Samantha's first blog

Posted By pamelamyers on December 2, 2017

Sam and I had a busy day today! Today was the Holiday Shop and Holidays Around the World event at her school. She was so anxious to go, and I had to keep explaining to her that it was too early. So, she asked me if we could run to Petsmart. I thought she was insane, wanting to randomly go to Petsmart and told her no. But then she told me she wanted to go so that we could buy toys for all the cats without homes there for Christmas. How could I say no to that? Last year she had that same idea, and we did in fact buy a bunch of toys for the cats up for adoption there. It made her feel really good, picking out toys she thought they would like, and if she wanted to do this charitable, kind, sweet thing, there was no way I was going to refuse her. When we got to Petsmart we first had to count the cats to make sure we had enough toys and then she picked out a bunch of things. She was so happy and proud giving the bag of toys to the volunteer who was there taking care of the cats.

Finally, it was time to go to school! I had run out of random errands to do in order to pass time that morning. We actually go to school a tiny bit early for the Holiday Shop, so we just hung out in the lobby waiting. I noticed that Shelly the turtle’s house was inside and I mentioned that I guess they have to move Shelly into the school for the winter for hibernation. Sam asked me if I knew why that chair had a “Do Not Move This Chair” sign on it. I told her no, and she said because one day they were in the hall coming back from Go Blue (some daily reading activity) “when here goes Shelly just walking down the hall like it was not weird or anything!” So….Shelly escaped from her little area. Oh boy. That must have been quite a sight, this giant tortoise just wandering around. Sam did say that an adult was with him and I joked that it would be funny if Shelly was loose in the school like the ferret in one of the My Weird School books we read. Sam said, “Well, Shelly wouldn’t get very far. It’s kind of slow!” I guess that’s true!

It was finally Holiday Shop time and Sam and I went to the gym so she could buy little gifts for everyone. She bought me a Sweetest Mom mug, a #1 Mom necklace and a few other little things. She bought Mark an ornament and a keychain and she picked up a gift for Grandmom and Zach and Penny. She couldn’t wait to give me and Mark our gifts, but I convinced her to wrap Grandmom’s and the cats’ gifts for Christmas. She bought herself a few little odds and ends too. What a surprise!

After shopping, we watched the Scenic Singers (the 4th and 5th grade choir). Sam expressed some interest in doing that when she is old enough and I really hope she does. Mrs. Matteo, her music teacher, runs the group and she loves her. Sam also likes to sing, so I think she would really enjoy it. If she wants to play sports, Mark and I won’t object, but honestly, we’d be much happier if she did something musical!

We finally got in line for the Holidays Around the World and Sam’s friend Alaina came running up to her and the two of them hugged and jumped around like long lost friends. They were so excited to be at the event together! She has really bonded with these two girls, Giselle and Alaina. It’s so funny…she comes home sometimes and tells me how Giselle and Alaina were fighting and it always seems to be about who gets to play with Sam. Who knew my kid would be so popular that kids are actually arguing over her? Girls….

The whole event was sort of so-so, to be honest. There were seven classrooms decorated for various countries and how they celebrate holidays. I didn’t think it was all that thrilling, but Sam loved the ones that had a craft set up. She and Alaina had fun making bracelets together.

Coloring is always a hit!

I am glad we went because I like seeing Sam excited about things at school, but some events are definitely more fun than others. She had a good time, which is the important thing. It’s going to be a busy weekend!

Categories: Christmas, School
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