Samples Family Blog

Testing the Juicer

2012-01-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

Finished = Beets, parsley, spinach, apples, lemon and ginger

First 2 Spelling Tests

2012-01-17T15:20:00.000-08:00

My Amazing Jackson

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T19:42:00.000-08:00

#24

Forgot to take a picture of the Elf

Book was The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore

But here are some Xmas Eve Highlights. And El Toro Bravo messing

up my order isn't one of them

We got a Herrick Apperance!!!!

We got a Family iPad score.

Jackson hogs it all the time

Dec 21st - 22nd - 23rd

2011-12-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

#21

The Nutcracker by Gabby Goldstock

#22
The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup

#23
Snow Day Snow Play! by Jenne Abramowitz

Here's to the CREW

2011-12-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

All I Can Say is our Kids are AMAZING

18th & 19th Silly Elf

2011-12-19T17:25:00.000-08:00

#18

Can You See What I See Christmas

By Walter Wick

#19

Hurry Santa! By Julie Sykes

Really Elf that's not sanitary :)

Early Christmas

2011-12-18T17:14:00.000-08:00

I know i know we're bad but we're leaving to Mammoth

the boy wouldn't be able to play with their skateboards.

So we gave it to them early. Merry Christmas

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

2011-12-17T14:11:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the photos that our friend Brent Futagaki took (909-229-2632)

I played with the colors and treaked them so here you go!!

Why I think Jackson's Teacher is the BEST

2011-12-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

I know everyone has there opinions about teachers, so here is mine.

Jackson has the best teacher in the world she is kind, creative and she wears Toms.

Today was his last day before Winter Break and this little beauty was gift wrapped

in his backpack. We got home and he ripped off his backpack and said open this

mom its a surprise. I was in shock this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Thank you Mrs. Messner for being someone to look up to

and for nurturing my sons creative mind.

Oh yeah she also gave us/them fluffy socks the day before!

16th & 17th Day of Christmas

2011-12-16T13:52:00.001-08:00

#16

My Christmas Scratch & Sniff Book

#17
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

I will post some more pictures of this book, its illustrations are amazing!
It was done by the same person who's done the Lemony Snicket books

13th - 14th - 15th

2011-12-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

#13

How the Grinch Stole Christmas By Dr. Seuss

#14

Christmas Mice By Richard Scarry

#15

Snowy Winter Day

By Estelle Feldman

Who is that PiNK Flash

2011-12-14T11:12:00.000-08:00

Oh YES the Cosy is done and Alex is in love... For about two weeks

Alexander has been calling and asking Grandma if she's done

with the pink cosy. We were at Joanne's picking out yarn for hats when

Alex said grandma will you make me a cosy with this, holding

up bright pink yarn. So today it was delivered!

It turned our beautifully. I think I'll call it Cotton Candy Pink...

XOXO

Mastering Red Words

2011-12-14T07:36:00.000-08:00

Oh yes we have mastered the Red words and are moving on to Orange.

Jackson is sounding out words and reading a little bit on his own.

I'm still in shock of how their brains absorb so much within a small time frame.

I can't wait to buy him a nook :) ok maybe not yet but I love sitting in my bed reading

and looking over and seeing him doing the same thing.

The apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree

I need to get a picture of Me, Jackson, Grandma Debbie, and Aunt Katie

Now there's a reading crew.

Mountain's for Christmas

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

The chains are packed and we're headed to Mammoth for Christmas...

The boys are so excited we just got some of our winter clothes out and checking

to see what to bring. Hopeful that Alex will like the snow this time lol

Threw in Jackson with Antlers for a little Christmas cheer

Counting 11 & 12

2011-12-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

#11

Richard Scarry's Santa Needs Help!

#12

Santa's Stocking

(this one is a picture book for the $1 section at target)

The elf is in our Gingerbread house that my friend Kathy made for us.

Alex thinks he's going to eat it ;(

Our Tree - Awww I love it

2011-12-10T11:30:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!

Look out for The Samples Xmas Card

Take a look at what he's been doing

2011-12-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

Snowball Fight By Jimmy Fallon

#8
Merry Christmas, Amelia Bedelia By Peggie Parish

The Biggest, Best Snowman

By Margery Cuyler

#10

If you take a Mouse to the Movies

By Laura Numeroff

Christmas Traditions to Remember

2011-12-07T18:02:00.001-08:00

So when I was little it wasn't Christmas without staying at the Westin

and going to see their giant tree with Grandma. We would order room service and

eat on the bed, then go downstairs for Shirley Temples and dessert. So this year

Grandma thought the boys were ready for this tradition. We didn't stay with them overnight

we didn't think August would want to share his bed with the Samples Clan just yet.

