Sophie and her friends

I love seeing Sophie having fun and being herself... especially when I am not around.  She is a very lucky girl that gets invited to many, many birthday parties.  Here she is at a classmate's party enjoying herself in the tumbling room.  

Happy 72nd Birthday Papa

We celebrated family style with deep dish pizza at Giordanos....

....and Portillos Chocolate Cake for dessert!

A Cultural Weekend

 

 It was a  weekend packed from head to toe - from the Australian friends to soccer and dance to Dad's concert Saturday night and two high school musicals in between.  No wonder we are exhausted on Monday mornings!

Abby, Duncan, and Sophie

Grandma thought it was the best show she had seen in her whole life! : )

We also saw the Little Mermaid this weekend with our friends the Brees and the Shufelts at Waubonsie Valley High School.

 Here is Rodger and the Naperville Chorus at Wentz Hall performing their spring concert... just one of the many shows of the weekend for me, but this one was family performing!

Mini Courses 2018

This year, Abby and most of the girls in first and second grade made "slime".  Sophie chose to do a little acting and do "Mini Broadway" with the School of Performing Arts.  She loved her part and found herself watching the "comedy" lines over and over again on the video that Katie Minott sent me.  All in all, the girls had a great time.

Australian Friends

It was such a wonderful couple of days as Jamie, Eve, and Harper came to visit Naperville for the first time (for the girls).  For Jamie and I, it was awesome to reunite as friends and catch up with each other as well as with Angela and their cousins.  Sophie was most excited as she brought Eve to school for "show and tell" as her real-live Australian friend.  Eve did a small report on her country, the Indigenous people, the Great Barrier Reef, and life in Australia.  Mrs. Samlan's class all wrote questions to ask her about life down under.  It was so fun to be able to share this information and her friends with the class.  Eve and Harper were celebrities, eveyone wanting to play with them and talk to them on the playground.  It was a great experience for all of the girls and they cannot wait for their return visit later in the summer.

Hooray for a day off of school for V... I ran into Abby having a field trip on the Riverwalk.  Mrs. Bibby snapped our photo.

Friends for 25 years

Eve, Abby, Harper, and Sophie 2018

Cousins!

The cookies, the dress...

Words cannot describe how excited we all were after seeing Priscilla's cookie creations for Sophie's First Communion.  Such detail, such talent, such love.... 

Sophie's First Communion

Sophie poised and beautiful at the podium.  I wish I had a photo of me from years ago doing the same thing.  She practiced many times to prepare for her special role to recite the First Reading.

Three generations of one special dress

Love this girl and her look of solemn praying

Proud parents of Sophie

Gorgeous girl on her big day

God parents Uncle David and Loran

Sophie and Stella, friends and RE buddies

One of my favorite photos of the day

 

Sophie chose to have her celebratory lunch at Uncle Julio's because she really loves to make her own tacos (fajitas).  From the homemade guacamole to the delicious meats, this restaurant was a great choice.  We loved the private room and the excellent service.  In addition, the chocolate pinatas were a huge "hit" with all of the kids.  What a great time to celebrate Sophie!

This special dress:  Below is a photo of Valerie in 1982 at Saints Peter and Paul Church at her first communion followed by a photo of Sophie in 2018 at the same church wearing the same dress.  This was also worn by Grandma Karen Binkowski as well as Valerie's Aunt and cousin.  It was probably bought in Detroit around 1954 by Mary Penin, Sophie's great grandma.  This year, Grandma (Karen) took the dress out after many years and carefully handwashed it (with Oxyclean and water) to whiten it up.  The headpiece from the 1980's was not our preference today, but still is intact (though yellowed).  Sophie wore the crown from Valerie's wedding as well as the original veil, along with new white heeled patent leather shoes which she picked out in Bonita Springs, Florida at Dillards.  She also wore cross earrings that belonged to her sister Abby and a necklace given to her from Auntie Lynn.  She was given another necklace from Uncle David, which she wore later in the day.  Sophie also wore her new Pandora bracelet with charms from Grandma and Papa as well as the Binkowski family (Andy, Margret, Ava, Mae, Oscar and Beau).  She received a new rosary from Grandma Janis and Grandpa.

Communion Day Hair

Getting ready for communion...

Sophie and I were busy getting manis and pedis on the day prior to the communion since the day was going to be off to an early start.  After making breakfast for a full house of 12 people by 7 am and showering, I welcomed my great hairdresser Jeanell into our house for Sophie's special updo.  It was a big task to make her look classie but stylish to match her 1950's dress.  Jeanell did an incredible job with her hair and also had time to throw Abby's hair into a cute updo as well.  Here are some photo's of getting ready.