Samantha's first blog

pamelamyers | September 23, 2014

Somehow, our little girl turned 5 years old. It seems almost impossible. She is so grown up now, she speaks so clearly, and maturely, and yet, I can still see that little baby I held in my arms so many years ago. I am so proud of the girl she has become. She is such a kind, sweet, funny, smart, inquisitive child. We couldn’t have hoped for a more wonderful kid. Yes, she still makes me crazy with her super picky eating habits, her waking up at the crack of dawn, talking to me like she’s 13, and various other things, but in the grand scheme of things, they don’t mean anything. She is here – and she is amazing. About 6 years ago, you wouldn’t have made me believe it would ever be a reality. Happy Birthday, Samantha. May this year bring you more joy than you can hold in your heart.

Here are some pictures from her party. Because I had my party outside, Sam wanted hers outside too. We did a pretty decent job decorating, if I do say so myself. Mark strung lights out her bedroom window across the lawn, and we added as many balloons and decorations as were possible. This year’s theme – Sam selected, of course – was Strawberry Shortcake, with a Barbie cake.

Do you think she likes Strawberry Shortcake because she has red hair? Yeah, I did too at first. But I don’t think so. As Sam will happily point out to everyone who comments on her gorgeous hair, “It’s ORANGE, not RED!!”

Sam begged us for a pinata this year and Mark obliged. He bought her a dinosaur, and she loved it.

It took FOREVER for that thing to break. Maddox and Sam whacked it so many times. Sam wasn’t the strongest hitter, but Maddox packs a wallop and he only managed to make the teeny tiniest crack.

Finally, I gave it a go. I mean, come on, I’m a grown up, and not a weak one, surely I can break this thing, right?

Yeah, no. Mark had to slam on it really hard to get it to break.

And it finally did, to the delight of the kiddos.

Here is Sam’s cake. It’s awfully pink, which thrilled Sam to death. If any color is her favorite after orange, it’s pink.

It was a really nice day, but boy was it windy. We couldn’t even get the candles to stay lit. We had to resort to blocking the wind just long enough for us to sing.

Once we ate cake, it was on to Sam’s favorite part – her gifts!

Grandmom and Poppy bought her a pink scooter. Exactly what she wanted!

She got a Hello Kitty mermaid from Zephyr, which was definitely on her gift list.

On to her big gift from us – the Lundy Smaland dollhouse she has been eyeing in the toy store. Every time we’d go past the store at the mall, she’d ask me if she could go it to visit “her” dollhouse.

It is a pretty cool house. The furniture is cute and it lights up!

Ta da! The house. Exactly what she wanted.

Krista and Adam bought her Zingo, which is a really fun bingo game for kids. Debbie, our neighbor, kindly played with her while we all sat and talked.

It was a really nice party for not only Sam but us. We have lived next door to our neighbors, Joe and Debbie, for so many years, but we don’t seem to ever get together. It was really nice that they joined us for Sam’s party. They are so kind to her all the time that I wanted them to enjoy her day with her. Everyone had a great time hanging out. Adam kept them entertained, I am sure, while we were busy with other things.

The festivities came to an end, but the party still looked great. I was sad it was all over and so was Sam.

Over the next few days, we had a good time playing house.

Sam couldn’t wait to get outside to try her scooter.  She was very tentative at first, and had trouble steering, but she did pretty well!

Great job, Sam! Pretty soon, you’ll be a pro!

At school on Monday, we had her birthday celebration. It was different from last year since they do their party snack at snack time when the parents are gone, but I did go in and read to her class, and the kids sang Happy Birthday, which she loved. Happy, happy birthday, Sweetie!

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pamelamyers | September 22, 2014

This year’s birthday celebration was a lot of fun even if turning 45 was a bit much to take in. How I am this age, I have no idea. Some days, I feel every bit of my age and others, I think, there is NO WAY. But it’s all good. I get to spend my days with my amazing daughter and husband and who could ask for more than that?

