Catch Up

Wowsers, when Daddy is out of town I have lots of trouble entertaining Mommy. By the end of the day I'm too pooped to think about blogging. Then I think, what would I blog about?

In truth, we sorta bum it when Daddy's traipsing across these here united states. We sometimes have a picnic in front of the tv that seems to only play Barney these days.

Somehow, during his absence I lost baby and turned into a full fledged toddler. I'm even getting good at bargaining. If I do -fill in the blank-, then I can watch Barney, right?

Daddy's flight is delayed tonight. We miss you. Even though it was a day trip, we didn't see you at all. Thank goodness for the upcoming three day weekend!

Breakfast With Buddies

I'm not sure how you spend your mornings, but in this here ol' house we firmly believe 'the more the merrier'. Since most of my friends have parents who get annoyed if I call their house at 6am to invite them over for a tea party, it seems that I'm stuck with my fearless companions. Meet doggy- a Christmas present from my great grandma Pat and the coolest buddy a toddler could ask for- and duck, who really quacks so long as no non-believing adults are in the room.


I'm stubborn enough to have won this mini battle with Mommy. I can now have lots and lots of animal friends eat meals with me. Many go through the wash and the others (plastic ones) get a good scrubbing in the kitchen sink after every meal.

See what good friends I have? They are so attentive and nice to me! What a way to start my day. Off to school!

After school I convinced Mommy to let me ditch the restrictive clothing we call a shirt and almost succeeded with losing the shorts, but Mommy must've had a bad day and drew the line on my bottom half.

Here I am taking care of dolly. She needs lots of attention.
Who knew babies were such work? Yikes!

Mommy Skills 101

Mommy's bear needed some lovin'. Thankfully, I'm in town. I decorated Mommy's MWC bear with lots and lots of stickers.

And didn't stop there. The table is so much prettier now!
Then I tried out my Mommy skills with dolly. Every dolly needs a nuk.
And a solid pat on the belly to get out all the burps!

Maggie's Playground

Boy, did I luck out today. School was closed so Mommy took the day off work to play with me. My old friend, Isla's last week in NJ was here and we all met up at the playground.

I headed right to the horsey. Off to the races!

Then Isla came over to inspect my snack.
And Mommy said something about sharing.
And I asked her if she was serious.
And let Isla know that I'm all about sharing.

Pancakes and Water Slides on Father's Day

Today was kinda a big deal in our house. I simply adore Daddy and today is his official holiday so we can spend lots of time with him. We kicked off the day by walking while Daddy slept in. Then promptly at 8am, we headed back in the house and kidnapped Daddy for a pancake breakfast. Yummy! We came home for an early nap and then headed out to the neighborhood pool... Where I discovered the twisty water slide.

And loved it!

I must have gone down the slide a bazillion times before the lifeguards called adult swim. This was a new concept to west coast, pool in my backyard growing up Daddy. So we hit the kiddie pool. It's super deep. See how it comes up to my hips-ish?

See the number in the background? Nine inches- told ya it was deep waters!
Adult swim over! I'm ready to jump back in the big kid pool!
Here I am taking time out for Daddy kisses.
Lots and lots of kisses- It's Daddy's Day, remember?
As we headed out of the pool we realized one of my plugs fell out. Can you imagine looking for a flesh colored ear plug in this huge pool? It wasn't easy, but with lots of help from new friends, we headed home happy.

And then it was time for Mommy cuddles and Barney.
Then I ditched her for serious Barney bonding.
My favorite Barney watching position.
Daddy, hope you enjoyed your special day as much as I did. Love you!

Drums And Swim Diapers

I am totally digging Daddy's Summer Friday's at home. True, I'm at school. But, the lawn gets mowed before the weekend and that means more time for me. Sweet!

Not sure what Mommy was up to, but this morning was all about Daddy and me. And lots and lots of blankets.

With attitude, of course!

I found Mommy's shoes about the same time Daddy found the camera to take a video. He's totally smitten with me. Of course, right?

After a great nap, we headed over to a play date at Connor's house, with Miss Emily, too! I had totally forgotten he had a drum set. Today was the day I discovered how much I love to bang on me drums all day sans any sort of modesty!
Stop judging me, it's hot outside!
And my nose 'itches'.
After we all drummed it up we headed to the pool. I started in the kiddie pool and quickly begged to move up to the throw 'em and dunk 'em big kid pool. I liked being tossed around, jumping in the pool and having a blast with Daddy. Mommy still doesn't like 'cold' water so she hung out on the sidelines. Boooring!

After we kids were totally toasted we all headed back to Connor's house for an amazing BBQ and fruit salad. I totally touched grapes. I gave them all to Mommy, but still. It's progress, right?

Emily, Connor and I had a blast playing with toys and hanging out together. We are awesome buds!

I was so tired I started falling off things like the couch and bouncing into things like walls. We all called it about this moment below.

Bankies, Please!

My latest obsession is taking every blankie in the house and piling them up, carrying them around and snuggling with them. It's gotten so bad that all the clean blankets have been removed from my room until the dirty ones get swapped out. Mommy got tired of washing every blankie the day after they were put away in my closet.

Here I am all snuggled up to read every book in my library collection.

This rocks!
I really am the happiest kid on the block.
And a pretty darned good swimmer if I do say so myself. The secret is practicing my kick even when I'm not in the pool.

