"I'm Bigger Now Mom" said by Samantha McKnight on Nov. 9, 2008

Sam woke up on her actual birthday (November 9th) and as I sang to her, she said "I'm bigger now mom....look mom....I'm bigger now!" She thinks she magically got bigger overnight. It was so cute! We got up early and went to church and Sunday School and then we went to Omaha to the mall and Samantha and Alden got to "Build-A-Bear" for Sam's birthday. Alden chose the Zebra and Sam chose the penguin. Samantha named hers "Chilly" and Alden named his "Stripes." We did a little more shopping and then headed home because it had been a long weekend full of Birthdays and Huskers.

Sam's Birthday Party

We celebrated Sam's 3rd Birthday with family and friends on Friday, November 7th at Doug's parent's house. Samantha had a wonderful party! It was a Cinderella themed party, so I had my friend Linda make Sam's cake as a doll. When I told her I needed more cake, she decided to make 4 more little dolls to go with it! They were so neat and Sam though she was pretty special! Sam's friend Alexa came to the party and they got to share the orange little doll for their cake...and they ate it all! (Well, Alden ate 1/4 of it.)

Sam's friend Alexa helped her open the gifts. Thankgoodness for her help, because as slow as Sam is at unwrapping gifts, we might all still be there! Sam got dress-up clothes from Doug and I; puzzles, a dress, and money for college from Grandma & Grandpa McKnight; Little People Birthday set, Remote control My Little Pony, Clothes, and money for college from Nebraska City Grandma & Grandpa; My Little Pony and Money for college from Great-Grandma & Grandpa McKnight; Stuffed Owl and storybook and a Savings Bond from Great-Grandma & Granddad Holman; Beginner French Flash Cards and Money for a future trip from Auntie Debra and Uncle Greg; Tinker Bell Dolly from Aunt Jodi & Jamie; and Candyland and Ice Cream Parlor Playdough Set from Alexa and her mom Brianna. Alden gave her a "Barbie for President" doll and a Doctor set (mainly because he's tired of getting a chicken leg stuck up his nose or in his ear when Sam wants to play doctor -- I'm hoping this will be a little safer for him!).

Falling Leaves

Last Wednesday, Sam, Alden, & I went down to Rylander Park and played in the leaves. It was the last warm and dry day we were supposed to have for a while, so we took advantage of it! As soon as naps were over, we drove down to the park. We walked straight to the ball field area because I knew that's where the most leaves would be and I was right! Samantha started picking up leaves right away and I tried to stand Alden up next to her for a picture, but he sat right down and started crawling in the leaves! We covered Alden's legs up in leaves and would kick his feet and giggle. Then, I had Sam sit down and I covered her up too, but she didn't like it and got up right away. We walked around a little more and we were going to go up in the woods to the trail, but it was getting dark and there were lots of werid sounds that Sam didn't like too much. Instead, we walked back to the playground and Sam and Alden rode on the swings for awhile and Sam went down the slide a couple of times. It started to get pretty dark at about 5:15pm, so I convinced Sam it was time to go. She started pushing the stroller back ot the van, and it started sprinkling a little bit and then all of the sudden it stared pouring! And it was a very cold/hard rain, so we started running and Sam ran as fast as her little legs would carry her! When we finally got back to the van, she was freaking out because she got really wet.

Richardson Fall Birthdays

We celebrated Fall Birthdays on my mom's side of the family on Saturday, November 1 in Nebraska City at my parent's new house. It was a packed house as many family members came. The Huskers lost badly to Oklahoma that night too. Birthdays that were celebrated included: Brice, Katie, Matthew, Jacob, Samantha, LJ, and Alden. Samantha played with Katie the whole time and LJ and Alden kind of just stared at each other (LJ & Alden are about 3 weeks apart in age). Alden got a Little People Airport from his great aunts/uncles and Samantha got a Barbie Car.

Halloween

Halloween was a very fun day for the kids. We started out at the Community Center (where I work out) and they had them parade around the Community Center at 10:00am and trick-or-treat to all the different classes. It was fun for Sam because all of her friends were dressed up too! Her friend Kasey was a cheerleader and Justin was a Spiderman. Alden had fun getting carried around by his favorite daycare provider, Amanda, who was dressed up like a baby. He wanted nothing to do with me, so I just took pictures and had fun watching them! After that, we went back to the house and I took a shower and we headed to Nebraska City to see "Nebraska City" grandma and papa and to trick-or-treat at the mall. Great-Grandma Farmer was also there, so that was neat! Sam got the new Tinkerbell movie and a Harley Davidson shirt from grandma and papa and Alden got a toy with a pig in a bathtub (a very LOUD toy) and a Harley Davidson outfit from them too!

Next, it was time to head back to Plattsmouth and go to Grandma McKnight's house. She had books and sugar cookies for the kids. Alden ate his 1st Sugar Cookie, and he loved it! Auntie Debra met us out there and gave the kids books about Thanksgiving. We left there to stop at the Dental office and show all the girls and Papa McKnight their outfits. They got stickers from RaeLynn, who had her face painted like a Dalmation dog, and I'm pretty sure Sam was afraid of her and Alden didn't know what to think!

From there, we went downtown to be apart of the parade and to trick-or-treat at the businesses. Debra met us downtown and helped with the kids and Doug's last patient for the day canceled, so he showed up after the parade and helped Sam trick-or-treat too. Next, we went to the Methodist Church where the youth group was putting on a fun house. Sam played some games and we saw her friends Betsy & Maggie from Sunday School who were dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters.

After supper, Doug and Debra took Sam & Alden to Great-Grandma & Grandma Holman's house and Great-Grandma & Grandpa McKnight's house for trick-or-treating and a few other houses around town. I stayed home to pass out toothbrushes and candy to kids. I think Sam really enjoyed this Halloween, afterall, she had her Cinderella dress on from 8am to 8pm!!