May update

May was filled with end of the year school events and more shows at the barn. Lets start with the school stuff first. Sophia was in the spring concert at school. She performed in both the orchestra, playing violin and the chorus. This may be the last orchestra concert for her. She doesn't seem to be enjoying the violin and getting her to practice at home is a headache. She enjoys music and loves to sing so she may just do chorus in 5th grade. It is our understanding that it is either orchestra or chorus in middle school and if she had to choose one it would be chorus. No need to endure another year of the headaches of getting her to practice if she can't continue beyond elementary school.

She was involved with Enrichment night at the school. She helped people make bags out of old t-shirts as part of her Green Team work and explained comic dilations as part of her G/T math group. She is a born teacher. She speaks clearly and with authority. It is neat to stand back and see her interact with confidence. She is a remarkable girl who is not afraid to step in and help out.

She completed a science fair project with one of her friends, Ava. They did experiments to find out which candy had "skin." Their findings were quite interesting. Sophia found the coating of a jelly bean, the shellac, most interesting and shared this new knowledge with everyone who came to look at their project. They found that the source of shellac is from the secretions from a beetle like bug.  Yummy. This does not stop Sophia from enjoying jelly beans.

The 4th grade takes care of trout they raise at school. The school is given eggs and the students take care of the tank before and after the eggs hatch. When the trout are big enough the students release them in a local stream. The program was really informative and the kids had a blast getting into the stream. Driving home in wet clothes was a little less fun.

Sophia made cupcakes for the Preakness Party and the in-house bake sale at the barn.

She rode in the schooling show in May. I was not able to be there because I was in a workshop but I was getting play by play reports from Steve. Luckily he did not know that when he saw her fix her stirrup it was because she lost it in the first or second jump and then proceeded to jump five more fences before her coach told her to fix it before going over the last fence. She placed 2nd in walk/trot, 3rd in walk/trot/canter and did not place in that round of jumps.  In short stirrup she placed 6th walk/trot, 3rd walk/trot/canter an 2nd jumps.

Sophia and I went to Elioak Farm on a day off. She had to do a pony ride. This girl rides so much and does such advance things but wanted to get on a horse and walk in a circle. Her love of horses runs deep.

Sophia and I have been reading blog posts together. I am so glad I captured little things about her. I sometimes forget the things she did at two years old but reading them they all come back to me in full color, live action memories. It is because of that I want to share some things that Sophia does now at ten years old. Sophia is always singing. She has a beautiful voice and uses it all the time. I love hearing her sing in the shower. She even sings when we are out shopping. She helps out at home but letting the dogs in and out and giving them water. She has a special bond with the cats, especially Mr. Twinkletoes. Mr. Twinkletoes comes running whenever she calls him. He sits with her at dinner and sleeps with her. 

Sophia likes to be independent. She walks home or gets a ride home from the neighbor when I am working. Our neighbor, Sherry, takes her home and then Sophia comes in, lets the dogs out, has a snack and begins her homework on her own. She has proved to be very responsible. I am not comfortable having her walk home alone yet. Not because I don't trust her, I do. I don't trust all the crazies in this world.

Sophia loves to watch baking and cooking shows. She also loves to be in the kitchen. She prefers baking over cooking but does both. She loves playing on the computer or her iPad, a little too much. We have to limit her time on electronic devices. She is starting to read more and more. Sophia and I have been reading Harry Potter together.

She loves to help her friends get their horses ready for show team. She is very helpful and knows a lot about horses. She is a confident rider who responds well to feedback while riding. She would ride every day if she could. She told us she wants to go to college in English because they are more serious about riding than we are in the states. She loves to shop for horse supplies. We own more tack than one should for a family that does not own or lease a horse.

Sophia is growing up quickly but still likes to cuddle with us on the couch or while reading in bed at night. She promises she will be "my baby" forever and that she will live with me even when she is grown.  I love this girl!!!!