Hair Clips Everywhere- Literally

After taking a shower this morning and getting ready for school, I negotiated one book reading. Mid-read I swear a curl popped out of my pony tail. Oops! I jumped up and ran to the drawer where Mommy hides my clips and she doesn't know I know about. I grabbed four clips and wouldn't let Mommy out the door until all four were in my hair.

I rocked it today, though not sure that's much of a statement. I'm wearing my dress off the shoulder 80s style. If only I had leg warmers to complete the look.



Here's a close up of the clips- all positioned by yours truly.

The best part of it all? When Mommy picked me up I was wearing a different outfit and nothing in my hair. Mommy got a talking to about putting me in clothes and hair accessories that I don't like. Yes, I totally disrobed in the classroom and the teacher said that was a 'no, no'.

It's Potty 101 These Days

Wanna know how we spend our free time these days? It's me sitting on a potty- big or small, I'm not picky- and reading lots and lots of books. Peeing? Not here, but I sure give this whole thing my all. The toddler potty is rooting for me so badly that it starts singing for me throughout my stay. I jump up and say, "I peed in the potty". Mommy and Daddy rush over to peer inside the grossness of the potty and look at me with a great big smile and say, "not yet, but good try!"

I've gotten really good at helping to read 'Down By The Bay', 'If You Give A Mouse A Cookie', and 'Somethin', Somethin' Pookie'.

What a life!

Lots Of Friends

The scene when getting picked up from school today...

SMB- "Hi, Mommy!"
Mommy-"Hi, Samantha!  Ready to go home?"
SMB- "Yes"
Mommy- "Did you have fun at school today?"
SMB- "Yes"
Mommy- "Did you play with toys?"

SMB- "Yes"

Mommy- "Did you make art?"

SMB- "Yes"

Mommy- "Did you play with friends?"

SMB- "Yes"

Mommy- "Who are your friends?"

SMB- "Me"

Then we headed to the book store, where we returned some books and I wandered around.  I totally discovered a great series.  Curious George has pages and pages full of monkeys!  This is awesome!

Then we picked Daddy up from work 1950's style and came home. They thought I'd play on the swing set but chose playing in rocks instead.  Of course!  I love the rocks on our landscaping.  Nothing is better than picking up fistfuls of those cute rocks and making piles or just showering them down on all the plants.  Mommy just loves it!

Sparkly Things And Swings

Daddy and Mommy had a to-do about my wardrobe this morning.  Mommy said this was a dress and Daddy insisted that it was a long shirt and I needed shorts on underneath.  After much huffing, Mommy let Daddy have his way.  I countered the whole thing with much jewelry.  

Bracelets only go on one arm in this house.  Doesn't matter which one, but it better not be both!

Necklaces?  The more the better!

So pretty!

Mommy sent Daddy off to his weekly Home Depot trip while Dean and company headed off to the PARK.  I love the PARK!  See how great I am at swinging.

I can get pretty high for someone who's not quite two yet.

This was about the moment that we knew our precious time with Dean was coming to an end.  I gave him my signature Samantha smile and weaseled a walk out of him, but then he was on his way back to Virginia.  Bummer!  Come back soon!

After I woke up from my nap, it was lots of family time.  Until Miss Melissa showed up and Mommy and Daddy headed out to a late birthday dinner for Daddy. I was on my bestest behavior with Miss Melissa.  No crying on the floor and went right to bed when it was time.  Everyone cheered at this progress.  Last time, I cried for an hour when she tried to pick me up.  But, in fairness, that was six months ago and an overnight babysitting adventure.

Looks like I'm all grown up and ready to be two!

Pancakes and Hippos

We woke up ready to tackle the world.  Or, just pancakes.  Whatever.  I'll take the pancakes!  Dean and I started off with some alphabet fun.  I'm super good at my letters.

See, G goes right before H.

We all headed out to our cars for some pancakes.  Mommy wanted a quick photo session.  Strike out on the Samantha smile.

So, she told me to look up.  I did- all the way.

 Finally the direct smile she was looking for, after she was gone, of course!

This is right about the time we found out our friends got sick and had to head back home to Virginia.  I was a sad camper. Hope they feel better quickly and plan another trip up here really soon!

Have I ever told you how stingy I am with kisses?  I love my parents and all, but kisses are so overrated.  I make them beg for lovin'.  Here Daddy is chompin' at the bit for a kiss.

Oh, alright.  Just this once.

But I'll make it a good one, European style!

And a bonus one for the camera!

Then we had a rockin' pancake breakfast.  I eat mine in layers, how 'bout you? 

Then, while Daddy waited in a monster line to pay the bill, Dean and company (Mommy and me) headed out to pick me up a spider balloon.  Oh, and fix my diaper wedgie.  Thought they weren't possible?  Think again!

This spider is just learnin' to walk.  He needs lots of help, don'tcha think?

Whew- I am a miracle worker!

Dean is awesome. Everything I do, he makes it seem like I'm the Wizard of Mayberry.  He makes me feel super special!  Can you believe he has been one of Mommy's closest friends since elementary school.  That's a long time to know my Mommy!

Yeppers, I'm multi-talented. I can walk a spider and show you my slightly shrinking belly.

Don't fly away, spider!

Back to our quiet home (we miss you Vanessa and Elizabeth!), I taught Dean how to read. It's one of my favorites- Hippos go Beserk.  I'm super good at going beserk.

And take time out to smile at Mommy.

Then we ditched Daddy and headed to the mall to play on their toys.  Here I am again with the smiles.  I just can't stop being happy. Yay!

Did you catch how pretty I am in a dress.  I'm so dainty even when I'm jumping down off a truck.