July update

We had an excited start to our July.  We had a storm which knocked out power for five days.  We ended up losing all the food in the refrigerator but other than that made it through without any scars.  We found ways to keep cool, both physically and emotionally.  It is through these tests we become stronger!

We celebrated Grandma Beadle's 90th birthday on July 1st.  The party planned had to be revised due to lack of power in the days leading up to the party..  Fortunately Bev and Skip got power back the night before and the family got together to celebrate.

Sophia "raised" butterflies from caterpillars.  It was a great science activity.  Once all came out of their cocoon Sophia released them in her butterfly garden.  I am sure we will be doing this again.

We took a trip to see Grandma in Conn.  Sophia loves these trips almost as much as I do.  She gets spoiled by Grandma and has a blast with her cousins.  Stephanie and Hollie planned a horse party for Sophia.  It was complete with outfits, photo shoots, piñata and crafts.   They also put on a little dance show for us.   We were also fortunate to visit Aunt Philly and Aunt Rosemary.  We spent an afternoon catching up.  

We went to the zoo.  Sophia rode a giraffe.  

We had another interesting event at end of the month.   We had bats that decided to use our attic as a home.   We called in the professionals and hopefully the bats will be out of our attic and any entry points closed off.

The end of the month ended on a real low.  Grandma Barb was rushed to the hospital after the cruise she took with Linda.  She has pneumonia and is on a ventilator.  We got the call on Sunday afternoon and immediately drove up.  Sophia was packed in five minutes and did a great job.  Sophia and Steve hung out at the hotel while I visited my mother.  Steve and Sophia headed back yesterday.  I will likely head home tonight.  Mom is stable but still on the respirator.  We are hoping that the antibiotics will clear the infection and she will be back to normal.  It has been a scary time... still scary.

July 1st picture

We took Sophia's yearly July 1st picture.  I am amazed to see how much she has grown as each year passes.   July 1st was our referral day.  It was the first time we saw Sophia in a picture.  I can't believe it has been six years!!  It is a day I will never forget.

June update

Where does the time go?  Sophia finished her first year in school on June 7th.  She had a great kindergarten year.  She met a lot of great friends and learned a lot.   She is looking forward to 1st grade.

We picked blueberries and raspberries.

 We got together with five of the six families we traveled to China with six years ago.  The kids had a blast playing together for the weekend while the adults enjoyed catching up.  It is amazing to see how big the kids are getting.  Aiden even joined in on the fun.  

 Our yearly "red couch" photo shoot.

May update

May was another wonderful month.  The weather was nice and we enjoyed time outside.

We are always proud of our kids but this month we were very proud of Katie.  She shared with us that she has never felt that she was a girl.  Katie identifies as a male.  Sharing this took incredible courage.  Katie is transforming into the person he believes he is.   His name is Aiden.  Aiden told family and friends first and then went to school as Aiden.

When Aiden shared this with Sophia he shared that he is still the same person.  He still will play with her on the playground, read her bedtime stories and chase and tickle her.  He still loves her the same.  It was a very sweet conversation.  We are also very proud of Sophia who accepted her brother without questioning it.  She actually is the one who has the easiest time getting used to the new name and pronouns.  

We heard that not everyone is comfortable with this decision and we talked to Sophia about how people can say nasty things when they aren't comfortable with things.  The conversation went like this.   Some people get pregnant and give birth to their children and think that is the only way to have a child. Some people have white skin and think that is the best kind of skin to have. Some woman fall in love with men and get married and think that all marriage should be between a man and a woman. Some people are born into a male body and feel like a male and think that is the only way to be. People can believe whatever they want. However because some believe the things they do they don't accept others who are different from them. They may say hurtful things to them, not want to hang out with them, even hate them. Sophia's response was "We all share the same world and we must take care of it. And we are all different and that makes the world a better place.". That is coming from a six year old. If all children grew up in homes that taught respect for individuals the world would be a better place. I hope all those raising children show respect and tolerance for others. It will go a long way in making the world a better place.


