Happy 10th Month Sam

Today is Sam's 10th month birthday. In honor of this big day, Sam pulled himself up to standing. He likes to scoot on his bottom or move by an army style crawl to get where ever he needs to go. Anna started crawling at 10 1/2 months, so we are not surprised that Sam is a little late as well. Dr. Bangston once asked me if we had hardwood floors .. so maybe that makes a difference. Or maybe they are just babies that are happy to sit and look around. Charles lowered his crib tonight and Sam was not so happy with the change.



He eventually decided that it was OK to have a new view out of the bars. Sam was also happier once Mickey left the crib ....



This is Anna sleeping in her bed at 10 months (December 2006).



And ... since I was looking at the December 2006 photo's, I found this one of Miss. Katie from her first birthday party that I thought her grandmother might like to see.

Kelly Point and Cake

We went on a hike today to Kelly Point. A great beach with ospreys, boats, airplanes, and fisherman.



This is my "graduation cake" for Wilton course two. The photos look extra nice since Stephanie came over to take some photos of my cake for me today. Thanks!

A Very Loyal Girl

Anna likes Elvis music. She knows that Elvis is often called "The King" and that he is dead. On the radio this morning, they were taking about Michael Jackson being "The King of Pop" and that he is dead. Anna was upset with this idea since "don't they know ELVIS IS THE KING." To be fair, I do not think she has heard any of Michael Jackson's songs yet and if Stich was a big Michael Jackson fan it might swing her towards his side a little more.

A Daisy Duck Fan

I bought Daisy Duck rain boots and umbrella at the Disney Outlet for $6.99 last week. The giant box came today.



This video is of Anna singing "Baby Beluga" while marching around the couch. Interesting to note that Anna told me the dance she was doing is called "the spider victory dance after they bite you."



This might be the best $6.99 I have spent in a long time.

Feeding Koi

Anna, Sam, and I had dinner with Nana tonight at a favorite Chinese restaurant. Anna likes the sweet and sour chicken and eating with chopsticks. They both really love to pet the fish in the koi pond.



While Anna got to feed the fish, Sam was trying to get one to suck on his fingers.

Father's Day Is Looking UP

We had a great father's day around here today. Anna and I decided to give Charles a little quite time as a gift this year. While Sam was napping, we went to see UP (in 3D). Anna had a great time and really liked watching the movie. She was not too fond of the glasses, so UP stopped being 3D for her after about 30 minutes. Luckily, the movie was not a heavy on special effects, so the only really fuzzy bits were words on the screen (not a problem since she can not read yet).



Sam was sleep most of the time we were gone; however, when he did wake up he was back to his new tricks.



I make a cake for both Charles and my dad (happy father's day Pop pop's). The cake turned out to be a little vintage looking. I think I was inspired by all the Foyle's War we have been watching around here.

Stuck Sammy

Sam can currently only move forward, very slowly, by pulling himself forward with his arms. It is a very long process and he prefers to move backwards. He looks to see where he wants to go, then swivels of his stomach to face the direction backwards, scoots until he reaches the spot, swivels forwards and ... then voila the he is! Today he has been overshooting his mark and getting stuck under stuff.

Baby Kathryn

My friends Kathryn is having her first baby later on this summer. Kathryn came into town for a short visit on Friday. Anna and I spent several days this week getting baby presents picked out (she picked out books), wrapped (small pink suitcase), and making a cake (Anna's first cake). She was really excited to meet "baby Kathryn" and was a little disappointed that there was no baby yet ... just a big bump.



Being the good fairy godmother, that she is, Kathryn brought presents.



Anna decided that she need to take care of Sam present for him. It is a pull along crocodile name Reid. The crocodile is currently tucked in bed with her under it's own "cosy."

The Silly Goggle Play Date

Anna had a very short play date yesterday with her friend Katherine and her brother, who Anna calls "baby Joseph." Katherine is a spitfire and started them all on the idea of the "funny goggle face."



This is Anna laughing at Katherine .. she has the greatest laugh. It is a full body, tears in the eyes, make you smile to hear it ... there is nothing sweeter than a three year old girl laugh.



Baby Joseph's turn with the goggles.



