Let's Go Fly a Kite

Grandma and Grandpa think of all the fun things to do with Sammie. Last night they came over with a kite. A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Kite. Do they know her or what?!

Samantha's Bedtime Routine

If ever we call on you to babysit, here is Sam's schedule.
It is long. But fun. Sometimes.

Basketball
Before, during and after dinner, Daddy and Sammie play basketball in the driveway. She got a pink basketball and volleyball for Christmas. She likes to carry them (both at the same time) around the house, waiting for Dad to get home. And, she sleeps with them at naps.


Car ride
We pimped out her car with a DVD player. Luckily Aunt Melissa is letting us borrow this for the plane ride. Imagine Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for 3 hours straight...she'll be an angel the entire flight!Bath
The washcloth on her tummy is keeping her warm because she gets cold...wonder who she got that from!Storytime
We let Sam pick out 2 books. Tonight was a bear theme: Bear Wants More and We're Going on a Bear Hunt. This was the first time Blake heard her "read" the book.

Prayers
She won't say them, but she will give a shout out to her current favorites of the day. Mommy, Daddy, Gamma & Pappa, Deesh & Ray, Ma-Lissa, Nate & Ditney, Lauren-Avery, Davey, Lyd-i-a...and then she'll add any friend she happened to see that day. Prayers are going to become really long after we reunite with all 26 cousins next week. Is that right? Is there really 27?!

Hide
At bedtime, she almost always hides in the same spot. We would tell you, but that would be cheating. We wouldn't want to spoil all the fun. This is another spot she will either hide in, or watch TV from here. Can you see her? Look closer...There she is!Potty
We are not potty-trained or potty-training for that matter. She wears pull-ups and goes pee-pee before and after nap and bedtimes. It's a start. When we get back from Nate's wedding, she's got a whole pack of Disney Princess undies waiting for her.

Bubbles
I have an entire stash of potty prizes. So far, she only cares for the bubbles. She has to be in bed, laying down...that way she can catch them with her feet.

Songs
Once the bubbles are over, she starts screaming to go "poops." This is a lie...she doesn't need to go again, so don't fall for it. The key is start singing a song she will sing along with. Current winners are: I Know You from Sleeping Beauty, Twinkle Twinkle, I Am a Child of God, and Wheels on the Bus. After she blows us kisses, Dad leaves and I get to sing a few more songs. Then we leave her to talk and sing to her baby. Door open.

That's ALL it Takes!

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

One of our yearly outings is the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Sam has been every year, including the year she was in mommy's tummy. The older she gets, the more fun it is for everyone! One of these years, we will all dress up like Pappa.We started off walking through the carnival. She insisted on stopping so she could "ride this one!" Have you ever seen a happier girl?

We stopped at the pig races... and petting zoo.The Children's Country was great this year.
We walked through Fun on the Farm. Sam needed no guidance. She knew just what to do and loved carrying the basket of goodies. She got to plant seeds... and harvest the crops.

Milk cows, and pick fruit off of trees. In the end she sold her basket of food for money, and got to buy a treat. It was a great activity for kids.We ate lots of great food: funnel cakes, deep fried oreos, BBQ and ice cream.We got to see Taylor Swift that night. She is adorable and put on a great show!

Square Foot Garden

I've been wanting to start a garden for years. With the help of Blake and my Dad, it is finally built and growing...so I hope.I've got: tomatoes, zucchini, onions, pumpkins, watermelon, peppers, carrots, lettuce, strawberries, cilantro, parsley, dill, sage, chives, basil and oregano.

No...

The Question?

Have we cut Samantha's hair?
I repeat...the answer is no.

Her hair. Just. Fell. Out.
Just a few hairs at a time...but before we knew it, it was mostly gone. I've called the doctor on three separate occasions, and have been told to not worry. So, I won't. At least, try not to. As we look back it is quite sad to see it go. But rest assured, it is growing.

March 2008

June 2008

August 2008

December 2008

February 2009

Lydia is looking at her thinking, "Seriously Sammie, you are really having a bad hair day."

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.