Summer Selfie

I thought it was only fair to get a selfie with both my girls today in honor of Samantha's 7th Birthday!

It was a beautiful morning and the sky was full of perfect clouds.

We Have a Birthday Girl! Samantha Is the Big 7!

Dear Samantha,

Today you turn 7 years old.   I sound so cliche every year, but it's true when I say that it's hard to believe another year has passed since your Birthday.  Another year has passed since you were born.  I still remember to this day the night you were born, you woke up for a feeding, and you and I were walking around watching the fireworks outside our hospital room window.  Your eyes were wide open and you kept yawning to go back to sleep.   I do have to say that memory will be etched in my brain forever.   Just the quietness of everything.   The soft and muffled "thuds" of the fireworks from outside.  As tired as I was from that day in general (you were born at 4:26 a.m, and of course I got a few hours of sleep before then before my water broke), I still remember how peaceful and quiet everything was.   Whenever I need to go to my "happy place", that memory is always part of my memory slideshow.  I remember wondering what you would be like when you grew up.

So today, seven years later, you are very independent and express your opinion on the things you like and don't like.  You're very cautious yet, if you're feeling very confident about something, you lead the charge.    You have a hard time making up your mind about things, yet you let everyone know what you want.  School has been showing you ways on how to solve a problem.   You've been showing that you're a problem solver, and even try to solve Mommy and Daddy's problems as well.   Already being a perfect little diplomat.

Here are some of the milestones/accomplishments you have achieved in the last year:

• You just completed your first year in a new school.  1st grade is completed!!!  You really enjoyed going to school full time each day...except for the days when you found out Sarah was going to play dates at her friend's houses.  Ha ha.  Now you are ready to head to 2nd Grade in August!
• You still love to read.  Everything from books from the library, to newspaper ads.   You just finished your 2nd chapter book recently:  Anne of Green Gables.   Eventually, we'll get the movie for you to watch and compare the two.
• You're handwriting and coloring have come such a long way in a year.   You're constantly writing stories, and cards for everyone.   I'm glad your enthusiastic about wanting to write.
• Yesterday, you and Daddy and Sarah went shopping for your Birthday present:   a brand new bike!   In 2 years, you've already outgrown your 16" bike and are tall enough to ride a 20" now.    You just keep growing, and nobody is stopping you.  Ha ha. 
• You are still challenging us in the listening department.   I know you want to be independent, but you still need to listen.  Hopefully this is just a phase you're going through.

Daddy and I are proud of the person that you've become so far.  You have many years ahead of you, but we love where you are headed.  Now, there are days where it's not all rainbows and sunshine.  We do have our difficult days, but we learn each time, don't we?  God knew we needed you.  To help us learn.  To show us how to laugh.  To know what it's like to sacrifice.  We would not change anything, ever.  We are just so blessed to have you as part of our life.  As part of our family.  Always have that spark and that never lose that smile of yours.

Happy Birthday Sam.  We love you.  Always.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Here is what you looked like in past Birthdays

And here is what you look like today!

We Have a Birthday Girl! Sam is the BIG 6!

Dear Samantha,

Today, you turn 6 years old.  I know I say this every year, but I still cannot believe it's been a year since we've celebrated your last birthday.  Not only that, but this time six years ago Daddy and I were holding you in our arms at the hospital just marveling at this beautiful little baby with a full head of hair.  We sat there wondering what you going to be like and what your voice would sound like.  Now today, you're very independent, and expressing your opinion about things.

Here are some of the milestones/accomplishments you have achieved in the last year:

• You just completed your first year of school in Kindergarten.  You really enjoyed going to school each day.  Now you are ready to head to 1st Grade in September!
• You're really reading now.  I mean really reading.  Everything from books from the library, to our mail and even signs at the stores.
• You're coloring more inside the lines now.  You're really taking the time to choose your colors and decide how exactly you want to draw and sketch your pictures.
• You no longer need a side bed rail
• This was the first year you actually asked for a Birthday gift:  a scooter.  To which (you don't know it  yet, but...it's sitting inside our closet waiting to be opened.)  Bwah ha ha ha.
• You're already showing signs of being like Daddy.  When a problem comes up, you suggest ways on how to solve the problem.
• There are days where we wonder if you're really listening.  And then, Daddy and I will have a conversation about photography, or talk about our wedding.  Next thing I know, I hear you pretending with your toys and reenacting something Daddy and I talked about the previous day.
• Although you still have them once in awhile, you're actually seeing the value of not throwing a temper tantrum.  Granted, you're getting older and voicing your opinion about things like food, or clothing, but you're actually putting two and two together and trying your best to understand where Mommy and Daddy are coming from.  Now, if we could just work on the no arguing with your sister...

