As may very well become our custom, we hosted an open house for Sophia’s birthday. The event serves the dual purposes of getting to see many of our friends that we haven’t seen in a while and celebrating Sophia’s birthday. Aside from the fact that the sun decided to be an active participant in this year’s festivities, we all had a really good time. Most importantly, Sophia had an absolute blast. We also were able to get several of our friends together that we have been trying to introduce to one another.

Of course, this format may not work as well for Alexander’s birthday, since he is in mid-winter. Oh well, I am sure his celebration will be great, too.

Note to all other parents of young children: We got a lot of feedback that the “format” worked very well. We opened our doors in the early afternoon and invited folks to drop by whenever they wanted for as long as they wanted. This definitely helped with toddler/infant nap schedules. Some stayed for 30 minutes as they squeezed us in between competing weekend events. (Thank you!) Some stayed for hours. It was great to be able to see people for any period of time.

We are so blessed with so many wonderful friends who would take time of their hectic lives to help us celebrate. We are genuinely grateful.

We are especially grateful that Dave’s parents (a.k.a. abuela and grandpa) made the trip down from DC. Especially since two days prior they had just arrived back in the country from a month in Spain. WOW! We love you.

Photos from Sophia’s 2nd Birthday

Here are the pictures from Sophia’s second birthday.

Videos of Sophia’s 2nd Birthday

Terrible recording of us singing happy birthday to Sophia. Direct Link to YouTube video

Sophia having fun, as usual, with the Mackes. Direct Link to YouTube Video
(Forgive Daddy’s awful singing)

"Agua!" - Sophia and the Ocean

Guess you can tell from the title, but in case you missed it and the pic to the left, we went to the beach.  It was Sophia’s first ever beach trip, and she had a blast. She wasn’t really quite sure what to do with the breaking waves. The pool at home certainly doesn’t act that way! The water was a little rough since Tropical Storm Danny had just passed off shore the day before.

The crazy part is that this trip almost didn’t happen because Sophia was a bit under the weather the morning we planned to leave. In fact, she had been awake a good chunk of the night before. Our plans to be on the road by 9:30am were delayed when she slept in until 11:15! That was because Mommy Michele finally broke down at around 6:30am and gave Sophia the pacifier that she hadn’t had in close to two months. (I guess getting more teeth is not a pleasant experience. Good thing we don’t remember anything before the age of 2. Thanks for that tidbit, Cousin Michelle!)

Nom Nom Nom

We opted to take Highway 70 to Atlantic Beach rather than Interstate 40. That likely ended up taking longer, but was a slightly more interesting drive. More importantly, we got to stop off for an Eastern NC barbecue lunch in Goldsboro. We stopped at Wilber’s Barbecue.  That was definitely a treat for Daddy Dave.  But Sophia didn’t mind it either. She inhaled her share of hush puppies, june peas, and barbecue. (For those unfamiliar with the noun usage of the word “barbecue”,  you can learn all about NC BBQ here.)

We went to the beach our friends the Macke’s and their two beautiful children, Jessica and Alex. Since Mommy Michele thinks of everything, she wisely suggested we get adjoining rooms with the Mackes. That was a huge success for the kids.  They loved being able to run in between rooms. It was funny getting Sophia up in the morning and watching her walk immediately to the closed door, point to it, look at us, and grunt. Words, no. But the message was unmistakable.

Sophia just chillin'

Sophia really enjoyed going to the beach and playing with the sand.  I think one of her beach highlights was probably sitting in her friend’s chair.  She sat in that thing all the time and just people-watched.  She especially liked watching the Mackes (Dad, mostly) building sand castles and sand walls. She’s got supervisor in her blood. Other than going for brief strolls on the sand, her other favorite beach activity was probably getting rides in plastic, beach wagon that she barely fit in. I think we’ll need to get her a wagon of some kind cuz she loves getting pulled around like that.

The three kids are like peas in a pod.  (Watch the video below if you don’t believe me.) They just had a great time playing with each other in the pool and in the hotel room. It’s so cliche, but I am fascinated but by how amazingly happy it makes us just to see our daughter content and having fun. Daddy Dave keeps trying to tell himself he is not wrapped around Sophia’s finger, but he is lying to himself.

The last night we were there, we all went out for a lovely dinner at the Channel Marker. (Good Stuff!) We tried to go early since we had three kids less than 3 1/2 years of age. For our sanity, for that of fellow patrons, and cuz the kids probably wouldn’t last that long. On that last point, we were wrong. All the kids were very well behaved.  Sophia and Jessica even ended up dancing to some live sax jazz. Very nice evening indeed.

Everyone had a great time, and we just beat the rains to the highway for the trip home.  As is this blog’s tradition, we finish with a photo slideshow and the previously mentioned video.

PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP

As usual, view the individual photos at your own pace here.

VIDEO FROM THE TRIP