Getting colorful.

Sophie is 5

 So Sophie is five now.

This is a big deal in our house. To Sophie, the age of five holds a VIP status. When she was four, she would say things like this:

"When I am five, will I be tall like Daddy?"

"Is my babysitter five?" 

On Sophie's birthday, Sophie said to me. "I am five! Why am I not bigger?"

Even her little friends thought five was a special age. Shortly after her birthday, Sophie picked up her friend, Juliet, with her own arms. Juliet said, "Sophie is so strong because she is five!"

Yes, five is a special age.

 For her pictures she wanted to go fishing. So we went to Papago Park and kind of did that. 

There is no string on the fishing bow. We were just pretending.

Sabrina wanted to get in a few photos herself.

As well as these dudes.

Happy Birthday, Sophie.

You love singing along with songs on the radio and dancing with me in the kitchen.

You are slowly learning how to eat and finish your dinner.

You love to hang out with the "big kids" in the neighborhood who ride their scooters and bikes around the lake.

 You watched part of the 6 hour BBC Pride and Prejudice with me and liked it! That was a proud moment for me.

You adore your dad. I hope you two always remain the way you are now.

You are loved in this home.

The garden party (please pronounce in a British accent. thank you.)

I really hate planning parties, sad to say. With Sophie's approaching birthday, I was planning on letting her have a few friends over for a tea party. What started as a little tea party somehow ballooned into a much bigger party with lots of friends and cousins. That's okay. It was worth it. Five is a big birthday, right?
So in honor of Sophie's 5th birthday, we hosted a garden party!
I think it turned out well, and more importantly, I think Sophie enjoyed all the love and attention from everyone. She's a pretty special girl so she deserves it.
However, next year, we will be keeping it much smaller for my own sanity.

Activites:
-Downton Abbey inspired Photo Booth
-Flower pot decorating and planting
-3 legged race
-Bean bag toss
-Piñata

 

Heather (my camera woman) got a great shot of her son, Alex!

One thing I am proud of is our DIY cabana! It is the one pin we actually have completed. 

And when I say "we" I really mean "Dave."

It was really windy that day so we had to tie down the sheers to keep it blowing away the frame of the cabana.

 And now, our make-shift Downton Abbey inspired Photo Booth:

(probably my favorite part)

Juliet, Elise

Jakey, Caleb

Sammy

Payton and Liisa

Ellie and Lily

Brinley, Brooke, and Heather

Autumn, Dirk

Lowe 

Logan, Lily, and Ruth

Alex, Zachary 

(Zach wins hands down for best expression.)

A BIG thanks to Dave, my in-laws, and all the moms and uncles and aunts who helped me out. I really appreciate it! 

Just for fun.

Also, I received my Mixbook a few weeks ago. I love the quality of it. Here's what it looks like:

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