Daddy and I are proud of the person that you've become so far.  You have many years ahead of you, but we love where you are headed.  Now, there are days where it's not all rainbows and sunshine.  We do have our difficult days, but we learn each time, don't we?  God knew we needed you.  To help us learn.  To show us how to laugh.  To know what it's like to sacrifice.  We would not change anything, ever.  We are just so blessed to have you as part of our life.  As part of our family.  Always have that spark and that never lose that smile of yours.

Happy Birthday Sam.  We love you.  Always.

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Here is what you looked like in past Birthdays

And here is what you look like today!

We took a swim in the pool today...

We had dinner at Bertucci's and the waitstaff sang "Happy Birthday"!

After we got home from dinner, we changed into our PJ's, and opened up Birthday cards.  Mamere included a nice surprise in her card to you...

Samantha's Birthday - Part 2

This past weekend, we held Samantha's 5th Birthday party with her friends and family.  Sam was so excited to have her Godfather, Andre come down for an unexpected visit.  Plus, she loved the fact that she had two of her very good friends from her class there too.  Mommy and Daddy loved the fact that there was beautiful Summer weather and great company to spend the day with!

Sarah was happy that she could hang out with her friends and Samantha's friends too!



Sarah splashing around with her friend Shannon

The cake

The GORGEOUS (and very yummy too I may add) cake made by Nicole. 
Samantha was in awe.

Blowing out the candles

Samantha and her friend Kae

Samantha received some really fun Birthday cards this year...

Sam's BFF's from her preschool class : )

After everyone went home, Samantha wanted to use her new roller blades.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful 5 year old girl :  )

Samantha's Birthday - Part 1

Samantha turned 5 this past Tuesday, July 3rd.  It was a beautiful day out, so we went to the playground in the morning (where Miss Maddie made several sand pies for Sam) and then we followed up with a short lived trip to the beach (don't ask why it was short lived).  Then afterwards, we had my father over for dinner and had cake and ice cream with a few presents for Sam. 

After dinner, our town launced their fireworks off that night, so we invited several of our friends over and we tailgated in our driveway to watch them light up the sky.  Such a fun night!

(Sarah chose Samantha's Birthday balloon.  She was SO proud!)



(Sam chose her Birthday cake this year.  She's going through a pink and purple phase right now)

Sarah singing "Happy Birthday" to Samantha

Sarah wrote Sam's name on the envelope

Samantha reading the Birthday card that Sarah chose for her.

(Samantha's laughing because the card has monkeys dancing all over the card)

Sam and Sarah sitting with Samantha's friend, Kae from preschool during the fireworks

(I LOVE all of their expressions)

We Have A Birthday Girl! Sam Is the Big 5!

Dear Samantha,

Today you turn 5 years old!  Daddy and I cannot believe that 5 years have passed since you arrived and made our lives so much brighter.  You've certainly changed and have grown in 5 years.

Some big milestones that you have accomplished in the last month:

• You are now really swimming... as in without a life jacket on.  You were able to before, but you just didn't believe in yourself and thought you couldn't do it.  Well, you put on your courage and growled at fear and swam several times from one end of Nanny's pool to the other.  Daddy was there to witness it too, so he was SO happy to see you accomplish that.
• You just went camping for the first time this past weekend.  We all went to Mount Blue State Park in Weld, Maine.  You had such a great time playing with your cousins, Damian, Malachi and Clara.  It was so nice to hear you laugh and have so much fun with them.
• Mommy and Daddy have figured out that we cannot spell words anymore with you around, because you're sounding the words out.

Here are some photos of you on your Birthday...

Here's a photo of you on your 5th Birthday!

(By the way, you're up to no good with your Sister and spraying the garden hose)



Thank you for being such a joy in our lives.  Yes, there are days where you fight with us, and you wear our patience down to the bone, but all in all, you are a very sweet, thoughtful girl.  You're learning why it's important to work and why it's important to be passionate about life and the things you accomplish in it.  Always remember that Daddy and I love you so very much.   Thank you for challenging us each day to be great role models for you for when you are older.  We hope you know that you can always come to us...anytime.  Anywhere.  We love you.

Love you always.  Happy 5th Birthday!

Love,

Mommy, and Daddy

Happy Birthday Samantha!

