Wow, I feel like 2015 was a big year for Sophie. She started 3rd grade in September and I learned immediately that 3rd grade is NO JOKE. We just happen to go to a very competitive school that pushes students hard. While I'm grateful to live in an area with such an awesome public school, I can see all the problems with this style of education. And, of course, this just means more work for me. Sophie & I work on homework for at least an hour every night AND THIS IS 3rd GRADE!
Last Spring she also tried out for and gained a spot on a competitive soccer team. This means 4 days of soccer every week. Now you know why I haven't been blogging! It's been a whirlwind since school started. I spend a lot of time thinking about how kids grow up these days and, the majority of the time, I'm thinking I don't like it at all. When I was nine, I was playing in the creek and building forts in the woods. Sophie goes from one activity to the next and every single activity requires hard work from her. I am constantly wondering which activities to continue and which to drop. This might possibly be her first and last year on the competitive soccer team. We shall see.
Sophie also came home a few weeks into school and told us she wanted to run for Student Council. As someone who always took part in Student Council and loved it, I was excited. She wrote her own speech, made her own poster and spoke in front of ALL the 3rd, 4th & 5th graders. And she made it! Alain & I were both so proud of her! It was also obvious that she was very proud of herself. Her teacher confided to me that Sophie won "by a landslide". I wasn't surprised. Sophie is a social butterfly if there ever was one!
Last Spring she also tried out for and gained a spot on a competitive soccer team. This means 4 days of soccer every week. Now you know why I haven't been blogging! It's been a whirlwind since school started. I spend a lot of time thinking about how kids grow up these days and, the majority of the time, I'm thinking I don't like it at all. When I was nine, I was playing in the creek and building forts in the woods. Sophie goes from one activity to the next and every single activity requires hard work from her. I am constantly wondering which activities to continue and which to drop. This might possibly be her first and last year on the competitive soccer team. We shall see.
Sophie also came home a few weeks into school and told us she wanted to run for Student Council. As someone who always took part in Student Council and loved it, I was excited. She wrote her own speech, made her own poster and spoke in front of ALL the 3rd, 4th & 5th graders. And she made it! Alain & I were both so proud of her! It was also obvious that she was very proud of herself. Her teacher confided to me that Sophie won "by a landslide". I wasn't surprised. Sophie is a social butterfly if there ever was one!
As you'll see, when I interviewed Sophie, she said she hated school. This broke my heart. I always loved school. Still do....even when I'm not the student. And I know it's because she is being pushed constantly. Learn more, be more, do more. One of my goals for 2016 is to slow this ship down some.....if it's even possible.
Anyway, I could talk about my Sophie all day, so without further ado, here is the birthday interview for our lovely, colorful, lively, passionate Sophie:
Anyway, I could talk about my Sophie all day, so without further ado, here is the birthday interview for our lovely, colorful, lively, passionate Sophie:
What's your favorite color?
Seafoam Green & Turquoise
Seafoam Green & Turquoise
What's your favorite food?
Mac & Cheese, Burritos, Spaghetti, Rice & Beans
Mac & Cheese, Burritos, Spaghetti, Rice & Beans
Who are your favorite friends?
Kaylie & Summer
Kaylie & Summer
{I failed to mention that we also do Girl Scouts. I say "we"because I'm the troop leader. Our troop went to a local hockey game in January. Sophie is here in the center with two of her friends.}
What's your favorite thing to play?
With Millie, with friends.
What's your favorite animal?
A puppy/dog, dolphin, elephant, black-footed cat.
{I adore this picture and it was just one example of many, many where she was being a wonderful big sister to Clara.}
If you could hop on a plane and go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
New York City & Hilton Head
New York City & Hilton Head
What's your favorite letter?
S, C, H, N
What's your favorite number?
9, 2, 5, 12 & 22
{One of our favorite events of the year is the St. Patrick's Day parade where we march with The Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte.}
Do you like school?
Hate, hate, hate
What's your favorite subject in school?
All the "specials" (Art, Music, PE, etc.)
All the "specials" (Art, Music, PE, etc.)
{At a friend's roller skating birthday party.}
What's your favorite book?
Magic Treehouse, Puppy Place
Magic Treehouse, Puppy Place
What's your favorite word?
Flexible
What's your favorite song?
Anything by Taylor Swift, Adele or Katy Perry.
{Watching the women's final in the World Cup. We were beyond elated at the outcome!}
What's your favorite thing to do?
Swimming, Soccer, Tennis
What makes you happy?
Grandma, Crystal, ,my puppy and you Mom.
{In at least half the photos I took of Sophie this year she was wearing her soccer clothes. I had to include one here.}
What would you like to be when you grow up?
A puppy trainer/sitter.
A puppy trainer/sitter.
When you close your eyes, what do you see?
Darkness & Hubbell.
{First day of 3rd grade}
What is your favorite pet?
Dog, kitten, bunny.
What's your favorite treat?
Reeses, Ice Cream Sundae, Banana Split
Reeses, Ice Cream Sundae, Banana Split
{We took a group of Sophie's friends rock climbing for her birthday. Wow, Sophie is an awesome climber}
What five words would you use to describe yourself?
Playful, restless, girl, flexible, joyful.
{Without question, my favorite photo of Sophie from 2015. I took this while we were sitting on these rocks watching the dolphins feeding at Sunset. It was an intensely beautiful moment.}
I can't wait to see what my beautiful girl accomplishes in 2016. She recently expressed a strong interest in tennis. That's MY sport and I feel so at home and very much myself on the tennis court. My intention is to play a lot more tennis with Sophie in 2016! I look forward to it. The tennis and everything else!!!
XOXOXO,
Audrey
I love this interview!
ReplyDelete(Not just green, SEAFOAM green. Gotta love it!)
And I truly love that last photo of her with the last rays of the sun, that is a stunning photograph.
Wonderful interview but like you, I am sad that she hates school! Dear girl, she is so smart and so sweet, you must be so proud of her! Like mother, like daughter! xx
Thank you for the sweet comment, Kay!!!
DeleteOne of the things I missed most about your blogging hiatus was no birthday interviews. This was wonderful to read; although, I wince when I read that Sophie hates school. Obviously she is bubbling over with enthusiasm about life which comes out in her multiple answers to so many questions. And kudos to Sophie for going out for student council. It's not easy for a third grader to stand up and give a speech in front of the older kids. I encouraged many of my third graders to go for student council and other things. I do think our young kiddos are over- scheduled and over-pressured, starting in the classroom itself! I used to worry about my girls as they moved on to fourth grade because there is such a cultural bias against smart girls, especially in math and science. It breaks my heart. I think it's a wise goal to slow things down a little, if you can manage that. The last picture of her is spectacular. Please thank Sophie for sharing her thoughts and journey. You're an awesome mom!
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