Camp Sammy - Est 2009

Sam wished for a camping party this year.  So, we built a Camp-in party in our house and tried to scale down the craziness from the years past.  We had lots of fun as a family building and decorating for the party.  Sam wanted a craft, a game, a special cake and to have it in his house.  We did our best to meet his wish list.
I found this year to be the most challenging to capture on my camera.  A busy house, with busy kids!  Sadly I didn't get all the shots I wanted, but I know Sam loved it and was exhausted tonight for bed!  Here are some of my favs...

We used marshmallows to paint pictures of bonfires.  I made camping style rain ponchos (aka garbage bag) and the kids got to work.

Tiniest artist!

 We also played a game where the kids got to pretend scooters were boats and then they went fishing.  It was cute but hectic, I never even thought of picking up my camera.  After an hour of madness in the basement, we came up for lunch and a camping cartoon.  It was nice and calm.  The crew headed back down to chalk the floor and play some more.

Sam told us he didn't want a normal cake this year.  He picked out ice cream sandwiches... so we built an ice cream sandwich tower.  Holy WAY more simple than decorating cupcakes!

Smith helping with the card!

So lucky to have wonderful friends!

Happy camper!

Sam's absolutely wonderful GREAT Aunties who came and partied with us.  Love you both like crazy!

Just hanging out in Sam's new tent... backyard campout in the summer anyone!?!?!

Gorday sandwich!

A couple of buddies reunited and had a blast together!

My sweet camper!  He kept calling the outhouse the 'warehouse' so he was asking his friends if they were going to go potty in the warehouse!!!  So funny!

Goody bags for our guests.

Thank you to all the people that came to celebrate Sam with us today.  He thought his birthday was so much fun and it's all thanks to having amazing friends and family.  It's hard to believe that this little critter is going to be 5 in the morning...

Wet and Wild Sunny Days Sort of Fun

The way I organize my summer is that I do my very best to fill Sam's social calendar with all his/my long lost friends and on the other days I send him to school to play with his best buddies.  So far we've been incredibly busy and having lots of fun adventures with great friends.

A park pirate!

Splish splashin' at the Airdrie spray park with our buddy Sawyer!  He sure is brave for a baby in COLD water!

Sam waited and waited and waited for this to dump on his head!

Maybe the idea of the big splash was more fun that the actual water...

Baby Sawyer hardly a baby anymore... busy busy bee came for a nap and backyard play.  Needed a quick pic of these three pals all together!

On a different day this summer we invited some of the local ladies over for a pool party.  Lots of water guns, sprinkler trampolining and water sliding fun.  Oh and SNACKS!  Don't forget snacks!

Spencer heading into the cool watered kiddie pool.  I had to fill it twice with all the filling water guns and splashing!  Little bit too cold for our little buddy's liking!

Sammy and a herd of pretty ladies!  Not many pics were taken... the mommies were having so much fun chatting without having to intervene too often that we just enjoyed the sunshine, listening to all the giggles and some relaxed time together.

This summer has been so great and I'm only a couple weeks in... a parade, fireworks, 2 beach days, 1 splash park, a pool party, a birthday party, 2 hours of private gymnastics lessons (thanks Auntie Ang... that was awesome!), 2 awesome movie dates and a bunch of great visits with friends.  Summer 2013 has been just lovely so far!

Splish-Splash Summer!

Not sure what it is about water that makes my little boy's eyes light up, but if there is splashing to do Sam is there!  Needless to say, we go through many outfits trying to stay dry.

Daddy stained and sealed the deck, so now a big rain brings lots of SPLASH-ability!!  Sam saw all the little puddles and couldn't believe his eyes!

Working hard at splashing but wondering how come he's getting so wet!

Karen invited us to her community center, which as a splash park... BIG HIT!

Parker and her Mommy try to spray us

Karen teaches Sam how to spray back at them!

Sweetest little thing my eyes have ever seen.  The basketball helps me love him even more!

Brave boy

Parker trying to lure Sam over (and I have no idea  a better way than a big bright ball!)

"Hey Sam, can you get that for me?"

"Anything for you Babe!"

Just hanging with his girl after tons of fun at the splash park... they were both a little scared of the water, but summer 2011 look out for these two!!!  They'll be into like no one's business!