Five.

This little lady turned FIVE years old today!

 ...and every birthday girl loves a barking-dog-singing birthday card!

(If it's possible to run it out of batteries, she will!)

 We've been really into games lately... Soph picked Sequence to play on her special day.

Birthday swimming!

 Birthday climbing/Follow the Leader

Birthday dinner at P.F. Changs.

Back story:  We don't eat Chinese as a whole family due to the concern of tree nuts in their cooking.  So Chinese is a special treat for Sophie and me when the boys are away.  For Soph's bday she requested going out to a Chinese restaurant...and so we had to do some investigating.  Come to find out, P.F. Chang's goes to great lengths to make sure customers with allergies can eat there.  Lucas's food was cooked in a separate place, away from the rest.  I was thoroughly impressed to say the least.  And thankful...that the birthday girl got her way AND we could be together as a family!

 I introduced Soph to Shirley Temples... she loved it (especially the cherries hidden inside).

My mom joined us for a few days prior to Soph's birthday.  We opened a few presents early so Grandma could enjoy the fun.  This year we took the plunge and bought Sophie a dollhouse- which was a group gift from us, Grandma and Grandpa, and Nali.  Soph already has quite a collection of goodies inside!

Nope, it's not your eyes.  Sophie has her shirt on backwards (and it's highly likely her undies are that way too).  I guess that's how 5 yr olds wear their clothes! :)

Sophie, I had to document this.  Daddy and I stayed up real late the night before you opened your dollhouse.  It was a blast putting it together.  We laughed a lot and talked about you and how much we love your goofy-ness.  : )

Soph,
On your 5th birthday you:
-- weighed 37 lbs.
-- wanted chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting
--wanted a real doggie but were excited with your dollhouse.  (Every trip to Hobby Lobby lately you insisted on looking at the dollhouse furniture!)
-- played all day with your brothers (Oh how you love them.  You play SO well with both of them.  You and Lucas can entertain/play together for hours and hours without a single squabble.  Yes, there are times you two get into an argument, but it doesn't happen too often!)
-- asked for pink pancakes for breakfast (which I made for you of course)
-- requested a trip to the library- one of your favorite spots!

Love you, sweetheart.  You continue to amaze Daddy and me each and every day-- with your ability to make us laugh...out...loud.  You are the only 5 year old I know who goes from pretend play with her doggies to reading books quietly on her bed to dancing in circles while singing made up songs to gently snuggling with her baby brother.  You are truly ONE OF A KIND.  Oh how we love you so....

Happy 5th birthday, Soph-a-ria.
XOXO

Mommy and Daddy