Happy 6th Birthday!

| September 24, 2015

For Sam’s 6th birthday we got lucky again with the weather. It’s a good thing, because we planned an outside party again and we, to Sam’s surprise and delight, rented her a moon bounce. When it showed up and Mark and I started inflating it she couldn’t wait to get inside. I think she was shocked that she had her very own bouncy castle, right in her driveway! The minute it was fully inflated, she jumped right in.

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This year, her friend, Julia came to her party. The two of them had such a good time bouncing around like maniacs. I knew she wanted Julia and her friend, Ava to come this year (Ava couldn’t make it) but this is the first year that Sam asked me if next year she could have a party and invite her whole class. I guess 6 years of only family parties is a pretty good deal!

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It was the perfect way to keep the kids occupied. With only Sam, Julia and Maddox old enough to play, a whole moon bounce for three kids was more excitement than they could take. Of course, Mark and I had to get in on the action as well. It is pretty fun, but WOW, is it a workout! Forget the gym, just go bouncing.

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As you can see, the kids had a blast. One of their favorite games quickly became Throw the Grown-Ups to the Ground and Tackle Them.

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Krista brought Ryder in but he was a little scared.

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Playing lawn toys was more his speed.

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And visiting our new kitties! He loved trying to spy Penelope.

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We did eventually let him pet Penelope, but Zach wasn’t having it. He kept hiding from all the chaos.

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Finally, after a long time of bouncing and eating (not such a good combo maybe but everyone was ok), it was cake time! Sam wanted a Batman party this year, so of course, she had a Batman cake!

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We all had a great time enjoying the weather and just letting the kids amuse themselves while we sat and talked.

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Finally, it was present time! Sam was anxiously awaiting her presents since she knew someone was getting her the Superhero Barbie she has been clamoring for. Grandmom and Poppy obliged.

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Sam never has much interest in her cards (most likely since she can’t read) so she asked her Poppy to read them all to her.

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Among other things, Mark and I had to get her some Batman toys. We all liked those as much as Sam did. It’s cool having a little girl who isn’t only into princesses and unicorns, I have to say.

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One of her other gifts was this cake set she has been asking for. It is basically a plastic cake that comes in slices that you decorate yourself. I see lots of cake and tea parties in our future.

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Super Baby to the rescue! The girls posed with one of Sam’s new toys in front of the Batman scene.

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It was a fun night. Sam just couldn’t stand the thought of taking down her castle so we let her bounce into the night.

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On Sam’s actual birthday she had school, but we had presents at home that night. She did have cupcakes in school that day, and they all sang to her. It was weird not being there. It’s not preschool anymore and the differences are hard to stand, mostly for me, not her. She is so grown up now. She told me the other day that she goes to her classroom (which is down a long hallway and around a corner) all by herself now, with no teacher to lead her.

Zach and Penelope got her Rex, a stuffed T-Rex she wanted and some of her beloved Shopkins.

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Mark and I had saved a few small Lego sets for her to open.

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After dinner, she wanted to change so she could climb our dogwood tree. She loves climbing the tree and she wanted to show me how high she can go now that she is six.

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It’s pretty high, at least, much higher than she used to go.

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Penelope wanted to come out with us, so Sam happily sat with her in the grass.

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And then Penelope decided to climb the tree….Penelope!!

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I can’t believe how big my girl is. Six still seems so small, but yet, she is so grown up now. The way she talks, the way she thinks, the things she can do. It was only yesterday that she couldn’t do much of anything on her own, now, I am lucky if I get to help. She wants to pick her own clothes, brush her own hair, go off on her own without me following her. I am so proud of the way she is growing, but yet, there is part of me that wishes I could stop time. Sometimes, I lie in bed with her and just stare at her face. I find her so unbelievably beautiful, and funny, and smart, and amazing, that I can’t keep my eyes off of her.

We love you so much, Samantha Myers. Happy Birthday from your biggest fans, your Mom and Dad.