Swine flu?

Just picked Sam up from school. Temp was 101.7 & she says she feels "tired and slow." She is snuggled in her favorite quilt on the couch sipping some OJ & watching Hannah Montana. Waiting on a call back from the ped. Ugh!

Flower Girl

Yesterday was our friend Angie's wedding. Samantha was lucky enough to be the flower girl. She was thrilled to get her hair curled and to finally get to wear the pretty dress. It was a beautiful day for a wedding.



Sam did get a little bored waiting for the other's to get ready.



Walking down the aisle. Despite the rotten grin, she got a little shy and wanted to walk with the matron of honor.

She cut loose at the reception and danced the night away.

At some point she kicked off her shoes because "the big girls did." We nearly had to drag her off the dance floor to go home. She was asleep before we got out of town.

Thanks to Angie for allowing Samantha to have this opportunity. Angie and Sam have an unfortunate special bond - both have lost big brothers to cancer. It was good for Samantha to see that you can lose your brother, but still get to grow up, get married and have fun.

10-03-09

Last night Sam & I went shopping. We headed to Kohl's with our coupon and intent to get a new outfit for school pictures and a new winter coat that she needed this morning for ice skating. On the way to the store, Sam started talking about Cameron. She kept saying how much she misses him, how she wishes he was still here so we could buy him a new winter coat too. Then she wondered if he was cold, if he could run & play now and if he gets to see grandma. Broke my heart to hear her suffering.

We've had a very busy Saturday. Today started with Samantha's first ice skating lesson of the season. She was very excited to go - she woke up a little after 7 am asking if it was time to leave yet. She then had 4 clothing changes because her pants were too itchy, too tight, too loose. Finally, she decided on something.

After skating, we headed to Walmart to buy her Halloween costume. Shockingly, she wants to be Hannah Montana! The trick now will be keeping her from losing the pieces before trick or treat.

Next was cousin Emily's birthday party at the skating rink.

After the party, we headed to the Fall Festival at the church. We started with Sam's first hayride.

Then pumpkin painting.

Finally, the bounce house.

We're home now and she is playing with Marley. Tonight we're planning an encore of Monsters vs. Aliens & some popcorn.

Daisy Scouts

Yesterday Samantha had her first Daisy Scouts meeting. There were 15 kindergarten and 1st grade girls there - all very excited. (I am glad I am not the troop leader.) They had a garden party where they learned table manners and did some crafts. Much different from our boy scout experiences where we learned about bugs, knots and fishing. Between ice skating lessons, daisy scouts, being a flower girl and birthday parties, we are in for a busy fall.

Cloudy

with a chance of meatballs! I took Sam to the theater to see it this weekend. We opted out of the 3-D version as they tend to be too intense for her. It was little scary for her towards the end, but overall she loved it. Of course, she loves every movie that we go to see. She loves the experience of going to the theater. She loves the popcorn (& sometimes a hot dog too!) There are several movies coming up that are on her list - especially The Princess and the Frog and Alvin & the Chipmunks 2 - both due out in December.

We also went to the library yesterday. Sam was able to get her very own library card. She is so proud to have it. She has stashed it away in her little purple purse.

Now, for a quiet evening at home.
Lori

Days like today

I really miss my mom.

Sam woke up feeling bad. She had a low-grade temp and digestive problems. My mom would not have blinked an eye at providing childcare. She would have thrown on her clothes, jumped in her car and been here in just a few minutes so I wouldn't be late for work. Instead, I had to scramble to find help. I can't believe it has almost been a year.

Back from Hilton Head

Thanks to the kindness of friends, we had a wonderful long weekend on Hilton Head Island. Sam was so excited to be at the ocean again - this is her 4th trip to the 4th different beach. My plan is to take her to as many different beaches along the eastern coast as possible. Because of the holiday, she only missed one day of school.

I can't believe she tried the raft again after her disasterous ride in Florida.

She has a drawer full of bathing suits, but only wants to wear this one. Next year, I won't make the mistake of over-buying. Well, I probably will but maybe she will agree to wear different ones so all of the pictures don't look the same.

Off to finish unpacking & to do some laundry. She is off to school tomorrow while I plan to spend the day relaxing & have lunch with my dad.