Maybe Next Year Adorable Clifford Costume

Well, as you all know, Sam LOVES Clifford. So who else would he be for Halloween but, you guessed it, Clifford (or so I thought). To get ahead of the game, I sought out to find a Clifford costume about 2 or 3 months ago and found one online for about $50. Being the penny pincher that I am, I refused to pay that much for a costume. So I decided that this would a perfect opportunity to make my first Ebay purchase. I tried over and over again to win a costume and would be outbid at the last moment. This became a major quest/obsession for a period of time. I MUST win the costume I thought! (with a little crazed look in my eye). So finally, I got the email (while at the State Fair) that I had one a costume for only $15 including shipping. Woo Hoo!!! I won! I was sooo proud of myself. I waited patiently for the mailman to bring it to my door. Day after day went by and finally it came! It was even better than I had imagined. Sam was going to be the cutest Clifford in the entire world, I just knew it! Upon taking it out of the box, I realized that it was so long that it would almost fit Matt (Ok, little dramatic) but I thought we could make a few adjustments if needed. I couldn't wait to show Sam. I pictured him rushing over to it to tell him "Hi" or blow him a kiss. I couldn't wait...

He's petrified of it. I mean HATES it. HATES HATES HATES it! When I first showed it to him he ran from me saying "No, No, No!". I thought that maybe if I just put it on him he would warm up to it. Holy Cow. Honestly, I think children in China were awoken from a deep sleep from the amount of screaming that came from my child. Blood curdling screams. Soooo, farewell Adorable Prize Winning Clifford Costume for only $15 including shipping....maybe next year!

Boots to Bed

It all started tonight when Sam found his boots when we were getting ready for bed. I had just had a major battle with him over which pj's he was going to wear (he refused to wear anything that is one piece ex. the blanket pj's). Remembering the last time he wanted to wear his boots at bedtime, I decided that I would not pick this battle and let him wear them for as long as he wanted. (The last time he wanted to wear them to bed I put them away thinking he wouldn't really care and I was VERY mistaken...it resulted in a full on come-apart.)

While feeling like hot stuff in his stylin' pj's and hunting boots, he found my camera. This was a first....over and over again, he would hand it to me and then step back and say "Cheese!" with a funny smile on his face and then take the camera from me and turn it around so he could see his picture. I'd ask him who the picture was of and he would say "Ssssssss" which is how is says Sam. After our little photo session, it was off to read books and go night night (still wearing his boots of course!)

These pics are from our "photo session". He stopped between poses to do a little dance because he was stylin'! Say Cheese!

Here we are reading his new favorite book, The Little Engine that Could while...wearing his boots.

Night Night for my sweet SamBo. He was sawing logs in you guessed it....his precious boots!

He loves him some Guacamole!

Sam throws down the guacamole! He eats more than Matt does, no lie!

Read it! Read it! Read it!

For those of you that know me know that I am NOT a reader. However, after much prodding from Matt and my mom, I began reading the most moving book I have ever read, Same Kind of Different As Me. This true story is so simple and inspiring. I was moved to tears throughout most of it and was sad as I neared the end simply because I didn't want it to be over. It is a true story that is a clear, genuine description of the power of God and his love for all. The experience has left a lasting impact on my life, the way that I view others and a rare glimpse into God's big picture. I am thankful that these two men came together and told their story. I would love to be able to meet them and just shake their hands. Read it! Read it! Read it! I can't wait to read it again!

Sticky Sticky Sticky

NEVER underestimate the stickiness of a toddler with a Tootsie Pop.

State Fair 2008!

Every year, my family goes to the State Fair. We all meet in front of the Fletchers Corny Dog stand and fill up on tons of fried foods. Sam is getting to an age where he can actually participate in things which makes everything a lot more fun! He wasn't crazy about Big Tex. He didn't cry but he wouldn't turn his back on him. He kept a snake eye on him at all times. Here are some pics of our trip to the fair...

Sam's 1st Corny Dog (which is now his new kick...move over waffles, here comes the corny dog)

Cousin Luke was so excited to see Sam! He ran up to him and gave him a hug when he saw him. He is almost exactly 1 year older than Sam.

