Happy New Year!

Our New Year's plans started out with us staying at home, me going to get some coffee with a friend. Things turned out entirely different though! Our coffee shop closed early, so those plans went south. We then were content on staying home. So what did we really do? Went bowling with Britney and Bryleigh and rang in the new year with sparkling grape juice! This was Samir's first time bowling. It was hard to tell what he liked more, the video games, the lights, the people, the music or the bowling! We didn't leave until 9:30, so I thought for sure Samir would be tired....guess again! He stayed up until 12:20!! Obviously this won't happen often, so it was a special treat.

 Bowling with Daddy.....

Dancing....

 

Snow!!!

Yes folks, it is snowing in Arkansas in December! Large flakes and everything! Samir and Bryleigh got out in the snow together. Samir seemed to really enjoy himself and kept giggling. He even dished out a few snowballs to Bryleigh!

New blog

I recently found this new blog and LOVE it! You'll like it too, especially if you're a mom. Basically, this mom makes super cute lunches for her son and posts them on her blog. I'm always struggling to think of new lunches for Samir and this blog is a fountain of inspiration!

http://wendolonia.com/blog/

Tis the Season

Last weekend, we went to Creekmore Park and rode the train to look at Christmas lights. It was SO cold, but to see Samir smile and say "pretty lights" was totally worth it!

Mom, me and Samir

Our house is decked out for Christmas. Now if only I could say it was completely clean and ready for Friday! Oh well, it will get done!

Quite possibly my favorite part of the decor this year.....

Home Cookin'

Samir loves being in the kitchen and helping cook. I've let him stir and decorate cookies, but I decided to try homemade pizza with him recently. He did a wonderful job and the pizza was delicious! Our turkey pepperoni pizza....

And our chicken veggie pizza....

Oh, the holidays!

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Barling at Joe and Christie's house. There is nothing like good food and great family! Grandma Bertha made the turkey as usual and I brought the deviled eggs and some yummy pumpkin cheesecake. Christie and her family brought all the other sides.

Check out the turkey shirt I made for Samir!

That weekend we went to Paris to stay with mom. Paris had their annual lighting ceremony followed by a Christmas parade. Samir didn't decide he liked the parade until it was almost over!

We also recently went to Holiday Market here in Fort Smith. I wasn't as impressed with the shopping as much as I was last year, but the children's area had a lot more to do. Samir got a snack, his face painted, saw a concert and saw Santa. He refused to sit on Santa's lap, so I had to be in our picture. I guess that jolly old guy isn't amusing at his age!

Mom and I took Samir to see Alice in Wonderland. It was performed musical style, with puppets that were nine feet tall! We enjoyed it, but once again, the puppets scared Samir.

Samir's 18 month check up went well. He weighs in at 24 pounds 2 ounces and is 33 1/2 inches tall....growing SO quickly!