Katherine jumped into Anna's goggle photo with a new silly face.

The Nana Check Up

Nana had some skin cancer removed last month, which led to a terrible and nasty staph infection. And many, many worried conversation with Anna about Nana's health. Luckily, Nana is on the mend and I like to think that some of the good health was due to all the concern and care Anna has given to her this past month.

The Ballet Do

Anna has been letting me brush, comb, and fuss with her hair a little bit more lately.



She really wants to wear "ballet hair" but has a hard time sitting still for all comb and all the fuss.

Everyone Loves Pop Pop's

Pop's pop's was holding Sammy. Maggie, the dog, decided she wanted held also. Then Anna wanted up .. but there was no room for Maggie.



Maggie decided to squeeze in to get in on the love.

Sister And Brother

My friend Stephanie took some amazing photo's of Anna and Sam (and a little bit of Max) today. They are really beautiful photo's.

Beauty And The Beast The Dress

Anna watched a little Beauty and the Beast this afternoon (not the scary parts). Lately she likes to watch the t.v. about six inches from the screen while dressed up it the appropriate outfit. Today she took a few tries to get the right dress. She started the movie out with Ariel.



Then she changed into her red ballgown.



Eventually she found the right dress to wear while watching.



The only negative thing about her system is that for the Mickey Mouse Club House she likes to wear just underwear!

Little Bunny Foo Foo

Anna taught Sam and I the little bunny foo foo song today. She was amazed that I had heard of this song before ... and that I knew the bunny finger part. Anna asked me if I had gone to preschool.



This is the part where you whack them on the head, "not very nice though ... we only pretend."



Sam was not that interested.



Sam's playing with Anna's toys, eventually led to Anna's disinterest in teaching.

A Boy And A Dog

Sam and Stella are pals. When Sam spends time on the floor Stella is right next to him, ready for a sticky little boy pat of the head.



Can you see Mr. Sam behind Stella? Thanks to Sam friend Max we are able to celebrate Christmas in June around here ...

While I Was At Work Today

Mr. Sam was giving his best smiles to Pop pops ... and he was also wedging himself under chairs.

A Ballet Day is The Best Day

We went to see the final Oregon Ballet Theaters performance of the season today. The performance was called Rush + Robbins and it was amazing.



Walking to the ballet after lunch. Anna really likes to eat Chinese food. She has a plastic little helper that makes it more fun for her to eat with the chop sticks. The current Anna favorite is sweet and sour chicken.



Anna is peaking into the orchestra pit to say "hello" to her friend the conductor. He has promised to take her back stage with him next time he sees her at the ballet. She did get to meet some of the horn players are press the buttons on a (maybe some sort of) tuba.



Next season Charles and I will stay home with Sam. It was a little difficult to get babysitting for Mr. Sam and Charles had to miss a few performances. Anna loves to be with Nana and Pop pops so much that I do not think she will miss us.

Graduating Goldfish

Anna had her last spring term swim class today. The teachers had a little graduation ceremony afterwards for the kids. Anna was super excited to be a "a goldfish next time."



I do not have the heart to tell her that she already is a goldfish :)

The Lady Lunches

The past two day all of Anna's play dates have revolved around lunch. Anna is becoming quite a good little hostess. If she ever wanted to she would be a fantastic debutant ... since I think they have to host many luncheons, carry purses, wear dresses and gloves ... all things that Anna currently is fantastic at doing.

This is yesterday's lunch with Henry, Katie, and Katherine. We hosted a impromptu play date since the original plans to meet outside were cancelled due to rain.



Today's lunch was in a converted school bus with Theo and his sister Hazel. It was so fun to eat in a Bluebird and Anna likes the music they played (60's psychedelic style). We sang a modified version of "the wheels on the bus" song all the way home.

Ping The Duck PJ's

Nana brought Anna several pairs of frog button pj's last year from Chinatown (San Francisco) last year. They finally fit her and are her pj's of choice this summer. Last night, during story time, she pulled out the Ping book to show us that she matched the boy in the picture.



She is also recently decided that Stella is fun to share books with (she doesn't grasp the pages like Sam does).



These are the pink pj's she wore a few nights ago.