Samantha: 24 Months, Week 3

On Tuesday this week, the day after Memorial Day, we made plans to go to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.  Ema, Papa, and Alaina were going to join us there as well.  We left as soon as I got done working at school, cleaning up and packing up my classroom.  We ate dinner at a Noodles and Company before the game and got mac and cheese, but Samantha wasn't even interested in eating her favorite food in the world because she was too excited about going to the baseball game.  She had been talking about this for over a week now and was really looking forward to it.

We had great seats in the front row right on the third base line.  We got to watch the baseball players laying on the grass stretching and warming up (one of Samantha's favorite things for some reason).  The girls were so cute together watching the players, taking in all the sights and sounds around them, dancing, and sitting on the seats like big girls.

A highlight for Samantha was meeting Rowdie, the mascot, or as Samantha called him, Flynn Rowdie.  (We think she added the Flynn part onto his name because of Flynn Rider from the movie Rapunzel, which we watched recently together as a family.)  He is a big red bear, and Samantha was very excited every time she got to see him walk by.  At the beginning of the game, one of the players gave Samantha a baseball they were using to practice, so once they made the announcement that Rowdie was going to give autographs, we figured Samantha might enjoy having Flynn Rowdie sign her baseball.  I took her up to the table, and while we were walking there, I explained to her that she will give her ball to Rowdie,  she will ask for his autograph, he'll sign it, and then he'll give the ball back to her.  We practiced asking, "Can I have an autograph, please?"  I wasn't totally sure if she would be too nervous to approach him once we actually got there, but she was very brave.  She walked right up to Rowdie, and in a quiet little voice, asked "autograph please?"  He signed it and gave it back to her.  He held out his hand for a high five and she willingly gave him.  She was SO excited and proud of her ball that she didn't want to let it go or put it down.  For days and days after the baseball game, she talked about Flynn Rowdie and how fun it would be if he could come to our house to play.

I think Samantha enjoyed her first baseball game as a walking, talking toddler.  We can't wait to bring her back again.

Wednesday, I spent another day at school, finishing packing up my classroom, cleaning up, and checking things off my end of the year check out list.  It was weird packing everything up, knowing that I would not be returning next year, knowing that, if everything goes according to our plans, I would not be returning to teach until all our kids are in school.  I got a little sentimental.  I put a lot of work into planning, preparing, and implementing the curriculum at Lighthouse, and now I am just packing all my work into brown cardboard boxes.  However, I am thrilled about the opportunity to stay home with Samantha, and she had the greatest reaction when I came home that evening.  I stayed a little later than normal to get the last few things done in my classroom so that Samantha wouldn't have to go back the the babysitter on Thursday.  When I walked in the door, Samantha came running up to me from the living room shouting, "Stay home with you!"  It just made my day and made me so excited for my first official day as a stay at home mom.

Later that evening, we got out one of Samantha's birthday presents from Ema and Papa, her Little Tikes basketball hoop and ball.  I figured out how to put it together, and Samantha figured out how to use it right away.  She really likes to play basketball with this and pretend she is bouncing the ball.

On Thursday, we had such a relaxed morning together.  We didn't have anywhere to be until ten o'clock when I had to meet Mr. Wilson at school to get my check out paperwork completed.  Samantha had a fun time playing in my classroom and trying to drink out of the water fountains.  Since this was going to be my last day, I decided to eat with my teacher friends one last time, and of course, took Samantha with me.  Before lunch, we stopped by the recylcing center.  I have felt convicted lately about throwing out all these items that can be recycled, so I decided that now that I'm home and have more time on my hands, I have no excuse but to recycle as much as I can.  Samantha was really interested in the recycling center and loved helping me throw our cans, paper, and plastic in the different bins.  We ate lunch at Wendy's with my teacher friends, and Samantha did so well sitting in the high chair eating while we talked for quite a while.  I'm so glad that she is well behaved enough that we can do things like that with her.  They enjoyed being around her as well and were amazed at how much she was talking.

On Friday, we had to take Roscoe to the vet to get shots and his annual check up.  Samantha was very curious about Roscoe being at the doctor and was worried when they took him out of the room to draw his blood.  She listened and behaved very well as we waited patiently for the doctor to check Roscoe's health.  After the vet, we dropped Roscoe off at home and went to the Banneker Center for some free play time.  Samantha enjoys herself there, although on this particular day I think she was just tired, as she just sat in the little car and watched kids play around her.  I always feel awkward going to the Banneker Center by myself because it seems like all the other moms go there and meet up with someone, so I feel strange sitting there by myself.  However, Samantha always has a good time, so it's worth it.

Friday afternoon, after Samantha woke up from her nap, I decided to use a tip from my friend Mindy and make sidewalk chalk paint.  It's just cornstarch, water, and food coloring.  Then the kids can use paint brushes to pain the sidewalk in bright colors without getting their hands dirty from chalk.  Samantha had a wonderful time painting the front sidewalk as we waited for Daddy to come home from campus.

After Daddy got home from work, we decided that Friday night was calling for a pizza night, so we went out to our favorite pizza place.  After eating pizza, we went grocery shopping and took this crazy picture of Samantha in the cart.  Her hair was pulled up earlier in the day, but she had taken it out, hence the crazy, poofy hair.

Saturday was a colder, rainy day, but we were enjoying the break in the heat and loved having our windows and patio door open.  We love this early time of summer when it warms up during the day and cools off so nicely at night.  We took the picture below because it reminded us of a picture we took back when Samantha was a little baby, and they were both looking out the window.  I thought it would be fun to end this blog post with that comparison picture.

Here is Samantha at 1 Month Old.

Here is Samantha at 24 Months Old.