The Fun Continues.... WEEK TWO

Another action packed week in the life of summer time Sam!  It's hard to believe him and I have spent 16 days straight together and for the most part have had the very best time.  I was secretly worried and dreading a WHOLE summer with Sam to myself; thinking I wouldn't be able to keep him happy and me happy for two entire months... that we'd get sick of each other and need a break.  And then I realize the last full summer we had together he was just a baby and I had just completed the most challenging year in my teaching career.  Five is wonderful... he's funny and smart and independent and lovely.  I'm so blessed and so proud to have this time with this little man.

We spent a morning at Calaway Park with Karen and Sawyer.  The sun was shining, the lines were very short, life was good!

Oh jeeze... I picture 15 years down the road... these two monkeys behind the wheel of a real car... YIKES!

Now that's an awesome mom... I'm making sure to pause this summer and appreciate the amazing moms I have in my life.  I let life take over during the school year and forget to work hard on these important relationships.  I love Karen... she has boundaries, yet knows how to let Sawyer be independent.  She know all about having FUN!  She talks to him like he's grown, but in the next moment she sits with him in a puddle while waiting for us on a ride.  Karen has been one of the most influential friends in my teaching career.  She has helped me realize who I want to be as a teacher and that what I believe is important is worth fighting for.  She is always honest, but with only the best intentions.  She has gifted me this same relationship in the mom world too and I'm grateful every day to have her in my life.

Who loves the ferris wheel?  We do!!!  High five!

Terror and joy all wrapped up in one sweet little face!

We got to spend a morning at Mac's lake this week too.  Mac and Sam played in the sand and water, roamed the playground and then had their butts kicked by a couple Brazilian kids in a game of soccer.  It was a great morning!  For me, selfishly, it was a long overdue visit with Robyn.  She is a person that I can relate to so well.  We go months and months without seeing each other and then when we do it's like no time passed at all.  Robyn is a tell how she sees it kind of girl, with a heart of gold.  I cherish our friendship, her parenting style, our similar love for teaching, her selflessness... I'm so happy to have this woman as a friend.  

Beach boy!

A hot morning we filled the pool and then by afternoon the water was warm.  Sam loves loves loves to splash!

VEGAS BABY!   We had an awesome mini-trip to Vegas this weekend to be with our friends as they got married.  The night before the wedding we went to Tournament of Kings (if you have young boys this is an AWESOME pitstop in Vegas) and then hit up the arcade.

Sam's viking helmet from the show... Uncle Bill wore it most of the time!!!  

Take a bus... NO, take a cab... NO, rent a limo bus to drive us 3 blocks... HECK YES!!  Though Sam looks as tired as I felt, it was a pretty cool ride back to the hotel.

My handsome boys waiting for the beautiful bride to arrive.

Post-wedding (sorry, no sneak peeks, the couple hasn't seen the pics yet!).  Two beautiful faces that I just adore.

Bam!  Classic wedding jumping picture!

Nothing like a post wedding dip in the pool on a 40 degree day!  Only wedding I've ever been to that has pool time between ceremony and reception!

Dining at the Paris - Mon Amis Gabi.  DELICIOUS!

Lucky boy snagging a quick snuggle with the bride!  Chelsey is another mom in my life...  She works hard to balance love and discipline, to give Linc the world without spoiling him.  She is patient, consistent, determined and her love is unconditional.  She is a friend that shows genuine interest in our lives, adores Sam and completely understands that somedays are a little more emotional than others.  I value our friendship and I'm so happy to have her in this 'sisterhood' with me.

How many kids do you think can say the got to climb up the leg of the Eiffel Tower this summer!?!?  I know at least two who loved it!

Nothing says wedding night like a quick on the street shot with Bumblebee!  Only in Vegas...

Teaching Sam the art of photo bomb... I'm sure that's going to come back and bite me in the butt!

We spent our last morning in Vegas at the Shark Reef.  I said "Quick, Komodo dragon face!"  Nailed it!

Just petting some stingrays.  You'll have to ask Sam sometime about the one that climbed the wall and jumped up at me.  Hilarious and terrifying all at the same time.

Look at this rag-tag group of resting tourists!!!  Love these guys!

Couldn't leave our Vegas hotel without a couple sweet flamingo shots.

A flamingo momma and flamingo Sammer!