As it always happens in our family with birthday celebrations, mine got spread out over a few days. The first was with Krista, Adam, Maddox and Ryder. Mark’s dad was still away on his cross-country trip otherwise he would have been there. We decided to have the party outside since it was a gorgeous day and frankly, having the party outside made a lot less work for me and Mark! I didn’t feel like I had to straighten up the house at all, and the party mess stayed outdoors. It turned out to be a great idea. We borrowed our neighbors’ picnic table, set up the fire pit for marshmallow roasting, and got to eating and celebrating. Sam and Maddox put all my candles on the cake. Unicorn helped too. 🙂 Sam has been dragging that unicorn around with her every day since she got her.

Here’s the party!

When it was time to sing and blow out the candles, Sam and Maddox were right there to help. I’m lucky there weren’t 45 candles on that cake, I needed help with the few I had!

Almost 15 years later, and this old married couple still looks pretty good!

We brought Zephyr out to join the festivities, but I don’t think she liked the firepit all that much. I did get a quick cuddle in.

The kids were pretty into the firepit, and the marshmallow roasting, but getting either one of them to actually eat a roasted marshmallow was a challenge. At least Maddox ate the unroasted ones – Sam wouldn’t even try any! She was happy to stuff my face with them though.

Thanks for the birthday hugs, Sammy. They are the best gift ever.

Before the crew left, Sam wanted her picture taken with Ryder. So cute!

We did get some quiet time in as a family after the party was over. It was nice sitting outside by the fire, just hanging out and relaxing.

As we sat there and it got late, Sam got a bit cold. I was wearing the yellow sweater I have on here and gave it to Sam to drape over her so we could stay outside a bit longer. She turned to me and said, “Mom, you always have something I need.” I hope that’s always true, Sammy Pie. I hope you always believe your mom will be able to give you just what you need, no matter what it is.

I waited to open my gifts from Mark and Sam until my actual birthday. Sam was bursting at the seams to get me to open my gifts. She was so excited. My first gift was this beautiful heart she had hidden away for me for a long time.

My next gift from Sam was something homemade…

And a cute little owl purse that her daddy helped her buy. She couldn’t wait to help me get it around my neck the proper way.

I loved all my gifts from my beautiful family. I love you guys!

One last photo. Mark asked Sam if she would try to take a picture of us. She absolutely jumped at the chance to use daddy’s camera. Of the 15 or so pictures she managed to take in about 3.2 seconds, this one wasn’t half bad! Thanks, Sam!

Sam had been a little sick lately, very stuffed up and sneezy, and on my birthday she tried her very best to con me into giving her ice cream, which was the last thing she needed. She tried the rationale that “it would make me feel better and totally forget I am sick”, then, when that didn’t work, she tried the, “but it’s your birthday, we need to have ice cream” excuse. Sounds like a con to me. But, as my mom always says, she has a great reason or explanation for everything she wants to do. Did she get the ice cream? Yup. She did.

My last day of celebrations was with good old mom and dad! Sam was just happy there was more cake!

The orange frosting flower was hers, of course.

Gift opening is in the running with cake eating as Sam’s favorite birthday activity, even if the presents are not for her. She helped me open everything, then posed very sweetly for the camera, as usual.

I am a pretty lucky lady. Happy Birthday to me!

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pamelamyers | September 9, 2014

Yesterday was Sam’s first day of school for the year. Her last year of preschool before kindergarten. It is hard to believe. Time has gone by so quickly. Mark and I got ready to walk her to school and it felt like just yesterday that she started school for the very first time. She looks so grown up now, she is such a big girl. And so very beautiful. Sam picked her outfit today (no surprise there) and I think she looks amazing.

We took a moment to take some photos together before leaving. She looks so happy and excited, but I know inside she was a little scared. She wasn’t going to know anyone in her class this year from last year, and Julia, her friend, moved on to kindergarten. Her old apprehension about meeting new people came right out.

I love her sassy little face in this one. Such a girl!

Eventually though, it was time to go and she and her Daddy marched off down the street.

Mrs. Dunbar and Mrs. Hayes had the classroom all set up for the new arrivals and Sam eagerly checked it out. She was happy to see not one, but two kitchens, and a lot of familiar toys like baby dolls and doll houses.

