The Zoo

All of Sophie's cousins on my side of the family got together today at Henry Villas Zoo. Its a pretty small zoo but its possibly my favorite. I've been coming to this zoo since I was little, and my mom before me. This year is its 100th birthday which is saying something since it is a FREE zoo.

This was Sophie's first visit and though she did enjoy seeing some of the animals (she roared when we walked passed the lions) it was hanging out with her aunts, Grandma and cousins that was the highlight for her. 

BJ and I have 1 niece and she and Sophie get along so well (most of the time). They held hands for part of the day.

Even Brendan came, though he was much less excited about it then the little kids. But he was a great sport and helped with his younger cousins and played with Sophie at the park for a while. She loves to lead him around.

Aren't the girls adorable trying to hold hands?

Auntie Terra was a big help.

Auntie Megan was getting some Sophie time too.



Tea With Daddy

About a week ago one of Sophie's aunts gave her an adorable Tea set. The tea pot sings a few songs (that are extremely polite by the way) it makes bubbling and pouring sounds, and came with 2 cups and a tray with 3 little goodies on (a circle, triangle and square). Since she got it, every morning when Sophie gets up finds the cups (which she likes to either stack or try to carry with one hand) and pours the 2 of us tea. Its so cute. If I turned off the sound the night before, she will say "peese! peese!" and I will turn the sound on so she can pour the tea.

Yesterday one of her great aunts gave Sophie a Belle doll (Beauty and the Beast) and she came with a sweet Tea set too. More bubbling tea pot sounds, 2 little cups (1 is Chip from the movie), this one came with 2 plates a fork and spoon and a cupcake.

Together Sophie now has service for 4!

Another gift she got yesterday (possible the best gift ever) was a "Daddy Doll". BJ had his full length picture taken with a white background and sent it to this wonderful company that made him into a doll!

The moment I handed it to Sophie she yelled "dadda!" and gave it kisses (then she chewed on his head a bit : )

Yesterday was a really busy day so Sophie didn't have much time to play with her "daddy" but this afternoon Sophie decided to have some tea. I had cleared off a little table we have for her and set the tea sets up, when it occurred to me that we had service for 4 so I asked Sophie if she wanted to have tea with daddy, she of course thought that was great. It wasn't long till she was pouring him tea, giving him bites of cupcake or other treat, and randomly giving him kisses.

It was utterly adorable (if not a bit sad too), after a while we added Belle and the 4 of us had a really lovely tea.

Tonight before bed Sophie, "daddy" and I curled up on the couch and watched a little Yo Gabba Gabba (he most favorite show). It was hard to not cry while my sweet Sophie cuddled up with and kissed her "daddy", I know that more then anything daddy wants to be here instead of his doll, but I think its gonna be a pretty good substitute...I wish I had one.

"Daddy" loved Tea time.

Sophie loves pouring tea for everyone, I'm pretty sure Belle enjoyed the tea too.

Yep that's Sophie giving "daddy" a bite of her cupcake.