Christmas Wish Lists

For those who are interested, I've started Sam a Christmas Wish List on Toys R Us and Target's websites. You can search for it by his name under the Wish List heading (different from Gift Registries). These are just some fun things I found when playing online, trying to decide what Ash and I are getting him (still not sure yet). We haven't actually gone to any of the stores yet to look, so there may be more fun stuff I don't know about yet.

As of right now, Sam is into dinosaurs, monsters and small figurines (Mickey, Minnie, Manny, Mr Lopart, Kelly, Cookie Monster, Elmo & Super Grover take a bath with him at night and sleep with him). He has one game, Goodnight Moon, and absolutely loves it. That's why I picked out quite a few at Target. Plus, we're about to be stuck inside for several months. He is also loving the alphabet. He plays with his ABC puzzle every day continuously, so I picked out the corresponding number puzzle at Target too.

Sam is ALWAYS telling me he needs to go to work, Wal-Mart and the grocery store hence the cash register, shopping cart and play food. Another top favorite right now is the Wedgits building set. He received a small 15 piece set last year. I picked out a larger set at Target because he just loves building things with these.

Ok, so there's some ideas if you need them. Happy shopping!

Grandsboy Web Site

Kodak Gallery has made some changes, and they've done away with our grandsboy site where I uploaded photos. Not sure what I'll use now, but I'll let you know once I decide. Sorry!

Halloween Costume

Ok, so here's the closest we got to Sam dressing up for Halloween. Note, these pictures were taken at least a week after Halloween. Oh well ... maybe next year! (The costume is Woody, the cowboy from Toy Story.)

6:30 am Conversation

Scene: Sam's fussy, in his bed, begging to go outside. Again, it's 6:30 am and cold outside.

Sam: I need shoes, socks and raincoat. Go outside.
Me: Sam, it's cold outside. We're not going out right now.
Sam: screaming, crying, mad
Me: No
Sam: YES!
Me: Sam, you don't argue with me when I tell you "No."
Sam: Mom, that's ridiculous!
Me: SAM!
(inner monologue: speechless, laughing and rather impressed with his use of the word)

Amazing Acres

My friend Corrie invited us to Amazing Acres, a local pumpkin patch. Sam had such a great time playing with her daughter, Kayli, and Katie's son, Tripp. There was quite a lot to see and do, including:

Cow Ride



Lots of animals, including the pigs
Sam was excited when he spotted them. "Them so cute!"


Duck Races


Lots more pictures will be on grandsboy soon.

Kindermusik

Here's some recent shots of Kindermusik fun at Mrs. Jane's house.






You can check out Mrs. Jane's web site at www.photobucket.com/mrsjane
I'm photographing and videoing the classes for her and posting everything on here. Sam is in the "Our Time" class. Enjoy!

Outdoor Fun

More pics to follow on grandsboy soon!

Sad Dream

A week or so ago, Sam woke up during the night after a bad dream. When I went to check on him, he wasn't really crying, just mad. He wouldn't even talk to me. The next morning I asked him about it. He told me he had a dream that Lightning McQueen (from the movie Cars) was a baby and was broken, and that it made him sad. Sam is STILL talking about this dream, about how it made him sad and he cried. It's the first dream that's really left an impression on him. Odd ...

Dr. Sam, Dr. Daddy & Dr. Momma

Sam is loving his doctor tools, so we are constantly fixing one another in this house. He knows exactly which tools he wants to use, and which ones we should use. And don't even try to use them incorrectly (or pretend they can serve another purpose.) Oh no! There's no room for error - or imagination - in Dr. Sam's office.

If You're Happy & You Know It

I had no idea he even knew this song until we started singing it in Kindermusik class. What else does he know that I haven't thought to ask him?

If You're Happy & You Know It from amber Dicus on Vimeo.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

A little shower serenade for you. Sorry, the battery died before he could sing his ABCs. Still trying to get that one recorded.

Itsy Bitsy Spider from amber Dicus on Vimeo.

