Happy 1/2 B-day Sofia!

Sofia officially turned 4 1/2 years old on December 10th. She's a spunky and imaginative little kid who is headed to kindergarten in only 9 more months! I can hardly believe how fast she is growing up. We did celebrate her birthday back in June but in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy I never got the pics posted. So, I waited until now to celebrate her "half-birthday!"

We enjoyed a small little get together BBQ complete with the "Purple Princess Cake" as requested by the birthday girl:

Keep in mind people, I'm 38-weeks pregnant here. I had so much fun making Sofia's cake. It's on of my favorite Mom things I get to do every year.

In all its glory, the Purple Princess Cake

Blowing out the candle...

Probably her most favorite present of all, compliments of BFF's Natalie, Isabel, and Sophia:

This play kitchen is something Sofia had wanted for a really long time. She chose to purchase this with b-day money she received:

It's seriously the coolest play kitchen ever. She has a TON of fun playing and cooking in it!

She received some really cool presents from friends and family including: nail polish (Ame & Makai), sidewalk paint (Aunt Carlee), Hannah Montana coloring set (Ame & Makai), Cinderella play set (Uncle Kris & Cousin Jordan), a Leap Frog word whammer (Nana & Grandpa), and a purple hippo (Uncle Bub & fam). Holy cow, that's a lot. She's enjoyed playing with everything and was so grateful for everyone who thought of her on her birthday. We are grateful too.

"I Can't Wait to Be 16 because..." by Sofia Staley

Our precious little 4 1/2 year-old began the following conversation with:

Sofia: "Mom, I can't wait to be 16!"
Me: "Why is that, Sofia?"
Sofia: "Because you get to know a lot of things."
Me: "Really, what kind of things?"
Sofia: "Well, LOTS, and you get to know more things than Mom."
Me: "Who told you that?"
Sofia: "Papi."

Heaven

Watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas" over and over again with my girls and folding laundry (really just the Charlie Brown part)!

In Search of the North Pole

December 3rd, we drove to Hood River, Oregon, about 78 miles east of our home to board the Polar Express train at the Mt. Hood Railroad. With great anticipation Sofia kept saying all day long, "Mom, we're going to the North Pole today and I'm going to meet Santa Claus!" Off we went for a 2-hour train ride to the North Pole and yes, we met Santa Claus!

While we waited for the train to depart we took funny pictures:

Then the Train Conductor announced the departure to the North Pole:


and off we went, drinking hot cocoa and indulging in sugar cookies (the kiddos in their jammies):

Soon after, a Narrator began to tell the story of the Polar Express:


Before we knew it, we had arrived at the North Pole!


Santa Claus quickly boarded the train and put Sofia on his lap to ask her about all of the things she wants for Christmas:


he gave her the famous bell just like in the story:


and a giant hug good-bye.


Santa quickly grabbed Sydnei to hold her and talk to her...she of course had to stare him down and figure out what he was all about:


It must have all been a lot for her, she pooped out sitting on my lap as we rode back to the station:


and so it was, the story of the Polar Express was really special, the North Pole was spectacular and Santa is definitely making a trip to Nana and Grandpa's house where we will be this year!