Housekeeping 101

Today started off on the right foot- finishing up the art projects from yesterday so I could clean up my workspace.

Here I am knee deep in heart stickers. I'll do anything for art, huh?

Mommy gets such a kick out of watching me get along. She not so secretly wishes I was still a baby, but I'm totally a toddler and it's my way or the NJ Turnpike!



Mommy made breakfast this morning. Left to my own devices I went right to the spice cabinet. I can always count on the lazy susan to provide much entertainment. That is until Mommy looks down at me with the open, half empty jar of rosemary and sends me right to the laundry room for the broom and dustpan. What for? Just see for yourself. It's not easy growing up and learning accountability, is it?

Finger Paintin' Good

This morning was awesome- Mommy and I were at the mall by 7:30am and ran around and played in the toddler section like total fools. It was a blast!

We made it back home by about 9:30am and then it was time for phase two of the morning.

I had some serious card making ahead of me, so much so that I donned my trusty art smock and carefully planned out my plan of attack. I'm such a cute thinker, aren't I?


This is finger (singular, of course) painting in action.

Hoep the FBI won't get this one- finger print perfect if I do say so myself.

Need a better idea of how this goes? Roll the video tape, please!




Yellow is such a bright, cheery color. I use it frequently in all my art projects and toy selections.

Oops. Finger paint on the fingers when you have an itch so isn't cool.

And it tastes really bad to boot!

Time for round two, make it red please!

Close up of art in action.

Finally the smock takes a break as I head over to the easel for some marker fun.

Finished with pink, now just need to put the cap back on.

After a solid morning of art it's time to head out for some outside fun. Daddy said I needed shoes. I disagree.

Mommy did too so she distracted me and got Daddy annoyed with both of us. Too funny if you ask me!

Bummer- he caught me!

Yeppers, I sure eat a lot and like to feel a part of the food preparation process. Making eggs? I'm in charge of the cheese, please!

Look at that- slam dunk!

And the rebound- perfection!

See Ya Later Snowflakes

I've officially had enough of you. Seriously, it's not like I really like the elements anyways. Elements? Mommy's well known for her dislike of the elements. Give her a room with no windows any day of the week. Me? Give me windows but keep snow on the other side of my insulated paned windows.

All of NJ was shutdown today except Daddy's work and my school. Yeppers, we made it out safely while Mommy stayed in her super slouchy sweats. If only we had taken a family photo this morning we would have ended up on the cover of somethin' special, I'm sure of it.

Anywhoosit. All 33 kids made it to school today and I rocked it like a Samantha rockstar. Mommy finally picked me up after a long day of work and found Social Samantha parked in the lobby greeting parents and children coming and going. How long did it take to sashay me to the car? Twenty five whole minutes. Then Daddy called and we found out he was already home waiting for us.

We rushed over to dinner and were soon joined by Bridget and family. Seriously, living in a small town is super amazing. Bridget and I laughed and played all dinner long and then I pooped out and went right to bed. I love life!

Snug As A Bug In My Car Seat Rug

After an amazing time at the zoo last weekend and in celebration of Mother Nature warming Philly up by a solid 15 degrees, we headed to the zoo this morning. All of us- yeppers, family time!

At least two of the three of us were super excited. The lone hold out? Me.

I refuse to be pressured into having fun.


Me need sleep sleep before we visit with our fast friends. Toodles!

Phew- I just love Mufasa naps (cat naps for those who don't know my fine furry four legged sister). Then it was full steam ahead to the primates.

Daddy, seriously, get on with it we have gorillas to hang out with!

Sorry we didn't get any more pictures but we were having too much fun with all the animals. My favorite part of the whole trip? See the polar bears and shouting 'ball', which happened to be the most talked about feature of the entire zoo by all the kiddos!

We got home and I totally messed up my nap and ended up sleeping a measly thirty minutes instead of two hours and thirty minutes. It was insane. So, off to the store we go for some ah-maaaazing munchkins. Thank you Dunkin Donuts!

When we got back home I was unsure about this whole 'going inside' thing. Why ruin a good thing when the car ride was so awesome?

I was so sure about staying in the car that I tried to buckle myself back up.

This is a bit more complicated than I thought.

Hot darn- I think I've got it!

What? The buckle didn't clasp. Bummer!

