later is better than never, right?

i have been pathetic about blogging...and it's because of life and work and family getting in the way...and seriously, i love looking back over the years and seeing it all play out in pictures and words, so i'm doing the "better late than never approach"...

sofia turned 4 in january...i know it's mid february, but remember the theme!

i should start by saying that sofia had planned every detail of the birthday experience, down to the order in which we could tell her happy birthday.

nana played into the whole game and mailed her a package for her big day, which included a "birthday girl" ribbon, which she donned proudly for 2 days prior and on her actual birthday. in her words, "this way people can say, "well look, there's birthday girl, let's say hi!"

{don't you just wish she was more outgoing?}

off we went with her plans...first was church, with the ribbon, of course. then out to "bee-bee's" (applebee's) for lunch for the french fries...and home for the "surprise" not surprise party and dq ice cream cake.

but before we could do the cake...we had to fully orchestrate the "surprise" portion of the party...that she had planned.

so, the not surprise, surprise party has happened. sofia hid under the couch with her friend, kameron, and we all counted to 3. then everyone, sofia included, jumped out and yelled "happy birthday"!

it was quickly followed by sofia running down the hall...yelling "surprise" on her own and giggling with joy. {{paige was not amused, but cooperated. and yes, we do have it all on video.}}

we headed to pound the ice cream cake...but were told by princess sofia that there was singing to be done, led by...her!

and there' nothing like friends. little kameron...do you think she and sofia could be cuter bff's from the cul-de-sac? seriously adorable!

we had big time fun...and all planned out by the 4 year old...and i have to say, i'm super grateful that it was that easy and that fun. i'm kinda blessed in an amazing way with a super fun kiddo...who's pretty darn cute too!

so we did the amazing jumping birthday party...{{ok, well, the jumping place is free on monday's so that's when we went...a little late, but she loved it}}. so the next day, we went jump free...and extended the fun!!

everyone played to their hearts content...although jada really wanted to win the gold watch in the claw game. sad.

the big slide...it's the bomb!!

they jumped and played and bounced and ran...and all was well. even dad got into the gig of it all...he'll never grow up!

well, happy bday to my baby girl, sofia. she made us an even fam of 6...a fam that learned to roll even more with what you have....and she's certainly taught me more and more to laugh through it all...and plan a little too.

{oh, paige...yes, she is still living, but she's almost 17 and just isn't into the whole "getting in the picture"...i'll catch her soon enough!}
you've come a long way, baby.