I don't know anyone who is more set in her ways than Sophie.  When she decides that its time to do something, it happens that moment.  It was that way when she stopped using a nuk, when she got herself out of diapers, and learned how to ride a bike.  She's very determined and once she puts her mind to a task, its as good as done.  The flip side is also true - if she doesn't want to do it, its not going to happen.  We've all been waiting patiently for her to turn five because that was the timeline she'd set for a lot of important things - getting herself dressed, riding a bike (she bumped that date up earlier this winter), going to bed on her own.  And luckily for us, that day has finally come.  On the morning she turned five, she was like a whole new young woman.

Last weekend Sophie had her first kid-style birthday party.  To my kids, birthday parties mean bowling - so we set out to have our first birthday party at the Cold Spring Lanes.  Here's Sophie with her friends: Jordan, Martin, Josie, Lily, and Madelyn.


They loved the shoes like you can only before you start thinking about things like germs.


The boys were pretty serious about bowling, finishing three GAMES to the girls six FRAMES.  The girls spent a lot of time doing things like laying on the floor, talking to the magic meatball in the hallway, and chugging pixie stix.


These two met at preschool and look a little bit like they could be sisters.


Five: the year where everything can happen.