Swimming with Sophie

These are just some pictures from last weekend. It was a veritable mommy and daughter mermaid weekend, as Sophie and I swam on both Saturday and Sunday. On both days, she asked me repeatedly, "Can I go to the deep part, far away?" to which I adamantly replied, "No way."

In time, little girl, in time. For now, stay safely at shore with me.

Good Night Pictorial

When Sophie saw me tinkering with my camera, she pulled my hand and said "Let's take pictures, Mama." She then proceeded to direct the two of us in a short series of pictures. For one, she insisted that we use the flash (when I didn't she'd say "Where's the light, Mama? Turn on the light!")

For picture one, she said "Close your eyes and sleep." She then proceeded to close her own eyes. When she saw in the playback that I didn't, she sternly said, "Mama! I said close your eyes!"

For picture two, she said "Make goggly eyes."

And for the last one, my absolute favorite, she pulled me closer and said, "We're happy." She then gave the sweet, crinkly-eyed smile that always makes the troubles and weariness of the day vanish and fade, the sweet, crinkly-eyed smile that sends me off happy and peaceful sleep, the sweet, crinkly-eyed smile that I live and breathe for.

First Lesson

Lie back daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man's float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.

- Philip Booth

Sunday Morning Swimming

As soon as we saw the sun was shining, Sophie and I made our way (or rather, Sophie shrieked and ran and I followed her) to the pool for our long-postponed, often missed Sunday swim. She takes to swimming like a duck to water - with just closely observing me, she has already learning how to kick, paddle, and do a pretty good freestyle. Here are some pics of our fun morning.

Funny Pics of the Funny Fairy

Just some pics I took of the little charmer before we left for her speech therapy yesterday morning. She surprised me by sitting still and putting on consecutive, effortless million megawatt smiles for the camera. This little girl is going to be a star someday :)

A Sweet Rose in Bloom

Sophie at 4. Getting prettier and prettier each day :)