Sophia is really 4!

On August 30th, Sophia turned the much anticipated 4 years old! For about a month now, she's been asking, "Am I really four yet?" All year long we remind Sophia that her birthday is in August. So, when August finally rolls around, it seems an unbearably long wait until the end of the month. Especially when her little sister really turned one on the 12th.

Sophia and Claire blowing out candles at their combined party earlier this month.

Tuesday morning, the real birthday, started off with our family's tradition--birthday pancakes. Who wouldn't want to blow out birthday candles first thing in the morning?

Sophia then opened a gift from Claire and one from Mami and Papi. After that, we rushed to get ready for preschool. Sophia officially starts up preschool again on Sept. 6th, but this week she's been at a "Back-to-school" camp. To say Sophia was excited about sharing her special day with friends at school (and having Mami and Claire bring cupcakes for snack time) was an understatement! She ended the day with a trip to "Old" McDonald's for supper and play time in the "tubes." (This has become her favorite activity on nights when Mami teaches and Papi is in charge of supper :)

With each passing year, Sophia is becoming a bit more practical :). She did not insist on wearing her new Colombian "dress" (blouse and skirt) to preschool on her birthday. She already had an outfit picked out, so that's what she would wear. But... "Hey, could I wear that tomorrow?"

"Of course," we reply. But what we're really thinking is, This dress is very special. The Christopherson's brought it all the way back from Colombia for us, and Sophia always comes home wearing the days activities (paint, dirt, snack, etc.) Truthfully we're so thrilled she likes it and wants to show off her Colombian heritage.

So, Wednesday morning I threw a change of clothes in her backpack and told her if she's having trouble running and jumping in the skirt, she should just tell her teacher she'd like to change. Running and jumping are definitely among her favorite activities at preschool. During the first few weeks of preschool last year, Sophia's response to "What did you do in school today?" was always, "Run around in circles!"

When I went to pick her up, her teacher informed me that the dress lasted for 5 minutes. That's our girl--always moving and always changing clothes! This way Sophia was able to show off her new dress and demonstrate what a self-sufficient dresser she is.

Looking back at pictures from this summer, I see our little girl all too quickly becoming our big girl.

Sophia,

You are our big girl--our 4-year-old! You're the big sister and our big helper. Just tonight, you helped tuck Claire in by rocking her in your lap as she sipped some milk and Papi read a story. We know you'll be so great when the next baby arrives in March :)

You can also be a big challenge with your fiery persistence, bold determination, large vocabulary, and enormous amount of energy. Just a few short minutes before bedtime, you and Claire were playing tackle and having spitting wars. But, really, we wouldn't want it any other way. You are a HUGE source of joy for your Papi and me. You have blessed us beyond belief these past four years.

Te quiero para siempre, mi amor.

Mami