Sophia turns 16  this week and we had a beach bonfire party for her yesterday. She invited many friends, all lovely girls (there was one boy, also very nice) and we had a wonderful time. Paul and I were there, as well as Keith and Jared, and all of our kids, with the exception of Sam.

I was so proud of Sophia watching her interact with her friends who are all very much like her: poised, confident, academic young women with lofty goals and high aspirations. Most are on the UC/private college track and some I am sure will be accepted to Ivy League schools. If I sound like I am bragging I apologize, but I feel like I have a right to considering the many obstacles Sophia has had to overcome. She did not learn to read until the end of third grade. She has also struggled in math. I used to have her excused from standardized tests because she could not read them. We took her to learning specialists and tutors.  She was in remedial reading classes. Her confidence was pretty shot for  a long time, but she never gave up. Whatever Sophia has lacked in natural ability she has made up for in sheer perseverence, intestinal fortitude and hard work. She is now a straight A student with a very bright future.  She tells me she wants to apply to Harvard, Standard and University of Notre Dame  to which I say, “You go girl!”

Her one birthday request of me was for a very special cake. We went to  an upscale bakery and Sophia designed the cake herself choosing the colors and the style. It is kind of a whimsical stack of birthday presents. It was delicious too. I was delighted to grant her request.