Now that was a memorable week!!!  It's going to be pretty tricky to top that one.  Two weeks in and six to go... wonder what fun this week will bring us...

Birthday Fun!

Everyone makes jokes about turning 30... I have to say, it's been a breeze.  I spent my actual birthday with my two favorite people cruising in Vannie heading toward home after a wonderful week of camping and visiting.  We reach home and a beautiful friend has left a birthday surprise full of little goodies to get me through this new phase.  Then there was cake.... and it was perfect.  I got two super great cards from Sam and Shaun.  Both hilarious and endearing, nothing better!
The next day, after panicking and stressing over my camera not functioning up to par with a wedding that I was shooting quickly approaching, I received my birthday gift from Shaun... a new camera.  Yes, I know I know, no one needs 3 but I definitely LOVE having 3.  With that worry wiped from my mind and a beautiful new camera to try out, the weekend was off to a great start.
On the Sunday, we joined our very good friends for a birthday supper for me and Brady.  I love watching out three little munchkins all play together and I loved it even more when Uncle Bill joined in and took the title of being the biggest kid of all.  I just know these are people that will be forever and ever friends and that makes my heart happy (not that there was any doubt as Shaun has been friends with the guys since kindergarten!)  We had a great meal, an actual visit and another cake!

Is there anything more fun than a sprinkler under a trampoline... I don't think so!

Two little goof balls!

The kids are almost getting to be the same age as when these three men met... how crazy!

My final birthday celebrating happened on the following Tuesday.  We planned a big play date at a splash park in Calgary with all the cmac babies.  Our friend Patricia was in town and it made for a great reason to round up the troops and spend a little time together.

Andreas, Sam and Mac deciding if the water was warm enough or not.

The Z-Hansen's... love them and miss them!

Sam was splashing us so Sarge was giving him a little of his own medicine!  Hehehehe!

The beautiful Brazilians.

The whole crew getting ready to race up the hill.

Speedy shot of the kids before the ran (or rolled) all different directions.

We also had a supper date planned... little did I know that the supper date was a surprise party for me!  How lucky am I!?!?!  Lots of my fav CMac mommas, as well as some other ladies that I adore were there.  They even organized for some of my very fav former students (who are adults now, weird) to come for a visit.  It was perfect... balloons, cake, gifts, cards, laughs, food and drinks.  I'm a very lucky lady to have all these caring friends in my life.  I love them dearly and haven't quite wrapped my head around the fact that they won't be at my school in the fall.  They are the type of women that I'm glad to be associated with and hope that our friendships stay strong regardless of where we all teach.

So 30 isn't that bad, and truly 30 has been pretty frickin' great.  I mean, my early 20s were a lot of fun, probably too fun.  My late 20s brought Sam into my life and completed my family.  20s were wonderful, but the kick off to 30 makes me think that maybe my best years are still to come.  Thank you to my boys and my friends for the lovely few days.  You are the best!

Halloween Fun 2011

Holidays just keep getting more and more fun, the more Sam understands.  I love how he brings the magic back into holiday traditions that had lost their flair.  We took him to Boo at the Zoo for his third annual trip.

Scooby Doo at Boo at the Zoo!

A must stop, the lion den

There were a bunch of stations in the main grassy area.  One was dancing... here is Scooby jump jump jumping!

Though hard to see, Sam got to colour a marshmallow.  Big hit, big big hit!

My boys... I love them.  Sam has this super exaggerated smile... silly!

Auntie Angie stopped by and we made candy apples together.  A MUST as a new Halloween tradition.  Honestly, I might work them into every single holiday!

Time to enjoy!

When I saw this photo, I knew I had to post it.  It seems Sam got his exaggerated smile from me.  Just good genes, I guess.  Exact example of why I'm usually on the other side of the camera.

Parker stopped for a treat.  They decided to pose behind the bush.  Funny kids!

First ever trick or treat adventure.  With the guidance of Lincoln, Sam got the hang of it.  These two were super cute.

Taste testing his goodies.  What a fun fun night!

One of my favourite moments was when Sam turned around on the neighbours deck to tell me "Mom, I said you're welcome!"  Trying very hard to be polite, but we just don't quite have the hang of it yet!  We told him to know loud on the door, so he went up and with the softest knock yelled "BANG BANG BANG, knock loud!"  Love this guy!

