party!

What a great day we had today. It was Sophia's 3rd birthday party, and it was a fabulous time. I was reflecting out loud to Wade how much our friends just come along and help us pull off these huge crazy parties we throw ourselves into and it just works.

Maria who saved the day by grabbing the last minute things from the store, Hillary who stayed for an hour after doing all the dishes, Jennifer who bought sidewalk chalk and fabulous fruit skewers (both of which i really wanted), so many others who brought and helped...Angela who made the BEST CAKE EVER (TWICE!!!!) and of course, Sandra - who arrived early, picked up my Dad from the bus, made all the sandwiches, did all the party dishes beforehand and then took incredible photos that are not only beautiful, but with an eye for capturing the moments. This is the eye and the heart that loves and breaks so easily and I'm so glad she is devoted to me and mine and capturing our lives like no other...






Yes, this is a turtle. Another amazing, gentle, lovely, talented friend, Areli made this gorgeous little turtle who comes out of his shell. Sophia has named him Kookamunga Head. Kookamunga Head is currently tucked into bed with Sophia, and Areli is so good at knitting she has her own knitting blog, which you can check out here.




And...not only did Angela make this incredible cake, but she and Leigh found Sophia a bike and tricked it out with basket, tassels, stickers, princess gel seat and more so it is absolutely the coolest bike ever. And of course she had to have Dora helmet and knee pads and elbow pads too. Those of you who know them will recognize that it is not Wade and I behind Sophia in the photo as she gets on her first big girl bike, but very clearly Angie and Leigh behind her in the "ready to catch her" pose. That pretty much says everything you need to know about them. It's no wonder we love them.




While there were many people I wish could have joined us from around the world, I especially missed Ralph today. He has so much been a part of Soph's life that it was very wrong not to see him here, back and forth from Soph to Ari, joining in with the Jonathan Davies-instigated water fight...you may be pulling a latte for a London businessman today Ralph, but your spirit was here, just behind the blue swing...can't wait 'til April, when I will bring you a THREE year old flower girl and another one year old to charm.

P.S. The 'cheeky uncle of the day' award goes to the man who fed Eleanor a blue Twizzler. You know who you are.