Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

This little peanut, who came into the world calmly and peacefully on a Tuesday afternoon, is now a girl of eight !  She has blossomed into a charming and clever little person who entertains us with witty anecdotes, astute impersonations, and lively dance moves. Her baby sister, who refers to her as, 'my friend Sophie' finds her enchanting and yearns for her return anytime she is out. To her older sister, she is often best friend and playmate (except when she is 'worst enemy' and 'the meanest girl in the world').  Let's keep it real here. Sophia, we love watching you become more and more YOU everyday. You have a magnetic personality, and you seem to find friends everywhere you go. We like being around you because you love us just the way we are; We like the way you make us feel about ourselves, and THAT is some gift! You bring your own sunshine, your own creative and energetic solutions to problems, and your own sensible approach to life's ...

No, I am certainly not talking politics for heaven's sake.  We had the kind of tea party with little cakes and tea sandwiches and pots filled with lemonade (since my daughter Sophia correctly assumed that her eight-year-old friends would want nothing to do with proper hot tea).  The last big birthday party we had for Sophie happened when she turned five.  It was a pirate-themed party .  There were lots of boys and girls there, and it was energetic and wonderful.  There was plenty of energy at today's party also, but the guests were all female and slightly older and wiser.  Prior to the party the guest of honor and her big sister were supremely helpful, and that was a very pleasant change! First thing this morning we made two full trays of chocolate-dipped strawberries, and when we sat down to tea, these were devoured almost instantly by the eight little girls sitting round the table.  I managed to snag one of them, and it was perfectly wonderf...