But we had dinner in the room then we went downstairs for apple juice and ice cream.

Gram and Jackson played War which Grandma killed at and Jackson was a

little sad but all in all it was a great night

:) So here's to carrying on tradition.

My son amazes me everyday!

2011-12-07T17:37:00.001-08:00

While doing our homework today. Jackson was asked to write and sound

out a sentence using the word "to". This is what he did by himself, this boy amazes me.

Countdown Continued

2011-12-06T19:01:00.001-08:00

Our Book was The Christmas Blizzard, By Helen Ketteman

The Christmas Crocodile, By Bonny Becker

Duck & Goose It's time for Christmas! By Tad Hills

Lets Count it Down Boys 3 2 1

2011-12-03T08:33:00.001-08:00

Happy December 1st, 2011

Our book was The Night Before the Night Before Christmas By Natasha Wing

December 2nd, 2011

Our book was Bear Stays Up by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

December 3rd, 2011

Our book was Huggly's Christmas By Tedd Arnold

Keeping up the good work!

My plan is in the end to make a Christmas photo book with

all these picture for the boys to look at and have all year.

- Santa Shannon

Happy December 1st. Lets Rock & Roll

2011-12-01T08:11:00.001-08:00

Ok lets start all those fun Christmas Countdowns,
This year the Samples family is trying out a couple of new things
and the ever entertaining old things also.

The Elf has been at our house for about a week checking on the crazy boys.
"A" is very aware that he is watching and is a little leery of him.
But "Jk" likes him, so of course little brother trusts it.

So here is where he decided to perch on December 1st.

(Google or Search Pintrest for really cute ideas on where to put him)

We're also doing a Christmas Story Countdown I wrapped 25 books on things
like snow and Christmas themed to have "A" open and read to the boys
(This also added to the 20 min of reading for "Jk's" School.) Joe got a little
excited this morning and let the boys open everything this morning so we will be
doing this one at night when its time for bed.

I found these book at the library book store for $.25 and also just wrapped
ones from around the house. Next year I think I'll get more hard back classics
and store them with the Xmas decorations.

So for years now I've wanted the Potter Barn Kids Christmas Tree Advent
countdown but just couldn't purchase it for $79 bucks really come on Pottery Barn.
So last year I made one but it didn't get finished in time,
So here it is its not as fancy as theirs but its made with love by me.

Something Special for "Jk" we got him the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar
so everyday he gets to open and make a small Lego. Its was a little pricey $30 but he's really
excited and loves building things with Grandma & Daddy, so will see if it sticks for years to come.

Last But Not Least

The Advent Coloring book

I purchased this three year ago when it was just "Jk" its really easy and fun
to do with little one's. So I printed two one for each of the boys
but its really for "A" and me to do together.

So there you go I'll let you know how it goes and which one's
are just silly and the one's that you can see you
kids doing with there kid's someday.

Merry Christmas from The Samples

Adopt A Family This Christmas

2011-11-22T08:07:00.001-08:00

So the boys are at an age that we can start traditions and they understand what they mean, and how Christmas should be about giving and not just the receiving.

So this Christmas one thing we're adding is The Samples are Adopting a Family. With the help of Share Our Selves we have signed up to provide a Christmas Dinner and two gifts to each child in the family. If you want to give this holiday but your busy and can't signup you can donate old toys, book, food or money and we will hand that over to help this amazing project. (Below is the link to the website) Also to add these are children from our community they are families with children recommended by Costa Mesa and Santa Ana Schools. For me it brings it closer to home that there are hungry children living in our community and going to school with our children. Love you all!!!

http://www.shareourselves.org/events/

Merry Christmas from Us

Palm Springs with the Boys

2011-08-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

Alex Lounging in the Pool!

Jackson Jumping in the pool

Alexander jumping too!!

Cherrio Explosion

2011-07-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

So I like to think Jackson was the perfect baby with no problems but I think I just blocked them out.

Here is Jackson with A cherrio explosion. This is what Alexander does every morning.

Can't wait till he can vaccum the floor.