. We also got a lot cleaned out of the house over the holiday break, with multiple trips to Goodwill and the dump. That, my friends, was truly the Christmas miracle.

And as a small bonus, we finished one of our projects set for completion in 2012. Less than two weeks into 2012 and I can already check something off the house "To Do" list for this year....yessss!!

Behold, our redone bar chairs. (iPhone picture, so please forgive the quality) I wish I had a "before" picture, but can't seem to find one. Alas, here is the finish product. I bought the chairs off Craigslist for a mere $40 for all three. They started off as a bad oak-like color with off white, tweed chair cushions. This is what they look like now.

Here's what it ran us:
Chairs $40
Fabric: $16
Paint: $8
Total for project: $64
Cost per chair: $21.33

If I saw these in a store, I'd pay $21 for one. The best part? They are completely one of a kind now. We're pretty in love with them. Next up...our new glass-tile backsplash in the kitchen. I'll provide pictures when it's complete.