Baking with BeBe

My mom (BeBe) and grandmother (Grandmommie) are here for the weekend. We have already enjoyed an excursion to the park this morning and were busy this afternoon cooking and cleaning around the house. Samuel was so excited about our visitors that he didn't take a nap, so we let him help us with out task!

He was excited to see the box of pumpkin "fuffin" (muffin) mix on the counter this morning, so he was happy to help pour, measure and stir the mixture. He loves to cook in his cooking class, but really hasn't been able to help me in the kitchen, so maybe this will be a start to a new activity for the two of us!

Checking out the measuring cup

Big Smiles

filling the muffin tin

oops, we got a little on our measuring cup

getting a true taste test

BeBe even taught Samuel how to lick the spoon!

As Samuel would say "fuffin nummy" (translation muffin yummy)

Samuel's New Ball Pit

Thanks to my great and creative friend, Stephanie, I have found a great way to use or kiddie pool in the "off season". Samuel spent the evening with his buddy Oliver the other night while Ryan and I went on a much needed date! When we got back she said that Samuel LOVED the ball pit she had made! All she did was fill up a kiddie pool with balls. Well fortunately (I guess) I had both at home!

My wonderful mother bought Samuel a bag of 150 balls (yes, I said 150) when she stayed with him in February. Needless to say that bag of balls has been sitting nicely tucked away in the closet since she left! Samuel found it a few weeks ago, and I have spent many an afternoon picking up all 150 of those balls (I did have a little helper that picked up maybe 5 or 6).

Well this afternoon we had LOTS of fun dumping out the balls and jumping, falling, "swimming, and throwing the balls in our new ball pit. I can't believe I am saying this, but the pit is a bit empty, so I am thinking about getting another bag! It's all in the name of fun, right!?

I thought this totally captured the essence of Samuel's fall (blurry and all!)

The Pumpkin Church

We met up with some friends today for some fun at the Pumpkin Church. We went last year and it was fun and CRAZY. Well, I can't say it was much different this time around! We tried hard to get a picture of all the kids, but it wasn't the greatest attempt! Samuel had a great time climbing on the pumpkins and saying "cheese" with every move, though often he wouldn't look at the camera and smile! Nonetheless, fun was had by all!!!

Another photo filled post!

Isn't she just beautiful! And LOVES to pose for the camera!

LK and Samuel stopping their climbing to take a picture! Can't believe they are actually both smiling!

Samuel and Charlotte love each other and push each others buttons ALL THE TIME! Sweet Char was just laying on the ground and Samuel felt it was a good time for a tackle! Charlotte just giggled each time he plopped down on her!

Telling me with great enthusiasm that he is sitting on PUNKINS!!!

Samuel and Charlotte chased each other all over the pumpkins!

The big kids! I loved this picture because of how excited Charlotte was!

The only picture of Samuel and I together. Obviously he was ready to move on to the next pile of pumpkins!

Playing Outside

Warning, this is a picture heavy post...mainly because I couldn't decide which ones to weed out...and also for the sake of the grandparents!!!

We have been spending almost every evening in our front yard for the past couple weeks! The weather is LOVELY and Samuel is always asking "the car the road, mommy?" Meaning he wants to play with the cozy coup! So we get our shoes on every night after dinner and play until it is Samuel's bedtime! It has been a great way to be outside, say hello to the neighbors, and for Samuel to get the rest of his energy out! Ryan and Samuel run up and down the street in the coup, Samuel pushes it up the driveway to me and I push him back down to Ryan in the road. He is AWESOME at getting out of the road immediately when he hears a car, I think we passed in putting the fear of God in him when he sees a car in the road, he steers clear, THANK GOODNESS!!!

The boys also pulled out the frisbee and football last night. Samuel LOVED watching Ryan punt the ball "really high up" again and again. Samuel is quite the frisbee expert, I'd almost say he can throw better than I can (though that's not saying too much, but come on-he's 2).

I am so very thankful for my 2 handsome guys and the joy they bring to my life!!!

You can really see the joy in his face as he pushes the car up to the top of the driveway. He will either ask me to push him back down or will just turn the car around and push it himself.

Running to say hi to mommy.

I know this is blurry (I had my shutter speed on auto) but I just love how happy he is!

not sure if Samuel spends more time riding or pushing, but he does love them both equally!

I just can't believe how big he is getting. I feel like he is such the "big" little boy. He really does melt my heart on a daily basis!

Samuel LOVES to go "faster faster" as he says with his arms raised high. The funny thing is that Ryan is often more dizzy than Samuel after each turn!

Samuel is so happy, he squeals with each turn and laughs and giggles as he comes to the ground.

A little tickle after landing never hurt, right?

Asking to go "faster faster again daddy"

He has quite the arm

Watching for the football to come back down after daddy punted it "really high up"

He's certainly got the game face here!

Daddy teaching Samuel how to hold the ball for daddy to kick, I was a little nervous, but I think Samuel was more scared when daddy started to advance!

So they decided to reverse rolls. As you can see, Samuel is much happier about this setup!

Horrible picture of both of us, but proof that I was there too!

Just a Normal Saturday

Since Ryan works on Saturdays Samuel and I get to spend our mornings together. Today we played outside in the crisp fall air and then headed inside for some puzzles and choo choos. We had a great time together, as always! I am loving watching Samuel explore and find new things, and even enjoy the old things too! He really is coming into his own these days, always wanting to do something new.

Putting together his "B C" puzzle. He loves to dump this one out, put a few letters on and then say "Mommy fix it", which means I'm done, you put it away!

Excited that he found the right letter on the first try.

Pushing Thomas around the new track mommy just made.

He just finished saying "oh no, apart mommy" but quickly figured out how to put them back together, and obviously very proud of himself as he said "Samul got it"

Cheesing it up for the camera just before he made the basket!

Throwing the bean bag to mommy for her to throw back. We could do this for about an hour.