Sam's birthday...

Sam's birthday was May 21, and he had a Superhero-themed party.  If we're being really specific, he had an "Avengers" birthday party.  Lately, Sam has gotten very specific with his superheroes.  I guess 5 is when all that kicks in.

I tried not to get too carried away, so I hit up the Dollar Tree and used my at home printer for the majority of my decorations.  I did, however, lose my mind and decide to make my own favors.  I had already made Sam a cape out of red satin last year.  I made felt capes in blue for the boys, and I made hot pink ones for the girls.  By using felt, all I had to sew was the lightening bolts and the velcro.  No hemming, nothing.  It was fairly easy, just time-consuming.  Next time I'll start earlier than 2 weeks before a party.

 I did make a photo-op background using a plastic table cloth from the DT, posterboard, and printables.

 Super-Sam 

 Super-family

 Caped crusader

 Blowing out his candles.

A teensy bit disappointed in his cake.  For as much as you pay for a boutique cake, I think there should be a little more effort.  Call me crazy.

He had a great day.  So did we. 

Sam's graduation...(insert sad face)

Sam had a graduation ceremony at the end of the school year, and it was definitely bittersweet.  He has been at his school since he was 1, starting in MMO and then continuing through Pre-k.  Seeing all those little people who he has been with since he was a baby was slightly overwhelming.  We will miss his teachers next year, but I will still get to see them since Alex will be starting there for 2 days a week.  (Of course, that's if I can get him to stay without me.  Alex screams his head off the entire time he's in the nursery at church.  He threw up this past Sunday because he was so upset. Seriously.  Every bit of his breakfast on the floor.)

His teachers cried.  I cried.  Anthony cried.  We start our next adventure at a whole new school in the fall.

Receiving his certificate.  As usual, he needed a haircut.  Mom fail. 

 His BFF.  She'll head to another school next year.  :(

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex was sad Sam graduated, too.

Advertising works...

Sam is allowed to watch cartoons when he wakes up in the mornings.  This practice probably isn't the best, but it helps us get dressed without having him everywhere.  He has now fully mastered the remote--also known as the "John Brown It" because when Anthony's grandfather lost the remote, he "couldn't find the John Brown thing."  Love it.

Anyway, Sam has not only mastered the remote, but he's also memorized which channels have his beloved cartoons.  One of the channels broadcasts commercials/infomercials that SERIOUSLY target kids.  Anthony walked into the den the other day, and this is what went down.

"Dad! Dad! Look!  You can buy that firetruck t-shirt on custommadetshirts.com."

"I see, Sam."

"No, Dad! You don't understand.  You can order 1 t-shirt or THOUSANDS of tshirts on custommadetshirts.com."

The power of advertising is truly amazing.

T-ball season '13

Well, he's not Jackie Robinson yet, but the Samster has made huge strides this year.  He truly has a good time, and he is really starting to understand the mechanics of baseball.  I've got to admit--give me a baseball game ANY DAY over soccer.  (Sorry soccer-lovers.)  I don't dread getting up and going to a baseball field...soccer is another matter.  Anyway, t-ball is almost over for us.  Truth be told, Sam will probably miss his post-game treat more than anything.

So, you only get to advance one base at a time...unless you bat last.  Sam anchors the batting order, so he gets to hit a "homerun" every time.  At least that's what I tell him.  One skill we've got to work on is running the second he makes contact with the ball.  That kid would walk to first if he could.  I think he's worried about his helmet coming off.  Geez.  

Little bro usually chills out in his stroller while Sam plays.  If I let Alex out, he wants to climb everywhere in sight.  Stairs, bleachers, you name it.  He already has one chipped tooth.  I'd rather not have another one.    

 

What happens if there's a mud puddle in the middle of the field?  

You stand in it.  

 

Notice how we're maroon again?  I can't imagine how that happened.  

Beach trip #1...

Yep, I said #1.  That's because we've got another trip lined up for this month, not to mention our annual trip to Pointe Clear.

Unfortunately, Anthony couldn't go with us on this trip, which was sad for me, but Alex, Sam, and I trucked it on down to Fort Morgan and hung out with my parents, my youngest brother, and his girlfriend.  Blake has been living and working in Alaska (yes, Alaska) for over a year now, so trips home for him are few.

It was a good time, and Sam loves being out on the beach.  LOVES it.  And Alex certainly wasn't opposed to it.  He was completely intrigued by the sand.  What he didn't understand was why his thumb-sucking didn't work out when his hands were covered in sand.  Can you say gross?

We spent lots of time on the sand, flew kites, played mini-golf, and even got in a round of bocce ball.  So now I'm going to do what I always do and inundate you with pictures.

 A little kite flying 

 And as usual, little brother wants to get in the middle of things

 

 

 

 

 I realize that most of these pictures look the same, but I couldn't decide which ones I liked best.  

My "little brother" and I.  He had just been on a run with his girlfriend.  I had been sitting on the beach reading a magazine.  And eating peanuts.  I've left out all pictures of his gal because I don't know how she'd feel about her face plastered all over my blog.  

Excuse my ridiculous, wind-blown hair.  

 

 Yep, that sandy thumb isn't working for the A-train.