First Day of MDO 4

Time to get back on track! It was the first day of school for our toddler who played hooky the first week, by running off to New Orleans. She was very prepared and totally excited this morning! She barely even told me goodbye when I dropped her off. But when I picked her up, I had mothers and teachers telling me how sweet she was: Preston's mom brought cupcakes for his birthday and Samantha insisted she save some for Mama (her last two bites to be exact). Her asst. teacher told her no to eat it and they would save me a whole cupcake. Which is why there was a cupcake sitting on the snack table waiting for ME. Yes, she is a sweet heart. I won't deny that one bit!
As far as how her day went... she mentioned there were a few new kids in her class. She said she didn't learn anything, she played tea party with a couple of the other girls, and at bedtime mentioned that Cameron tried to kiss her on the cheek and she didn't want him to. I asked if she pushed him down, but she said "No, that would be mean." >.< We'll toughen her up with those naughty boys!

Nothing unusual with dinner, but we are still having a power struggle getting her to eat dinner. Tonight she helped prepare dinner- She shucked the corn and boiled it and made mac&cheese- and we actually didn't have to fight her! So we've come to realize: 1- she gets to help prepare dinner and she'll eat or 2- don't feed her all day and she'll be hungry ha ha ha... We'll find a happy medium.

Another Visit to NOLA

September 2 - September 6, 2014

We had tourist-y fun once again. Samantha visited the cockpit of the plane and told the pilots "hello", we played with Cousin Abigail, ate Reginelli's Pizza and Snowballs with Donna and played in City Park, visited Fairview State Park with GrandmaRia and Cousin Marcella from Costa Rica, rode the St. Charles Street Car (her favorite!), and had dinner with our amazing friends! Although we missed our returning flight to Texas (Booo!), we had a chance to gobble up some Cafe Du Monde beignets with Uncle Brian- Yummm!

...and The Summer Comes to an End...

We had a great summer and boy was it busy! Weekly Symphony Children's Day concerts, 4 weeks of swim lessons, 5 weeks of gymnastics and hip hop (Sam slept through the last class~ bummer), multiple play dates, pool dates and endless movies (Harry Potter collection and Star Wars). Samantha has improved her artistic skills (see previous post), learned her letter recognition and also started writing her letters; she's great with birthday cards and names! She excited to become a big sister this Thanksgiving and has even learned to write her sister's name. Everyday she talks to and hugs Mama's tummy and learns new ways to care for baby... And she enjoys watching Mama's belly grow bigger and bigger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We attended Open House for her school last night and although her teacher mentioned that they will be learning their ABC recognition (which we let her know that Sam is already writing them), she said that by the end of the school year they will be doing some math and some kids will even learn to read! We are so excited to see how this school year goes and watch Samantha grow even more amazingly intelligent!.... But not before we visit Grandma Ria, Uncle Brian, Abigail and friends next week!

Artsie Fartsie & Harry Potter

Samantha has gotten AH-MAZING with her drawing skills, especially compared to how she was during the school year: she wouldn't pick up a crayon to color. Here are a few things she's been doodling around...

Hiccup & Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon

 Dragon (she even signed her name)

 Pegasus

 Daddy

 Doggy (again, she signed her name)

 Bird painted on towel

Daddy wanted to start reading the Harry Potter collection to Sam although I don't think she would sit still to concentrate, so they started watching the movies instead. She loves her some HP!

Staying Busy with Friends!

 4th Of July Celebration:

Hanging with Christian while Grans' are out of town and Mama's at work. Ms. Wendi took them to the library to see the Hey Lollies! Sam really likes them :)

Winding Down & Catching Up

Samantha started Dolphins2, which is over in just a couple more days! She loves jumping in the water, doing her bobs, and swimming short distance. Although she is doing an awesome job in practice, I wish they would focus more on them swimming instead of the bobs and games they play! Everyday after class we head over to the kiddie pool and Sam gets to practice her moves with a couple of her swim-mate friends. They are so funny jumping in and swimming. Although it's been fun, it's getting hot and I'll be happy to take a break from the daily sun.
But next week we will start gymnastics and back to hip hop! I'm excited for our new schedule to begin!... and I'm sure Sam is too.

Hip Hop

 

Today was Children's Day. Samantha was face painted by one of the best artists out there! Kiwi. We had her put her skillz to the test! Samantha requested a  "horsey butterfly" and she did an amazing job!












 
Afterwards, we finally got to meet up with Daddy for lunch! Yay! It was special, but Samantha was bummed that she didn't get to see his office or meet his friends.

Pool Safety

Today the kids learned pool safety and rules. They used life vests to jump in the pool, which Samantha was already a pro at, Thanks to Grandma & PaPa ;), they learned about how to save someone who needed help, what to do if the fell out a boat, etc. Only a few more days left of Dolphins 1 before we move Samantha up to Dolphins 2.
I've never seen her as free as she in when she's splashing in the pool! She sure does love to go under water.

Splashing last week

 

Saturday, Samantha was being such a good girl while Daddy and I looked at a house, we promised her a train ride.... ALL ABOARD!

Over Booked & Under the Weather

So much has been going on! Samantha has gone to her first Hip Hop dance class,  just as Mama started getting a head cold, which the doctor has confirmed is a sinus infection. She loved the class, which she is taking with Laney, but sadly we need a pause in dance to do swim lessons.
Samantha is very laid back and will take things as they come to her. Mama can't swim and Daddy is a fish, so I was praying she'd be a fish as well; well, that's almost impossible if she's in the water with me. Some days she freaks out in the bath if water gets in her eyes, other days she's trying to show off. Last summer she would jump into my arms from the edge of the pool, this summer she was hesitant to lie on her back with Dad. But after a couple of days of swim lessons, she will jump off the edge into her instructor's arms, kick, blow bubbles, go under water, float on her back with assistance and just be a little guppy. The first day of class her instructor, Miss Abby, came up to us and let us know that all the other kids were hesitant about doing things, but Samantha was the only one who just went on and did it all. We are so very proud of her! Only 1 more week then we will move her up to the next level.

Wednesday, June 18
Kid's Day with Joe McDermott

Thursday, June 19
Library Card & Hip Hop 
We started the day at the library getting a brand new library card, which Samantha signed herself and picked up a few books. Before we left to go, she had to pick her bouquet of flowers for when she "gets older and marries Daddy".

 Hip Hop

Tuesday, June 24
Ms. Wendi & Christian picked up Samantha so Mama could rest and go to the doctor. They played-played-played in the sandbox and even went to Barnes & Nobles before the rain to play with lots of Legos!

Monday-Thursday, June 23- 26
Dolphins 1 Swim Class