kara

Sophie recently received a birthday package from Mel and Great Auntie Bear, my grandma’s sister. In it were all sorts of little trinkets and play things Sophie now loves, including a tiny, beautiful handmade purse made by Mel’s mom. I’ve never met Great Auntie Bear or Mel—they live in Seattle—but we hope to, someday. I have my grandpa to thank for putting us in touch with each other via e-mail. I think he knew we’d get along well—and we do. Thanks so much for the package, GA Bear and Mel!

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” —Jane Howard

Earlier this month Sophie and I met Tari, Whitney and Lauren at Sawyer Point. But first we met a woman who loved pink, loved her dog and loved Sophie.

The woman insisted Sophie walk her dog for a bit, which Sophie of course, loved.

While waiting for her friends Sophie “vacuumed” the park with her baseball bat.

It was a beautiful spring day.

They came bearing gifts! Whitney and Lauren got Sophie a new outfit, sunglasses, book and a fairy-tale-worthy purse for her birthday. Thanks, Whitney and Lauren!

Next up, lots of running and ball rolling. Although all three are talking now, they don’t talk much to each other (except when Sophie screeched “I don’t want to share!” when stealing Lauren’s pretzels). But they do play together now, which is so much fun.

Play time was followed by snack time and then, a late lunch at Don Pablos on the river. Fun day.

“The language of friendship is not words but meanings.” —Henry David Thoreau

Late March we had the pleasure of meeting William Domaschko, Jill and Dirk’s new son. He’s beautiful and slept almost the entire time we were there, despite Sophie’s meltdown over juice. Congratulations, Jill and Dirk! We’re so very happy for you.

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet,
regardless of time, place or circumstance.
The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.” —ancient Chinese belief

Because every lab needs a plastic, Cincinnati Reds, hat-shaped, ice-cream-bowl hat.

“The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.” —Samuel Butler

The weekend before Easter my dad’s side of the family met at my uncle Mark’s and aunt Tammy’s house. Aunt Tammy put together Easter baskets for all the kids, which Sophie loved. (Thanks again, Aunt Tammy!)

We ate delicious (and beautiful!) cake and cookies from Sandra and Uncle Roger brought homemade ice cream—a Gebhart family staple.

Sophie spent a lot of time playing with Greg.

Here’s Josh showing off his latest model.

The kids loved Aunt Tammy’s new bird.

It was so good to see everyone.

“Well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter
That maketh the leaf and the flower come out.” —Bertran de Born

After Connor’s party we stopped by Zoey’s family birthday party (I love that my friends now have parties). Check out her cake, which Angel and Marty made!

I spent a lot of time playing with Zoey and her cousins, Joshua, Hayden and Nina.

After a delicious dinner, cake! (This wasn’t all mine. I had to share with Mom.)

Mom said I should sit with her while Zoey opened her presents, but she let me help when Zoey was opening the gift I got her. I think she liked it!

Thanks, Zoey, for inviting me to your party!

“How far that little candle throws his beams!” —William Shakespeare

Several weeks ago Mom took me to Connor’s 1st birthday party. We got to wear masks (although I held mine) while we looked for Easter eggs filled with candy!

Like this one!

Connor can do so much now—look at him walking down the hill!

I also got to meet Molly, Susan and Nate’s new baby girl (William was there, too!).

And then Connor got to eat cake. And he didn’t even cry when everyone sang to him! I was so impressed—he’s so brave.

Thanks, Connor, for inviting me to your party!

“All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” —George Harrison

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” —Gwyneth Paltrow

Several weeks ago Sophie, Andy, my dad and I took a trip to the zoo on an unseasonably warm March Saturday. Sophie liked the elephants and giraffes best (well, aside from the ice cream), and after every new animal requested we go back and see the elephants and giraffes. (We, of course, did before leaving.)

“Life is a zoo in a jungle.” —Peter De Vries

Sophie takes Doll Baby most everywhere now—walks around the neighborhood, errands, trips to the park. It’s imperative Doll Baby’s stroller gets loaded into the van whenever we leave, and Sophie is well-versed in feeding, burping and changing Doll Baby’s diaper (which, of course, requires way more wipes than necessary). Sophie often throws Doll Baby on her head, though, when frustrated, which makes us think she isn’t quite ready to babysit the babies to come on her own—at least yet.

“A girl is Innocence playing in the mud, Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot.” —Allan Beck