A Dreamy Afternoon

These sweet kids are my world. They bring me so much joy, and I am trying to enjoy their sweet childhoods and to help them to enjoy life. For awhile I had an idea in my head that I wanted to "kidnap" the kids after school one day and surprise them with a picnic in the park. Finally one Thursday I decided that "there's no time like the present," so the next day was going to be the day!

I was actually inspired by this quote that I read on my friend Mindy's blog awhile ago. (And it's funny, because the kids' ages in the quote are the exact same ages as our kids right now -- 6, 4, and 1.)

“But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is the one picture of the three of them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting done a little less.” -Anna Quindlen

So we went to the park, and I really tried to make it fun. I packed a big lunch and a soccer ball. That's all you need, really. The kids ate it up -- literally and figuratively! I spread out a blanket, and we enjoyed our lunches of heart-shaped egg-salad sandwiches, strawberries, carrots, and chocolate-chip cookies for dessert. The weather was lovely -- as you can see by what the kids are wearing! It was a dreamy afternoon. Grant had to use the bathroom partway through the picnic, so we went to a friends' house next to the park and ended up inviting them to return to the park with us. We played duck, duck, goose,; freeze tag, etc. They left, and then awhile later a couple of older boys came to the park with a football. I asked them if Aaron and Grant could play with them, and they were so sweet to work with Aaron and Grant on throwing and catching a football. They were so nice and patient with them. It was adorable. We ended up being at the park for almost three hours! It was a lovely way to spend a Friday afternoon. Now I want to do it again! I love these kids! Oh, the simple things ...

Birthday Girl Sami~

Mike's parents come for a wonderful few days in November, and then my parents came to visit for Christmas. We had a lot of fun with them! While they were here we celebrated Sami's first birthday. We served strawberry cake with funfetti frosting. She took a bite, but then didn't seem much interested after that. She might not be my daughter :-)

Here are few pics of the birthday girl, followed by a cute picture of her brothers (just for fun.) It was pirate day :) They love her sooo much! Mike and I do too :) Can't get enough of her!

In keeping with tradition, here's Sami's first birthday letter:

Dear Sami,

You are perfect in every way (you even slept 10-1/2 hours last night. Hallelujah! May this be the beginning of many nights of beautiful slumber!)

You are such a delightful girl! I love you so much. I can't express the joy I felt when I was pregnant and we found out that you were a girl! I was literally jumping up and down with excitement. :) My sister was visiting, and I remember giving her a big hug. You are absolutely everything I would want in a daughter and more. Heavenly Father really, really blessed our family when He sent you to us. You have such a sweet, fun personality. You love to "talk" and are saying a few words: mama, dada, and nana (banana, a fruit you love!) I have also heard you say "okay" and "yeah," in the correct context. You pull herself up, can stand independently, cruise, and may have taken your first step two days ago, but you haven't taken a step since then. No rush :)

You love your brothers and get so excited when you see them, especially first thing in the morning when everyone wakes up. They love you; oh how they love you! They both delight in you, especially Aaron. You two seem to have a very special bond. You are starting to develop a fondness for your Daddy -- often now going to him all on your own (yay!) You are very funny and make all of us laugh. You love to "growl" -- apparently that is your communication method right now. :)

You have started eating all kinds of solids. Some of your favorite foods (besides bananas) are sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, chicken, beans, Triscuits, graham crackers, corn, and chocolate :o) (that's my girl!) Now to get you to guzzle down cow's milk (but that's another story for another day.) :)

You pretty much run the show at home. :) You are feisty (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) and will fight for what you want -- whether it's a toy or a book. You have an interest in books and love to hug little stuffed animals. You love to cuddle and hug. You understand the meaning of "hug" and when I ask you for one, you will cuddle up and give me one.

You are so beautiful! You have a darling smile that can melt anyone's heart. You have six teeth. You have beautiful, bouncy curls to match your bubbly, fun personality. I am jealous of your long, gorgeous eyelashes  (where did they come from??) You seem to understand most of what I say to you (for example, if I ask you to help me start cleaning up, you immediately start helping (mostly just mimicking my behavior.)) You are into pointing, so I've started identifying whatever object you are pointing to. You are extremely active and like to do whatever your big brothers are doing. It's so cute, you will laugh whenever everyone else is laughing. I love that you are so quick to laugh. I hope you never take life or yourself too seriously!

I love you Sami! It is so fun having you in our home. Happy birthday to my sweet girl!

Mom