I was surprised when sneaking a peek at the class list, I did see one familiar name, a boy she had in class last year. Not that it matters though. Sam will have nothing to do with the boys! She told me the other day that she doesn’t like boys, only Daddy and Franny! Hmmm…I guess she hasn’t forgotten about Franny’s marriage proposal. There were only about 3 other kids in her class last year not old enough for kindergarten and they stayed in the afternoon class. But it is what it is – Sam will make new friends. I am not worried about it. Who wouldn’t want to be her friend? She is the best.

When we got home, Sam couldn’t wait to decorate her new tote bag. She already had the patches picked out that she wanted to use this year. I think her bag looks fantastic. She placed everything just so, in a logical place, and even her drawing on the bag is very specific. She drew a pond and a lily pad for the duck and the frog, and a tree with branches holding nests for the birds. She drew a sun and placed Cinderella at the bottom to look up at the flying owls. It is so different than last year’s bag (which she still loves) in it organization. Her drawing has really changed in a year.

I am so proud of Sam. I say it all the time, not only here, but also, more importantly, to her. This is her last year of what I consider babydom, even though she isn’t really a baby anymore. She’s not, obviously, but somehow, being in preschool, I can hang on to it a little bit. I feel like once she starts kindergarten she is on a new road. One that quickly leads to “real” school, and growing up so darn fast. And I am very, very proud of everything she has done to get to this point. She has changed and grown and learned so much. When I look at her little face I can’t fathom how she managed to change so much from my baby to the big girl she is now. I swing between wanting her to stay Mommy’s little baby to wanting her to grow up and be independent minute by minute. That’s how it feels anyway. Most of the time I lean toward the growing up part. Move forward, Sammy. Keep moving. No matter what, I’ll always be right behind you, ready to support you, no matter how fast you go.

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pamelamyers | September 8, 2014

Sam  loves doing magic tricks. One of her favorites is to make a drink or food disappear. You have to close your eyes and then, well, the food or drink disappears! It is amazing. She is quite the magician.

The other day, she offered to tell me her secret. I told her, NO WAY. You can’t tell your secret! But she insisted I could know as long as I told no one else, not even Daddy. I promised I would never tell anyone, but, well…I guess I can tell you guys here, as long as you PROMISE not to tell anyone else. Ever.

Are you ready?

When you close your eyes, she drinks or eats the food.

Can

You

BELIEVE

It?

Whoa. That is all I have to say. Amazing.

She has another trick, one where a ball falls off a little table ALL BY ITSELF. It is eerie, it is like it has a life of its own. She offered to tell me that secret too.

Ready?

She shakes the table, just a little bit, but behind the ball, so you can’t see.

INSANE, isn’t it? But you can’t tell! Never! Not anyone! The Great Sam-dini will know if you do…she has secret, magic powers you know.

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pamelamyers | September 7, 2014

Sam has a fascination with the idea of camping in our backyard. Mark has told her that sometime they can but we need a tent first. He finally decided to go and buy one so that if the fancy ever strikes, we will be ready. Well, HE will be ready. I am still not completely sold on the sleeping in a tent idea…

The tent is orange, of course, or at least partly orange, much to Sam’s delight. We set it up in our backyard and Sam got right in. Zephyr was crying at the door to go out so we brought her out to investigate too!

Sam really liked the tent and I think was ready to sleep in it that night. We quickly put the end to that idea since work beckoned the next day. She was really excited – so excited that the poor girl took a header out of the tent – twice, because she forgot about the little step you have to take to get out! The sleeping outside may not happen anytime soon, but I am sure Mark will venture out with her as soon as they are able. He bought a fire pit too, something we have been talking about, so they are all set for a real campout.

I kind of love the idea of having the house to myself but I am sure they will try to get me to sleep outside too. I don’t know who I am kidding. Sam is never going to let me sleep in the house while they are outside. She is getting a lot better at sleeping in her own bed but that is going a bit too far for her. Most nights, Sam manages to stay in her bed until 5 a.m., which is the random time I determined I will let her come to bed with us. How she seems to not come in until then, I have no idea. Luck I guess, since the girl can’t tell time.

At any rate, a-camping we will go! Sometime. Not tonight. Or next week. Next month maybe?….

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