Since my last post, Ella has developed a bit of competition as Sophie's BFF. The new kid on the block is Belle. Her favorite color is pink and she is a diva, complete with furry boots and matching accessories. The jury is out as to whether she is a good influence on Sophie who is already girly to the max. Time will tell.
The story--one day about a month ago, a card arrived in the mail addressed to Sophie Ruth Doyle from her godparents. She could not have been more excited. Mail! Yay! Even better, the card contained a $20 bill and a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble. Thank you Miss Hope and Mr. Ralph! So generous.
After many conversations about how to spend her gift, Sophie decided firmly on a trip to Build-a Bear. I told her that I would buy her B & N gift card off of her which gave her a small fortune to spend. The only problem was the morning of our outing, we could not find the gift card. Grace and Sophie had been playing with it and, after some searching, it was MIA. What to do? $20 wouldn't buy Sophie much of anything. In the end, I did not teach the hard lesson and agreed to give her the $25 anyway. (I found the gift card today under some papers beside my bed. St. Anthony must have approved of my decision :)
First stop, the food court and Chik Fil A for Sophie's favorite food and people watching
love this face
After lunch, we headed down the "alligator" to Build a Bear. Sophie had chosen her new friend on a quick tour of the store before lunch so selection was speedy.
the most important part
I never really understood this part
Taking good care
official naming
Sophie and I discussed names before and after lunch. The three possibilities were "Kitty", "Belle" and "Gisele", all from movies. I was pulling for Gisele but think that Belle fits perfectly. (I have a feeling that this process will be oft-repeated in the future...)
Ready to go
Belle couldn't be happier with her new play set.....
Belle in all her glory
pink fur, pink vest, pink boots, pink headband, pink purse, pink hearts on her sweater
and PINK BED
Better view of her best accessory....I want a purse just like hers...in my size
I have to admit, I may have had more fun on our outing than Sophie. It wasn't my first time at Build-a-Bear but as the girls get older, it has gotten more fun. And going with the pink theme made things more interesting. I also have to hand it to the company. The employees are great and the selection, phenomenal. It's shopping and entertainment in one. I want to go back for my own. I saw a very cool Star Wars outfit I'd like to try on a dog.....
On a more somber note, I confess to being very sad over the news about Whitney Houston today. So sad in fact that I did something that may bring much pain and suffering to Chris....I bought her greatest hits album.
Why is it that so many of the stars that provided the backdrop for us '80s kids have self-destructed? In her song The Greatest Love of All, Ms Houston observes, "I never found anyone to fulfill my needs". I suspect that's the key. More than money, success or fame, we all need to find love within a community. It's a reminder to me as a mom to give my all every day to loving those in my own life. It's all I can do and hopefully enough.
Whether you liked Whitney Houston's music or not, say a prayer for her today. What a way to exit this world.
Happy New Week Everyone!
