Sophie's 10th Birthday

 On July 28th, 2021, Sophie turned 10 years old!  I can't believe we've had her for a decade.  None of my pets ever lasted that long. :)

She started her day with donuts!

 

She got her very own bee-keeper suit and tree for her bedroom.

    

Sophie really likes horses, and wanted to do something horse-related for her party.  I looked all over for a horseback riding birthday party place, and couldn't find one.  I would think that would be a huge market for all these elementary age girls who are obsessed with horses.  I found lots of places where you could rent a Shetland Pony with a unicorn horn and take walks around the street, but nothing for lots of girls to ride real horses at the same time.

 

Then we had a great idea to take the girls to a rodeo for her party.  Sophie thought it was a great idea.  So all the girls came to our house for pizza.  Then we gave them each a goodie bag with some treats and a drink for the rodeo, and a little toy horse.  Most of the girls had never been to a rodeo before.  I think some of them really enjoyed it, and others were bored.  But it was a really easy party, and Sophie loved it.

  

Here are some things about Sophie:

• Sophie is entering the stage where she is "too big" to play with the kids and wants to feel grown-up, but gets bored listening to the adults talk.  
• Sophie loves to read and will often vanish to read a book somewhere.
• Sophie is good at playing the flute.  She wants to be a good musician, but doesn't want to practice.
• Sophie can be a really good helper with Hazel.  She often sits and reads books with her.  But she also lets Hazel beat her up too much and push her around.  She is really patient with Hazel and often just laughs at her and always says how funny she is.
• Sophie is a peacemaker and doesn't like to be around people who are fighting or arguing.  She is very sensitive and wants to make everyone feel included.
• She is a quiet leader.  Sophie often gets the neighborhood girls to form clubs or play games that she invents, but she isn't pushy or bossy at all.  She is just really creative and has good ideas that people like to join in on.
• She is super artistic.  She still loves doing crafts, but lately has been drawing lots of horses.  She is also really good at drawing nature items--like flowers.
• I think that Sophie is ready for school to start again and she is looking forward to seeing her school friends again.

Sophie is such a smart, kind, beautiful girl.  We often get frustrated with her for leaving her stuff scattered all over the house.  And she really doesn't like cleaning up after herself.  But other than that, she is a really great helper and a good example to her siblings.  We love Sophie so much!