Sophia also competed in her third horse show of the season.  She got a huge ribbon for coming in second for the entire season.  

Sophia also competed in the in-house show over memorial day weekend.  Here she took first place for position/overall riding skills and the cross rail jump.  She took fifth for pleasure.  Once again the judge said that sometimes the best riders take riding so seriously they forget to smile!  

We celebrated Mother's Day with Grandma Beadle and Grandma Bev.  Sophia even went for a swim.

Sophia and I started our garden.  We spent 7 hours in 90+ degree weather getting it ready.  I planted some vegetables and Sophia planted a butterfly garden.  

We visited the farm again.  This is something we did all the time when Sophia was younger.  Kids grow too quickly!!

 And some of our other "children" enjoying spring.

April update

April was a busy month.  Sophia and I went to visit Grandma Barb in Connecticut.  Grandma bought Sophia some cool gifts.  We went shopping and out to eat. 

We spent Easter with Auntie Linda and the girls.  Stephanie and Hollie set up a private Easter Egg hunt for Sophia.  Sophia gets spoiled when we visit Grandma and Auntie Linda.
 

Sophia entered her first science fair.  Her experiment was entitled "Which freezes faster, plain water, water with sugar, water with salt or water with sugar and salt?"  She loved making the board and checking on her experiment ...every ten minutes for three hours!


Katie, Steve and Sophia all had the same spring break.  They took a trip to the zoo and a nature center.  Katie also passed through on the way back from a band concert.  Sophia and Steve had lunch with her. 

Sophia was in her second hunter show.  This time she rode a school horse and did the lead line and off lead classes.  She placed third and had a great time.  We are careful to help her understand that the fun is in the experience, not just winning.

Sophia loves helping out around the house and helped with some yard work.

I typically take pictures in front of our blooming azalea bushes every May 1st.  That is also Sophia's half birthday.  Which such a mild winter the azalea bushes bloomed  early so these pictures were taken on April 19th.

March update

Another late update!  This month was an exciting one.  Sophia was in her first hunter show.  She rode Elliot and placed second in the lead line class (only two children were competing but we are proud of her nonetheless.)  This is a big deal for Sophia.  She is proud to be one of very few children involved in shows at this young age.

Sophia getting ready for the show.

 

Sophia also had another first this month.  She lost her first tooth.  It happened as she was eating a chicken nugget on the way to a Girl Scout event.

Sophia and Katlyn met at the mall for some lunch and shopping.  It is harder to get the girls together now that they are both in school.

Sophia taking care of her "babies." 

Sophia also went to her first baby shower.  Sophia has played with the niece of the expectant mother a couple of times before.  They both had a blast.  They helped pass things out and hand the gifts to Heather.

February update (a little late)

Where does the time go?  Do I start every post like this?  I should.  Time flies by.  Here it is May and I am writing about February.  I guess it is better late than never.  February was a pretty slow month.  Sophia continues to do well in school.  She says her favorite part of school is recess and lunch (like most kids do!)  She enjoys learning and is excited about her work.  The school is having a science fair in April and Sophia would like to participate.  We have been talking about what kind of experiment she will do.


Sophia went to a Father Daughter Dance in February.  This was a Daisy/Brownie activity  Both Dad and Sophia looked great and had a lot of fun.

Sophia had a blast raising money for Jump Rope for Heart which helps fund research for to prevent/cure heart disease in children.  Sophia made a short video to send out to family and friends.  She raised over $150.  She even donated some of her allowance to this.  She practiced her jump rope skills for weeks.  She loved participating in the activity.

During one of Sophia's horse back riding lessons we were approached by an owner of a four year old thoroughbred (a big horse.)  She would like to start showing her horse more and asked if Sophia would be interested in riding it in shows.  Evidently Sophia shows some natural ability and the owner of the horse spoke to her instructor who is willing to coach Sophia.  We will try it out this spring.  We bought the required outfit on consignment.  Sophia loves the horse back riding but is not thrilled about the outfit!