Sam played lots of games with Daddy but the Lucky Ducky game was just his size :)

Honestly, does anyone ever actually win at the Ring Toss game?

With all those prizes and stuffed animals around, all Sam wanted was a "Ball Ball". The problem was you had to spend your life's savings on some impossible game throwing a basketball into a goal that wasn't actually round.

Daddy tried.....

Grandad tried....

and no "Ball Ball". Finally, some nice lady working one of the impossible basketball games felt sorry for Sam (or Matt and Grandad) and gave him a "Ball Ball" and all was right in the world according to Mr. Sam.

We finished the night on the Carousel. Sam loved it until it started moving. He bailed off his horse after about a minute or two and we ended up on a bench that didn't go up and down.We had a lot of fun...can't wait until '09!

Come on people...get your head in the game!

I'm by far not a Howard Stern fan but this video is VERY true (and frustrating!!!) Watch and see...

The Sweetest Moment

The best part of going to the Air Show was the priceless moment I captured between Matt and Sam. It was so wonderful that I felt it deserved it's own blog entry...

Matt was holding Sam and watching the planes while Sam was playing with Matt's sunglasses. After a while, Matt turned to Sam and smiled. Sam put his sweet little hands on either side of Matt's face and smiled the most innocent smile right back at him. They just sat there for a minute or so staring at each other and smiling. It's like they were both just happy to be there together at that moment. It was so innocent and genuine. I am so thankful I was able to witness it and that I had my camera so that I could capture it.

Air Show

We took Sam to his first Air Show yesterday. He loved planes and when there is one flying over, he stops in his tracks to point in the sky to make sure that everyone around him sees the plane. We weren't sure how he would do at the show however because they can be really loud! He had a lot of fun! He quickly learned the drill that when one went by, he would bury his head in our chest and we would cover the exposed ear with our hand. As soon as the noise stopped, he would look up, clap and say "Yay!".

He was totally pooped by the ride home!

Current Addictions

Current Addictions -
The Rules:
1. Write a post about five current addictions (with details)2. Mention the person who started this (Being Brazen) and also the person who tagged you (House of House).3. Title your post “Current Addictions”4. Tag at least two people and pass on the above rules.

Addiction #1~ Definately Blogging....you know you have a problem when you plan events just so that you can blog them later (...Heather). I have caught myself doing this a lot lately! The other day, I was playing with Sam across the street at the park and thought to myself, "Huh, what a great blogging op" sooooo I picked Sam up (after convincing him to put his rocks down which is the main thing I was wanting to capture in the first place) and walked all the way back to my house to get the camera. By the time we got back, he was over the rocks and whatever else it was that I thought was such a perfect opportunity to capture and was moving onto other things....bummer!

Addiction #2~ So You Think You Can Dance.....the best show on TV! I went to the concert tonight (future blog to come) and decided about 10 minutes into it that it was in fact my very favorite show. If you haven't watched it before, it comes on in the summer so you have about 7 months to prepare.

Addiction #3~ Being SUPER prepared for Christmas... Every year I set out to do this and EVERY year I end up staying up most of the night on Christmas Eve wrapping gifts. This year, I plan on finishing my shopping early and wrapping as I buy things so I don't get so behind. Also, I am going to attempt to make my own Santa for my yard....I'll let you know how that turns out ;) My goal is to finish all of that kind of stuff before Thanksgiving so that I can do other things during the season like bake cookies for my neighbors. (Don't laugh, I might actually do it this year)

Addiction #4~ Sam Sam and more Sam.... I have said it 1,000 times before but I just absolutely love being a mom. My very favorite time of day is at night just before he goes to bed. After reading books, we sit in his rocker and he actually cuddles (which never happens during the day...he's much too busy), I sing Amazing Grace to him, and we rock. That time with him is so peaceful and innocent.

Addiction #5~ Coffee Mate Creamy Chocolate Cream in my morning coffee. The only thing better than the chocolate cream is when the holiday/fall flavors come out...LOVE THEM! I can't get started until I have had a cup. After my 3rd cup, I am ready to roof the house.

I tag...Heather and Michelle