The Joy of Love - day 11 AKA SAM's Bday Bash

11 dreams

Dreams... I think Shaun and I were successful in creating (with help from my friend Stacey) the birthday party of Sam's dreams.  It was a Sesame Street theme (Sam's a big fan) and I think it was a hit.  Sam spent most the party wondering around in a daze.  Maybe it was because there were 14 other toddlers in his house or maybe it was because he couldn't believe how awesome it was!  I think it was probably a combination of the two, but all in all it was a CRAZY fun time.
Once again, I have to give kudos to Stacey.  She did many of the small finishing touches that made it extra special.  The ideas Stacey DREAMs up are amazing... seriously I think you should start making money off your talents, Stac!
We had friends travel from a long way to spend the day with us and never in my DREAMs did I think all the people I invited would be able to make it.  My sister and her little baby even came to take in some of the fun.  I think Brielle will DREAM beautiful DREAMs of her peaceful baby girl after seeing so many wild little boys!
Shaun gave me a hard time putting up so many of the birthday party photos... I narrowed it from 150 to my favorite 52 and then down to these ones.  Less is not more in this case, MORE is MORE.  Not sure, but there might be more added... :)

The party favors.

Birthday cake... definitely did not turn out exactly like we had hoped, but Shaun and I had fun making them.  Tip: If you want BOLD colours, go with gel dye vs dye drops.

One of the 5 stations: BIG BIRD'S BOOKS (complete with elmo beanbag chair and Sesame Street books).  We also had a ME LOVES COOKIES! station that was a very simple pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey style game; ERNIE'S RUBBER DUCKY TUB (pictures of this station are in this blog); ELMO LOVES HIS CRAYON AND PLAYDOH TOO (colouring sheets that I printed off the Sesame Street website which is amazing if your kids are into SS); and finally OSCAR'S TRASH TOSS (also with pictures below).

Party brought to you by the letter S and the number 2!

More kid treat bags, so cute.

Kids get to work colouring!

P trying to use her beauty to get that balloon away from Sam... 

Nate and Matty chillin' wondering where their brother is...

Oh hey Luc!  There you are!

Mac loving a game of balloon toss.

Parker goes for the jello jiggler.

Sam a little skeptical of his jello S... didn't take long before he was loving them!

So much like brother... Sam gets distracted and Smith snags the good stuff off his plate.  Swiper!  No swiping!  Oh wait, this is a Sesame Street birthday, not Dora!

Blowing out his candle.  CAKE TIME!

Jack went for it! 

Smith takes an aggressive stance on cake consumption!

Parker being dainty.

Lincoln not too sure about this cake...

Logan LOVES cake.  

Gavin dives it!

Bennett thinks the icing is the best part.

Sam takes his time.

Too cool!

Best idea!  Created a Oscar trash can out of a large tupperware bin and tinfoil.  All the gift wrap was thrown in the 'trash' after each gift.  Fun and helpful!

Party goes under the table.  Payton, Parker, Smith, Jack and Sam played under this table for at least 15 minutes.  FYI - my super handy husband built this table and it was perfect.  Perfect height and size for the kiddos to colour, play playdoh, eat and play under.  Perfect.

This is Ernie's Tub.  I envisioned kids taking turns with the little net fishing out rubber ducks and playing with bubbles.  My vision was WAY off.  It got CRAZY!

Back in the kitchen, sweet Baby S continues to sleep.  All day.  Seriously, alllllll day.  The loudest and craziest party in my tiny house and she slept through it.  Such a good little girl.

Ok, the tub was a hit.  It got way too intense for the little girls.  Water everywhere!  Soaking wet kids.  Smith even dunked his whole head in.  These guys take their ducky fishing seriously!

Parker returns with the net to try to show them how to do it right... thanks for trying P.

Couple photos out of place... its very hard to add things if you've forgotten them on this blog.  A couple more shots of Sam's buddies!

Logan stops for a water break!

I could take pictures of Avery all day.  Pretty little face.

Jack found the perfect seat.

Sam and Payton playing playdoh.  BFFs.

An attempt at a group shot... not only were the Alexander triplets missing, but Lincoln and Logan escaped and Jack HATES the idea of a group shot.  Meh, there's always next year!

Good bye friends... thank you soooo much for all the fun.  We sure do love you guys.

And as I crawl into bed tonight, I'll think about how two years ago I couldn't have DREAMed what Sam's second birthday would be like.  It's even more wonderful than I could have imagined.