It appears it’s now a tradition, and it’s definitely one of my favourite blogs to write. Sophia’s birthday blog.

Here we are, 10.40pm on 31st July 2025 and we have a four year old! We know so much about her now that it’s hard to believe she was once a little blob with all that personality still waiting to shine out of her.

So, what do we know about Sophia from this year? Firstly, she is such a wonderful big sister! She has come on so much over the past year, and a lot of that is to do with the arrival of her little brother. She’s kind and patient. It hasn’t always been easy, but she has learned to share well (almost all of the time!). She’s got really good at watching ‘quiet’ TV (any Julia Donaldson on iplayer) while I feed Adian to sleep.

Sophia loves her stories. Her favourites include the pants book (which lives at Granny and Bubba’s) Highway Rat (which she acts out, stomping across her room), Mole’s bedtime story and anything Princess Poppy.

Speaking of Poppy, Sophia loves her dolls! Her very favourite is baby Poppy. I’m not sure if she’s named after me or Poppy Cotton from the books, but either way it’s quite cute. Poppy has been with us all over the place, and I’ve often looked up from whatever I’ve been doing with Aidan to see Sophia doing the same with baby Poppy, from feeding her, to playing with her, to the way she is carrying her!

Sophia has a very favourite meal now: fish and chips with ketchup and mushy peas. She’s happy with them cooked in the oven, but she likes nothing better than going to the chippie to pick them up!

Our little girl is following in her Mummy’s footsteps in her love of theatre! One highlight for both of us this year was going to see Calamity Jane in Liverpool. We had the best day. We’ve also had a great time falling in love with the Wicked film together! Sophia loves to sing and dance. I think the puppet theatre that arrived from Polly and Martin today (pictured above) will be a big hit for many months to come!

From twirls at Tappy Toes, to performing to the Richards family on the decking on holiday, she belts out Let It Go with all her might. She’s yet to master all the words, though. ‘Let it go, let it go, I’ll rise like the bacon door‘ is a personal favourite of mine.

It has to be said, though, with two such similar personalities and love of dramatics, we sometimes clash, Soph and I! We didn’t have too bad a time when Sophia was two, but three has been a bit more testing, on occasion. One morning recently, Nathan sent me upstairs to have a few minutes on my own because Sophia and I were butting heads over… a bowl. I don’t even know how we got into the discussion now, but sometimes we can push each others buttons just right!

And yet, it could never diminish my love for her. There is nobody I love more than I love Sophia! She is such a funny and kind girl. She encourages us all, especially her brother. She is thoughtful and helpful. She’s been known to bring me snacks from the kitchen when I’ve been feeding Aidan, just because she thought to, not because she was asked. Mind you, she’s also refused to fetch me the wipes in the middle of a poonami, so, swings and roundabouts!

We have spent more time together this year than ever before because I’ve been on my leave with Adian. I’ve loved hanging out with her at a slower pace. Don’t want to go to church today, Soph? That’s OK! Fancy a trip to feed the ducks? Let’s go! Want to stick a film on? Why not!

In a few weeks there will be more change again. School, nursery, church, after school club, more routines, a different way of life. I know she’ll take it all in her stride. Three was great, bring on four!

Happy birthday to our best girl x