The Supermuppet Turns 14!

Hahahaha.  Sophie, Sophie, Sophie.  What a ride it's been!  From arriving 3 weeks early; to introducing us to the brave, new world of asthma, allergies, and eczema; to growing into an intelligent, kind, and lovely young lady who is not afraid to use her voice (loudly) to let us know what she thinks about pretty much everything -- she has kept us on our toes. 😂

(Fun fact -- apparently I don't know how to spell Sophie's name.  Hahahahahahaha.  Or at least not while bubble-letter-ing it out.  It wasn't until I had started coloring in the letters on her birthday poster that I realized I had left out the "H."  And then it made me laugh when I remembered that I had done the EXACT same thing on her 8th birthday banner.  Except that time I didn't even notice it.  It wasn't until I heard one of her friends asking if that's how she spelled her name, that I realized I had forgotten the "H."  The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess.  Hahahaha.)

This year Sophie's birthday fell on a Sunday, and we did our best to celebrate Covid-style.  Although, if we're being honest, we were already practicing the pandemic approach to parties LONG before the coronavirus reached our shores.  Hahahaha.  Aside from key birthdays (5, 8, 12, and 16) when the kids can have a "friend party," our celebrations are ALWAYS just the fam.  And usually right here at home.  Occasionally we've gone and done some kind of activity as a family -- Sophie has had more than one outing to an ice skating rink, for instance -- but more often than not, we have our birthday parties at home with cake and presents provided by the rest of us.  

Sophie is rocking the "curtain bang" look while growing out her pandemic bangs.  ;)

Sophie was pretty low key this year and didn't really have any requests or suggestions for what she wanted for her big day, other than sirloin tips and rice for her birthday meal and a Criminal Minds themed cake for the "party."  I was only able to come through for 1 out of 2 of those requests, so you could argue that Sophie's 14th birthday was a bit of a flop, but thankfully, SHE didn't think it was.  Hahahaha.  She very graciously authorized a pivot on the cake front when it came out of the oven, but wouldn't come out of the pan, rendering my design plans un-salvageable.  DOH!!!  I don't know what the problem was, but it was a crumbly mess.  And the cupcakes I ended up using instead were almost just as bad!  It was a highly aggravating situation, made more aggravating when the frosting I whipped up ALSO had issues.  Double DOH!  Oh well -- she handled it all with grace and aplomb and for that I was grateful.  {Because I really didn't want to have to start over and make another cake from scratch.}

It's a little ironic that her cake ended up looking like a crime scene, don't ya think?

Voila!  The finished product.  Seriously -- just look at that frosting.  🙈

Sophie was happy and excited about all of the presents that the kids picked out, but if I had to choose the real winner in the bunch, it would definitely be Grace's.  In case you didn't know, it's apparently possible these days to hire C-List celebrities to record messages for money.  I know, right??  We are living in the strangest of timelines.  Hahahaha.  Be that as it may, Grace forked over some cash money to pay a former kid star -- from the Nickelodeon show, Victorious -- to wish Sophie a Happy Birthday!  It was kind of hilarious and Sophie was absolutely tickled pink.  {Side note -- is it possible that Grace is overtaking ME as the world's best gift giver???  Hahahahahaha.}

The excitement was real, let me tell ya.

  

Sinjin Van Cleef -- circa 2012 or so

We finished off the evening with a rousing game of Balderdash (Sophie's final request) and -- in the end -- I think her birthday was more hit than miss.  Which is always a good thing.  😊  My birthday is the next one on the horizon, but before we get there, we have the 5 Days of Valentine to celebrate.  February is the funnest!  Amiright??  Hahaha.

A label maker from Ethan -- because as he so dryly put it, "We went to WALGREENS." 

Lots of candy for her gifts.  I guess Walgreens only has so much of a selection.  Hahaha.

Happy 14th Birthday, Supermuppet!!!  We love you.  💖