Friday at the Houston Zoo

Samantha's first trip to the zoo was about a year ago. Now that she is familiar with animals and their sounds, the zoo was much more fun the second time around.We spent a lot of time visiting each animal...especially the "ninkos."Sam spent about a half an hour straight chasing butterflies. While at the elephants, she must have found ants because her hand had a bunch of bites. We took a quick trip to the first aid clinic for ointment. They gave us 2 tokens for the carousel just for visiting...we'll have to remember that next time.She could have riden 8 times! The reptiles and fish were also an exciting stop. She spent time at each window finding the frogs, turtles and fish.

We are potty training!

First, the baby...then Sammie.

Next time won't you sing with me...

double s = W

More Sleep...

Sam has always been a great sleeper. Now, don't think I am about to tell you otherwise...there has just been a modification to her current wake-up routine.

We put her to bed at 8:30pm. She wakes up around 9am. I get her up, change her diaper and get her dressed and we begin our day with breakfast and Mickey Mouse.

Until lately...her new morning conversation is as follows..."Mama down."
I get her out of bed.

"No diaper."
Refuses a diaper change and immediately says,

"Piddow. Blankie. 2 Binkies.
More Sleep."
She is asking for her pillow and blankie so she can lay on the floor with her binkies, and yes, there are 2 of them.

"Mama, go away. More Sleep."
Seriously, she is asking me to go away! So...I leave. And she stays. Today she laid there for another half hour. Alone. On the floor.

Name That Tune...

Despite being in the throws of the Terrible Twos, Sam manages to have moments as priceless as these...

"I know you...gleam in your eye!"
She loves, I repeat, loves Sleeping Beauty...which she pronounces as "sleep jewoolie."

Sam loves dancing with her baby while singing. When she puts baby in between her legs, she is "dipping" her.

Thank you Steve, Jillian & Addison for the great Christmas present.

"woa-ma-hide"

Translation = one more hide.

We play hide and seek every night before bedtime. Sam will usually hide, while Blake and I go from room to room, saying, "Sammie, are you in the bedroom? (or whichever room/area we are looking in)" Our question is always answered by a high-pitched, squeaky "Nooooa!"

Today, Sam wanted me to hide before nap. After the 1st hide, I couldn't help but record this video. She does exactly what Blake and I do when we are looking for her.

And yes...she looked for me under the sink, under the balloon and in the fridge. Hilarious.

While the boys are away...

It was finally the boys' turn to have a weekend to themselves.
Ray choose to go to this...

They flew to California and met up with Dad while he was traveling with work. Dad gave them an all-access tour of a power plant.

Sometimes, I feel like we miss out on all the fun! But while the boys were away, the girls decided to have a little fun of our own.

Melissa is turning 27 on Tuesday, so we celebrated early with...

spa pedicures.

Sammie and Damma (grandma) passed on the pedicures and made a new friend while playing puzzles. When she left with her mom, she gave Sammie $1 tip! I guess it pays to play!

We ate lunch at Johnny Carinos, where Sammie opened all of Melissa's birthday presents.