False alarm- I'm in like Flynn!

Mommy, I am NOT getting out of this car.

Mommy was so 'amused' by my insistance on staying in the car that she broke out the video camera. Seriously!

After such an amazing day we decided to press our luck with even more together time. Not all of us were so excited. No prizes for guessing the skeptic.

Come on, can you blame me? How much family time can a toddler take? I've got toys and such to play with.

Take these super amazing green gloves for instance. They fit me like a... glove?

Dude, I totally look like a little girl in this photo. Baby be gone- poof!

Random story--- Mommy was attempting to change diaper this morning when I flipped over, untwisted my face lotion and started applying the lotion to my cheeks. Mommy leaned over, right in my face and said, "seriously?" and I looked up at her with lotion on my fingers and cheeks and said, "yeah".

Wacky Weekends

I just love Saturday mornings with Mommy. It's not a well kept secret that Daddy and I are not good friends at night and early in the morning. This weekend proved no exception. Mommy made me rockin' scrambled eggs while I tidied up the kitchen.

Just like Mary Poppins that we watched last weekend, I waved my magic fingers and-- behold the beautiful straw art before you!


Pure magic, I tell ya!




Straws are totally under rated. Don't know what I mean? Check this out.











Daddy came down the stairs and threw something out in the trash can, looked up and asked Mommy why she trashed all the straws. Mommy looked him right in the eye and squarely said, "would you like to see the photos or the video?". Enough said.....

Daddy and I meandered up the stairs for some good ole' fashioned building block fun and Mommy headed upstairs to see what was somuch fun. She found us practically rolling on the floor from laughing so hard.

Ah, I just love Daddy and me moments.


Here's to a great Saturday!

Samantha In Charge

For those who doubt who runs this entire household. The proof is in the pudding. I am large and in charge!



Here I am selecting my next meal. Banana Mango, of course!

I'm a little cranky these days and you can totally see it in my expression, something about cutting so many new teeth at once. Bummer!

LAH

I am totally over baths these days. I much prefer showers, the water spurting on my face while I crayon the walls. Life is good. Then, when Mommy rudely turns the water off I jump out of the tub, dry off and scoop up my day's clothes and shoes and head to my bedroom. Yes, I'm totally naked on this nightly parade and love feeling liberated. I then put my shoes next to my changing table and put the dirty clothes in my hamper.

Mommy forgot to comb my hair last night and when I woke up this morning my curls were reminiscent of a comic strip character. Mommy was up in arms and Daddy not so secretly blamed Mommy for not taking charge last night. Talk about awkward!

We headed downstairs and immediately the food fight began. I want banana mango and a bib that matches better with my pajamas please. You disagree? Talk to the hand!
No, seriously.


If I don't get banana mango right now me thinks you're gonna see a toddler temper tantrum in the making.


Three, two, one....

I don't want calcium or protein sources for breakfast! Mean Mommy!

You want protein? Fine. Here 'o' 'o' 'o' monkey. (Yes, I say that a monkey says 'o' instead of 'ooo' 'ooo' 'ooo'.

How sad is it that I'll eat a stuffed monkey in protest to Mommy's yogurt or egg suggestion?

At least the monkey has my back. Unlike certain family members!

Can't resist yet another monkey shot. Abby and Brett- congratulations on your engagement and celebrating my bringing me the coolest monkey/purse ever!

Mr Monkey wants to play with my toys. Hmm, I think I'll share this once.

And here he is joining me in my morning exercises.

Whew, those sure were a lot of shots before getting dressed for school. What is wrong with Mommy?

School is cool and all, but I much prefer shopping any day of the week.

Hey, who can pass up this facial expression and showing off my clean tongue. Yes, I believe in good oral hygiene.

Daddy's turn to take me to school. Purple jacket, I love you!

And I totally have to be zipped up or my belly hangs out and my belly button gets cold.

Tonight I went home and headed right to the dishwasher where I opened up up the door, pulled the dishwasher detergent from under the sink and tried to fill the dishwasher detergent wells with soap.

I'm just like Daddy - I love routine.
I'm just like Mommy- I love to dodge routine.

Quick update- I'm totally digging puzzles and matching games these days. Also, if you get a white envelope in the mail with a card filled with stickers but no writing- that's from me!