Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

On Thursday October 16th Samantha's class went on a field trip to a pumpkin patch. We went to Countryside Landscaping which is only a mile or two from her school. And I should clarify...it wasn't as much of a pumpkin patch as it was a bunch of pumpkins scattered in a field, but it was still a fun day! =)

We had a hayride to their "patch"...got lost in a maze...and visited a petting zoo! It was a pretty simple field trip, but sometimes those are the best kind!

Spooky Fun!

Samantha always wants to help in the kitchen. I believe she will be the mom who makes pies and cookies for dessert all the time....

I bought this gingerbread house kit last year, but with changing jobs (and working both of them at the same time) we didn't get time to use it. I found it pushed to the back of the pantry, and almost threw it away (with the thought that it was a year old and probably yucky)...but my new found thriftiness just would not allow it. I figured the fun is making it, and no one would want to eat it anyways...so why not? So we had an afternoon of "baking" fun.

**I forgot that Matthew will eat virtually anything (especially sweets) so he tried it almost immediately when he got home. And he said it tasted just fine. We are taking his word for it, and won't be partaking! :)

A Rootin' Tootin Good Time!

Usually Samantha has no problem deciding what she wants...For example: What should we have for dinner tonight? A: "Mac and Cheese!" What do you want to wear today? A: "A dress!" What would you like for a snack?? A: "Reese's!" But for some reason she had a tough time deciding what theme to have for her party. She was wrestling between Cowgirl and Fancy Nancy. (Fancy Nancy is a character from a book) She went back and forth for awhile before finally choosing cowgirl (she decided to be Fancy Nancy for Halloween)...
I had a lot of fun planning this party! Even though I've only been out of the classroom for a year I have missed being creative and making fun activities for children, so this was a treat for me too!
I had a tough time finding invitations which made me be even more creative, and make them. She decided who to invite, and was really looking forward to the party!!! We ate "traditional" cowgirl foods like hot dogs and beans...played a few western games...and of course there was cake and presents! :)



This was my first attempt at making a cake. I was so nervous about how it would turn out! I finally had to let go of my "Monica ways" and just make it!!! (I secretly had a plan of running to Tysen's to pick one up if it looked completely crazy!) It was actually a lot of fun making it, and I am hoping to start making them for all of her birthdays!

She received many wonderful gifts and she wanted to use them all almost immediately! All of her friends went home with a bandanna full of goodies that all cowgirls enjoy...

Cowgirl Activities

Panning for gold...Boot pinata....decorating vests...target practice....

Panning for gold

The whole day I kept saying I didn't plan on having another party next year...but...I'm sure I will! They are just too much fun, and she will only be little once!

Happy Birthday Samantha Grace!

My first thought this morning was how fast the last four years have FLOWN by!!! I literally was shaking my head in disbelief at the fact that our baby is now 4!!!
She has been such a blessing to our lives, and we are so grateful that God gave us such a precious gift 4 years ago today!