She decided to semi-formal

She looked gorgeous in her new dress (Simon's for the win!)
and comfortable in her borrowed (!) hightops

And could she be a teen in 2023 without the bathroom selfie?!

It seems like it was a load of fun with a pile of friends 

and good memories of great dance moves abound

 

Our Sebastian

Bumping into Dad on their commutes home

The silver lining to dropping Seb at work on a Sunday morning

 - best bakery in Toronto AND a pal of Sophie works the (busy!!) counter; oh, and spending time with Sebastian

Seb at work in Kensington Market

Courage My Love

 

Dressed to head out

The guncles & pearls

As a young woman, Sophie's Auntie R espoused that with pearls and penknife, a woman could go anywhere. So 16 rolled around and it was time to ensure that Sophie had both. The latter updated for 2023 with dear and multi-talented Uncle Arthur.

 

Our Sophie

Whether she is clambering through her cityscape or glammed up (in her mother's wool ski top from ~1978!) or on the trails, she is a wonder to behold and so fun to hang with

 

Dog - doing his winter thing

 

January was for ...

divvying up their mother's cast off bits of jewelry

d

and buying one's own...

determining what hair care works for you as a 16 year old proud of her locks 

and catching the rays whenever we can 

 

Sweet and sour

She does like it, promise!

 

New Year's Closed House

Given the prevalence of COVID and different people's comfort levels, we debated long and hard about what to do this year. We settled on a New Year's Day "Closed House" for 20. Everyone tested before coming and we had fun!

Family friends are fabulous!

Some of the youngsters

New Year's Day is new presents day

Sophie just adores spending time with these women

Multi-day, multi-person New Year's day prep

The kids both got behind the planning and prep. Before all of us head off to various NYE parties. 

52:52

Wherever, whenever, Sophie loves to read and managed 52 books in 52 weeks. Hats off to that wonderful and enjoyable achievement!!