Our Sophie

Do you see this tall, statuesque young lady? With sparkling eyes, a keen fashion sense and a sweet smile? With my children clinging to her like a mast in a shipwreck? That's our Sophie. She babysat our kids all through the prep for the move, and our kids love her like nobody's business. She was in town with her mom, and we were so grateful that they carved out so time out of their brief trip to visit us. Lucy hid behind me for precisely eight seconds and immediately claimed Sophie as her sole playmate in her new room. I can't blame her; I did the same with Elizabeth, Sophie's mom. We had a delicious couple of hours of gossip about our husbands' mutual work (her husband works at the NY office of Evan's company) and fashion and schools and kids and Maplewood Online. It was divine. 

Sophie even babysat the little guys so I could attend Oscar's award ceremony without my usual needy entourage.

Sometimes, I get really lucky. I've known Sophie since she was a toddler (I used to work with her dad too). Over the years, I got to know her wonderful folks at work and around town. Years later, I was lucky enough to know her as a treasured babysitter and part of our family. When parents of one muse over having another kid, Sophie is the anecdotal kid I bring up as a great only -- doted on by her parents, confident in the world, beloved by friends and the kids she babysits for. She has really grown into a spectacular young lady and I can't wait to see what the future holds for her on her new adventure.

You'll note that Lucy is wearing her 3rd birthday dress, which I have banned from wear once the skirt went north of her knees. But every single babysitting session with Soph ended up in Lucy wearing this dress; I wasn't surprised to come home to find Lucy wearing it.