Last weekend, we kicked off our 4th of July weekend with Samantha's birthday. She turned 4 years old this year, so of course we celebrated the best way we know how: with our friends and family. And cake too. (Can't forget the cake).

It really was a fantastic day. The weather was perfect. We got to relax and visit with everyone.

Samantha was so happy that all of her friends and family were there for her big day. When she woke up the morning of her birthday, she announced as we were getting ready for church that "She was excited that she could go to church, go to Nanny's house and see everybody all in one day!"

We didn't even bring up opening presents with Samantha, but I think she was very excited and happy with everything that all of her thoughtful friends brought for her. What do you think?

We Have A Birthday Girl! Sam Is The Big 4!

Dear Samantha,

Today you turn 4 years old. Happy Birthday! We can hardly believe that four years have passed us by. You are growing up so fast and some days, Daddy and I have trouble keeping up with you. You are just so full of life and energy. It's nice to be reminded that we need to slow down sometimes and just take the moment in.

You're starting pre-school in the fall. We know that you are going to do very well. You're practicing writing your letters, including your name. You don't know it yet, but Daddy found a bicycle for you for your party this afternoon. We can't wait to show it to you and see the expression on your face. This weekend is also going to be fun for you. We're going to be heading up to Maine to visit Mamere and Papere and maybe go fishing. But, again, you don't know that ; )

I wanted to do something different for your monthly update...a photo montage. Daddy and I have taken so many photos of you, we just wanted to share it with our friends and family.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful daughter. We thank God everyday that we were blessed with you. Thank you for challenging us each day to make us better parents. We love you so very much. Words cannot express.

Love you so very much,

Love Mommy & Daddy

And now, here is your photo montage. One photo every month starting the day you were born...

Annnnd this is what you look like today in July 2011...4 years later!

We Have A Birthday Girl! Sam Is The Big 3!

"...There she flies, clear blue skies. Reminds us with red, of those that died. Washed in white, by the brave. In their strength, she stands...." ~ Michael W. Smith "There She Stands"

First off, I'd like to say a very Happy 4th of July to all who read this. I hope everyone had their share of fun, cookouts, lots of goodies, and of course the fireworks. The weather was sunny and hot. (Well, at least in Boston anyway) Just the way July 4th should be.

Jeremy, the girls and I had a great weekend. We started off ours by celebrating our daughter Samantha's birthday. Sam turned 3 on Saturday, and I have to admit, I'm still in a little denial about it. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was "out to here" pregnant. Samantha graced us with her presence 4 days early. I remember sitting in my hospital room the night she was born and watching the fireworks from our room.

We started off Sam's birthday by going out to eat breakfast at Friendly's. Then we drove down to Stoneham, Ma to visit The Stone Zoo and saw quite the plethora of animals on display. Samantha especially loved the monkey's and the flamingos. Jeremy and I were quite impressed that Samantha knew what a flamingo was. Sarah loved the Sea Otters and the Pygmy Goats. The girls had a great time patting the goats. Sarah spent a lot of time patting, and saying "Hi!" to the little goat. ("Hi" is Sarah's new found word, and proudly says it to everyone...including Pygmy Goats apparently). Afterwards, we drove home to have lunch and then my roomate/friend, Molly from college came down to visit and had dinner. We completed our dessert with ice cream and sang Happy Birthday to Sam and opened up presents from Jeremy and I.


Today, we celebrated our 4th of July by going to my Mom's house to have a nice cookout and to celebrate Samantha's birthday. It was great to spend the day with family, friends and of course great food, (mostly homemade of course) birthday cake and oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert. I can safely assume that we all rolled ourselves to our cars after the festivities were all over. Sam & Sarah didn't have their usual naps today...but they were having so much fun playing and swimming in the pool, it didn't matter. They were happy little girls for the entire day...even on the ride home. In fact, Molly's balloons that she gave to Samantha provided quite a bit of entertainment. After a bath, and after some bathtub paint time, the girls were in bed very early tonight. I was able to squeeze a jog on my Wii while watching Toby Keith and the Boston Pops perform live on the Esplanade on t.v. I watch it every year, and I am still amazed by the amount of talent behind every player. God bless the U.S.A and God bless those who protect our country.

Thank you to my Mom for hosting...you did an amazing and fantastic job as always :)

Here's a few of my favorite photos from the weekend:

7.3.10 - Stone Zoo - Stoneham, Massachusetts

7.4.10 - Samantha's Birthday Party / 4th Of July Cookout @ Nanny's House

Happy 4th of July everybody!