First Day of School!

Today was a big day in the Noland household. Samantha went to her very first day of Mothers Day Out. 2 of the 3 of us shed tears ... I'll let you guess which 2! (Hint: It wasn't the 2 year old.) I am happy to report that she had a great morning. She woke up very excited about her day. She was even more excited when I showed her the pink monkey lunchbox. I could've cried a river making that peanut butter and jelly sandwich to go. She declared the Wonder Pets backpack "too heavy" (it's not), but she loved toting around that lunchbox!

She had a few hesitant moments in the chaos of first day drop off, but she never bat an eye when Steve and I left her there. After the parent orientation, we went back to sneak a peek and found her playing very contentedly on the playground. When I picked her up this afternoon, her teachers said she was wonderful all day. She ate all of her lunch and really enjoyed the books. Samantha says she had fun as well. The only thing I can get out of her is that she held a rope in her hand. (???) Needless to say, Samantha is very excited about school!!

Bunny? Check. Monkey lunchbox? Check. Ready to go!

Giving Daddy some first day of school sugar.

A very proud Mommy!!

Waiting patiently to head to school.

Leaving Mommy and Daddy in the rearview.

Lazy Days of Summer

Since I have been so slack in my blogging this summer, I thought I'd post a few random pictures of our activities. Because of the heat, Samantha and I have spent a lot of time indoors, but we've still managed to have a good time. She seems to do or say something each and every day that just cracks Steve and me up. She has a very active imagination!


We have snuck in some fun in between all of our room and baby preparations. Speaking of which, Samantha's baby brother is scheduled to join us on October 5th, unless he decides he wants to come earlier. As of right now, Samantha is excited at the prospect of becoming a big sister. She is very sweet to baby brother, and even gave him a little reassurance today when I told her we were going to the doctor this week to check on him. She patted my belly and said "It'll be okay baby brother. I'll take care of you!" I hope she'll be just as sweet when he gets here!

We have been very into dolls this summer. Changing them, feeding them, you name it! Steve helped her learn how to swaddle her babies, since he was the master swaddler. He decided to try it out on Samantha just to see if it could still be done. Guess what? It can, and she thought it was hilarious!

Steve and his mini-me celebrate Father's Day.

Taking a spin in the wagon with Daddy and Papaw on Father's Day. Mommy stayed behind on the porch!!

Big Guy and Grammy came to visit in June. Samantha took them to eat at her 2 favorite places .... Chuck E Cheese and Chick Fil A. We really treated them to some high quality dining, didn't we? Big Guy had to show her how skee ball is done.

Chick Fil A hosted a touch a truck event while Mom and Dad were here. It was pretty neat. They had all sorts of emergency vehicles for the kids to look at and sit in. Of course, none of the trucks held a candle to the real star of the event - the Chick Fil A cow!

Samantha in her 4th of July finery at the Loser's Party, which is thrown every year by our next door neighbors, who are British. She was a hit in her red, white and blue!

Always, always wanting to help - she was a big "help" when Daddy painted the walls of her new big girl room. Goodbye Goldenrod Yellow, hello Cotton Candy pink! (And, please, don't call it pink. It is Cotton Candy Pink!)

Celebrating her friend Garrison's 3rd birthday.

Hamming it up with Papaw and Wawa after she gave them their anniversary present. She was very excited about it. She put the stickers on all by herself, and even recorded them a message.

I'm not really sure what this was about. I stripped her down one day when we had spaghetti-o's for lunch. I turned away for a second and she decided to just make herself comfortable. Whatever works!

When she was at Papaw and Wawa's house last weekend, they made cookies for Dora the Explorer's birthday. They were delicious! I think Samantha enjoyed them too. At least what she was actually able to get in her mouth.

I'm not entirely sure how this trick started. I just know that Samantha thought it was hilarious that Daddy could jump over her head. Yes, those are Steve's legs! We were impressed with the air he was getting on his jumps. Still got it!

This morning, Samantha decided to teach her Bitty Baby how to swim in the ocean. We had to lather Bitty up in suntan lotion and everything. Since it was kind of a messy day outside, we decided to have a picnic lunch on the "beach", like we do at the actual beach. I'm afraid I've set a dangerous precedent ... now she'll request every meal in the floor on a beach towel!

The Big Girl Room

We have been working diligently for months now it seems to get Samantha's new big girl room ready. We decided awhile ago, and Samantha finally conceded, that baby brother should use the "baby room". She was conviced for quite some time that she was going to have 2 rooms ... a baby room and a big girl room! I think seeing the close to finished product made her realize that the new room is way cooler. It started with removing the old furniture when Mom and Dad were in town last month, and finished up this past weekend with the help of Jerry and Connie.

Monday night was the big night. We decided to let Samantha take the big girl bed for a spin. She slept right through the night, and even took her nap in it the next day. I am knocking on every piece of wood around me as I type this, but we have now had 2 successful nights in the new digs. Since most of her things are now in her new room, we are hoping she doesn't look back!

We thought we'd share a few pictures of the room, complete with "cotton candy pink" walls and plenty of flowers and butterflies. We have yet to finish the white dresser, and we still have some things to hang on the walls, but Samantha is happy with it. And if Samantha is happy, we're all happy!

Helping put together her new bookshelf. She likes to help whenever she can!

Monday night, fast asleep.

Tuesday morning, made it through the night!

Her fancy new bookshelf and flower picture.

Showing off the big girl bed.

I think she is happy!!

Showing off her new curtains, which would not be up without the invaluable help of Wawa and Papaw.