The Fair

We took Sam to the White County Fair the other night, and this kid was unstoppable! He rode everything he possibly could at least twice.

He has absolutely no fear, as you can see in this photo. I couldn't watch as he climbed all the way up.



And of course, he loved driving the cars and trucks. More pictures on grandsboy. Enjoy!

Chattanooga's Creative Discovery

In August, Ash and I took Sam to the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga. Fantastic outing! It's a wonderful hands-on museum for kids. Lots more pictures on grandsboy. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday NottaFarm

We celebrated NottaFarm's 5th birthday last week. Sam helped me make cupcakes to help commemorate the big event.



He did a fantastic job adding the sprinkles. Lots and lots of sprinkles. Everywhere. On the cupcakes, on the floor, in his mouth. Everywhere.




Take note of the monkey on the top cupcake. Recognize it? That's from his birthday cupcakes I made for school. When he heard what I was making, he immediately went looking for this monkey to put on the cupcake. He definitely has his father's memory!

1st Day of School

Sam started a new Mother's Day Out program in August. So far, so good. His teachers keep telling us he's the best one in the class, and he seems to be loving it. Of course, he's the only boy in the class with seven little girls. How can he not be happy? Apparently one day last week, he told his teachers exactly what songs he wanted to sing and became upset when they skipped "Itsy Bitsy Spider." That amused his teachers. They have no idea what they are in for!

Washing Daddy's Truck

Sam loves to help Daddy wash the truck. And, of course, now we have to wash Sam's car too, using all Daddy's special car wash tools.

Nothing says "Good Morning" like a little Randy Travis, two-year-old style.

bones from amber Dicus on Vimeo.

We are now a pacifier-free house!

Sam threw away his last and final pacifier on Thursday. We are DONE with them! Victory!

The Amazing Flying Sam

New beach pictures on grandsboy. Enjoy!

Kiddie Pool Fun

My Little Helper

Two-Year-Old + Shaving Cream + Food Coloring =

Good Morning

While enjoying my first cup of coffee the other morning, Sam told me he was "working" while in the kitchen. I just replied, "Mmm hmm. That's nice baby." When I returned for my second cup of coffee, this is what I found.



He emptied EVERYTHING out of his cabinet into the sink. Every cup, plate, bowl, lid, etc. He told me they all needed to be washed. Arrgh ...

Boat Ride

We finally got to take the boat out for a little cruise several weeks ago. Sam enjoyed the ride and swimming in the lake. I never expected him to get in the water but he went right for it!

The scene:
Sam has a meltdown over something (who can keep up at this point?!?) I send him to his room. This is what I find when I go to check on him. Tear-stained face, Mickey Mouse ears and the digital clock. I cracked up.

New Beach Pictures Coming Soon!

We just returned from a fun trip to Florida with our friends Mindy, Emma & Grant. I'll have lots of pictures uploaded soon. Just hang with me.

Swimming Montage

swimming from amber Dicus on Vimeo.

Swim Baby

While waiting for his turn, Sam decided to teach the baby doll to swim. He kept telling her to do her shovels and kick her feet. When he hugs her, he exclaims "You did it baby!" Adorable!

baby swim from amber Dicus on Vimeo.

Happy Father's Day song

Here's a little video of Sam playing his "piano" and singing the Happy Father's Day song. I missed the very beginning where he actually sings "Happy Father's Day" but you can hear the rest of the song. You'll hear him say something about Nana doesn't have one, Mommma doesn't have one, Sam doesn't have one. Apparently this was more of a blues rendition of the song, talking about all those who don't get presents on this day. Only a kid ...

father's day song from amber Dicus on Vimeo.

Happy Daddy's Day

We celebrated a wonderful Father's Day here at NottaFarm. Sam especially loved the card he gave Ash, which featured the "boy and bear" on the front and sang "I want to be like you" all from The Jungle Book.

daddy's card from amber Dicus on Vimeo.