Summer Portraits

one of my favorites (Sophie-4 years, Abbie, almost 19 months)

I didn't order this one but it's kind of funny. Both girls are reaching towards the sides of their faces.

Another sweet pose

Here's Abbie

A few weeks ago, I took the girls to Portrait Innovations so that I could get an annual portrait of the two of them together and get some individual pictures of them. Abbie didn't see the point in smiling. She was just so serious. She kept studying the photographers and wouldn't smile except for in a couple of the shots. However, when we got the pictures of the girls together, Abbie did a great job smiling! Sophie mostly did well for the pictures but it was interesting to watch the different things she did with her feet in the poses of her and Abbie together. It was a challenge for her to be still at times but it really was a challenge for Abbie!

Swimming lessons

For the past 2 weeks, Sophie has been taking swimming lessons. This is her 2nd year to take lessons in the beginner's class. She's made progress but she still has some work to do. This was also the 2nd year that these sisters (shown above) were in her class. Sabrina, to the left, and Emma, on the right. Our families got to know each other last year and exchanged contact information but never really followed up. This year, the girls ended up being in the same class again. I think that was great for Sophie because it gave her a certain level of comfort!

This past Sunday, after a totally busy weekend (if you read about our involvement in my cousin's wedding then you probably understand). The busyness continued on Sunday because we went out for a Father's Day lunch with my parents and then Sophie attended a birthday party at Monkey's Treehouse. Well, that afternoon, Sophie started getting a touch of a fever that lasted a couple of days. Then, she also developed a rash. I think it might have been roseola (sp?) which very young children (especially babies) often get. By Friday, Sophie was definitely feeling better and we went to Pump it Up to play there. That night, we had a lot of fun because we rented Mary Poppins and sorted of "camped in" by making s'mores (a new thing for the girls). Sophie tried out her sleeping bag for the 1st time which she had received for Christmas and had a campout in our room. I only rested in a sleeping bag until Sophie was asleep and then when I came back, I got in the bed! =)

More Party Fun

Mary Frances & Sophie in the jump castle

Mama & Abbie (in Sophie's new princess fold-up chair)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Anna Kate, Mary Frances, Sophie & Ellie had fun playing together.

After everyone left, Sophie took the mike and had a blast performing her original songs.

our family

Sophie's Cinderella cake

We had a birthday party for Sophie with some of her friends and family about a week after her birthday. We had planned to have it at a park with a picnic shelter but it was a rainy weekend. Our plan B was to have the party at our church in the Family Life Center (gym) and borrow a friend's small jump castle. So, that's what we did. Everything worked out fine. The girls who came had a good time jumping in the jump castle, playing Hullabaloo and some old-fashioned games such as Duck, Duck Goose, Hide & Seek, and Red Light, Green Light. We all enjoyed cake and ice cream and Sophie opened her gifts. After the party was over, Sophie discovered a microphone and started singing. If I had known that it was going to be there, we could have made the girls singing part of our entertainment. =) Sophie was really excited that some of her cousins, friends and other family could be there!