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...

Some Highlights!

We've been having a blast in the last couple days as we get closer to Christmas.  Here are some of our highlights...


10 Days to go - Ginger Train Time!

7 Days to go - Westjet Kids Christmas Party

Sam sat so still while getting his face painted.  He asked the lady to make him a 'kitty'.  This was our very first stop (it's good to come to Westjet events with a game plan as last year we spent over an hour in a line up).

BOUNCY HOUSE!

Like a caged animal!

Quick break for lunch time.  Sam munched on a carrot and a bun... guess he was saving room for cotton candy and cookies that we ate later in the afternoon!

Sam gets his craft on!  Made a cute wreath ornament.

What an amazing Santa... really classy and magical.  The type that can make an adult believe again!

The party was held at Spruce Meadows.  We went on a tour of the stables to see all the horses and ponies.  The jumping horses were HUGE.  Sam LOVE LOVE LOVED them.  

Sam and I went into the petting zoo while Daddy took pictures.  Sammy couldn't even believe how great the animals were.  We petted goats and sheep first.  The sheep were very wooly and we liked poking our fingers into their fur.  Sam thought it was soooo funny. 

Funny pigs!

Big highlight was seeing Santa's reindeer as they rested before their big journey.

Day 6 - 2nd Annual PJ Christmas Party

The boys watching out the window for more friends to come... shy of each other at first but it didn't take long to be buddies again!

Payton and Sammy

All the kiddos in front of the tree after supper, a movie, hide and seek and tons of playing.   Shortly after this they broke into a CRAZY dance party.  There are no words to describe it!

The girls

Here's a photo for their wedding... that's right Uncle Bill!!!   Look at those sweet little interlocked fingers (and we didn't even ask them to do that!)

That car was a hour of entertainment... not a well known fact is that Santa actually travels by lowrider with air suspension while pumping music and rocking out with his reindeer buddies.
(Hilarious moment in the background of Sam and P smooching!)

Proof the Sun Did Shine!

Early last week, the boys and I got out on a BEAUTIFUL sunny morning.  We played at the park, took a wagon ride and tried our hands at side walk chalk.  They loved it!  Though a little messy, still plenty of fun being out on the path making our scribbles.

Editing my drawing!

SAM + SMITH = BFF

Break from drawing for a little jog.

Holding hands getting ready to head back to the house.

This weekend's gymnastics shots!  It was Dad's turn to take Sam.

Sam in front support on the parallel bars... my little Hercules! 

BIG jump into the pit.  Dad stands by jealous, wondering how he can get himself into the pit too!

And roll!

March Madness

Here we are, half way through March, and I've finally had the time to sit down for some quality time with my blog.  It's been a busy month of report cards, road trips, birthday parties (both ones we've missed out on and been too), cold weather and now beautiful weather.  I probably have 101 more excuses as to why I didn't blog, but the most important thing is that I'm back in action!
I've tried to start planning theme days with the boys while I'm cooped up.  The freezing weather was getting me down and I felt like I was in a slump.  I spent a few hours planning out activities, fun foods, crafts, etc for each day with the boys.  It was a life saver.  Having a plan gave me purpose and something to really look forward to trying each day.  Love doing it!
Here is a little glimpse into our busy days so far this month... enjoy!

Nothing like a snowy blowy day to motivate us to build a fantastic fort in the living room.  The foam floor mats are perfect for making tunnels, but definitely not indestructible enough for a couple little boys!  

Another adventure we tried was baking cookies together.  I put all the supplies into kid sized bowls and each one took a turn pouring in an ingredient.  Stirring was the hugest hit!

Seriously could be the very best cookies I've ever made... EVER!  I just needed a little toddler magic to make them that much better.  Best little helpers!

Sam working on his egg carton caterpillar.  Though the paint looks like pudding,  from the look on Sam's face after eating it, I can say if does not taste like pudding!  This has been a multi-day craft, but tons of fun.

Clearly nothing is more enjoyable than balloon bouncing.  We've had balloons out for almost the past month.  Yes, someone has bitten or broken one each day but with proper supervision and 'rules' (hahaha, I try really hard to give them rules) they play for many minutes.  Bouncing off heads, playing with static, working on catching, kicking, looking through and bum bouncing... never ending fun!

My little 80s punk!  My Aunt's surprise 49th birthday was 80s theme... and we rocked it!

The baby whisperer... crimped hair and all! (You can't see it well but Sam is wearing jean cut offs and Serry is wearing a shirt that says "No one puts baby in the corner".  Love it!

Kiss for my cousin!

New hair, but equally as rad!

I HAD to post this picture of my sister... look at her and then the baby... EXACT same face.   You are in for a wild ride, Breezer!!! :)

Gramma and 'Kitty' snuggles!

Love this guy... pulled off creepy 80s like he lived it!

Finally some warm weather!!! We have spent almost every waking moment possible playing outside in the past two days.  This little boy loves splashing and crashing!  Freezing fingers, wet pants, snow burned face... nothing stops him from wanting to be outside.  Can't even wait for Spring!
This is our snowman we made today... Sam was inspecting his mustache.  Mr PotatoHead pieces come in very handy for snowman building!