Getting Ready

I won't be able to blog for the next several days because we are going to be very busy getting ready to go to Florida. We are going to see Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Vanessa and I finally get to meet Uncle John and see all my cousins. Auntie YaYa will be there too! We are going to have a great week and I am sure I will have lots to share when we get back. Love you all!

Eighth Night of Hanukkah 2007

I can't believe this is the last night. I have really enjoyed Hanukkah this year. I want to know how many days until its Hanukkah again.................

Thank you to all my friends and family that made this holiday so special!

Seventh Night of Hanukkah 2007

I can't believe Hanukkah is almost over! I have had such a good time. I really enjoy watching Daddy light the Hanukkiah and I always laugh when he and Mommy sing the blessings. Tonight I got a new DVD - the Wiggles and decided to watch it right after my bath. I even tucked myself in!

Sixth Night of Hanukkah 2007

Sorry everyone! No pictures or video of the sixth night. We went to visit my friend Noah who just got a baby brother last week and we forgot the camera. Daddy made dinner for everyone. It was delicious! Noah and I had fun playing and Mommy had fun holding the new baby. I fell asleep on the way home in the car and Mommy and Daddy tried to put me into bed without waking up - no chance! I kept them up pretty late that night!

Fifth Night of Hanukkah 2007

The fifth night of Hanukkah was the big night. We had our friends over for dinner. We had briskette and latkes and funnel cake for dessert. There was so much fun and lots of presents. I got a great new book from Eric and Emily.















Marian got me a great train.

Olivier and Ellen got me a Big Bird DVD and a CD that sings song to me, Sammy, using my name. How cool is that!








Daddy got me the biggest present of all - my own jumpy-house! I loved playing in it!

Fourth Night of Hanukkah 2007

Wow! The fourth night of Hanukkah. We are halfway through. It just gets better and better!

Third Night of Hanukkah 2007

On the third night of Hanukkah I got a new DVD and book from my Savta and Saba. I also got puppy headphones from Mommy an Daddy. I really like this Hanukkah stuff. Mommy says it only last for eight nights though. I wonder if I could file for an extension...........

Second Night of Hanukkah 2007

I had more fun tonight. I love watching Daddy light the candles. I got another neat present. It is a dalmatian bank that barks when you put coins in. I could do that for hours!

First Night of Hanukkah 2007

Yesterday Mommy and I were out doing a little last minute shopping at Target. I decided to test my boundaries a little and took off running. Mommy followed me. Well, most of her did. Her foot didn't seem to want to go the same direction and several hours, a doctor's visit, and a few x-rays later, Mommy has a sprained ankle. Not a very auspicious start to the holidays. In my defense, I was wearing my "Hello my name is Trouble" shirt. Not my fault if she can't read labels!

Tonight was a wonderful Hanukkah. After dinner we said the blessings and lit the candles on our Hanukkiah. Then we opened presents. Mommy and Daddy got me a terrific Thomas set. It had two DVDs and Bertie and Thomas trains. Here's the video:



Savta and Saba sent us a wonderful Hanukkiah from Israel. It has spotty dogs.


I like it very much. So do Mommy and Daddy. Happy Hanukkah everyone!

Big Boy Haircut

Today Mommy took me to get my hair cut again. I was a bit wiggly but it came out ok. Mommy says I look like a big boy now. All I know is I got a balloon afterward! Later we had lunch with Grandpa at Jerry's Famous Deli. The corned beef was delicious but all I really wanted were french fries.


After we got home Mommy let me dance to my Wiggles video in my bed. I like dancing there best because it is so bouncy.
Mommy took videos of two of my favorite dances. I know all the dance moves!

Downtown Disney

Yesterday started off like most Tuesdays. Mommy and I went to Bible study and then we came home for lunch and a nap. But when I woke up, Mommy told me we were doing something special. We drove to Anaheim and went to walk around Downtown Disney. I had never been there before. It was amazing. I liked all the different fountains and kept trying to climb into them. As the sun set, it was lit up for the holidays and it was so beautiful.


















Then later that night, Mommy and I made popcorn to watch Dancing With the Stars. I love making popcorn; I am an expert. Watch my video!

Lots To Be Thankful For!

What a terrific Thanksgiving. We started the morning off by going to watch Daddy play in the annual Turkey Bowl. Fortunately he didn't get too hurt. My friend Kitty was there so we went to play at the playground and Mommy got to talk to her friends. Then it was home to get the cooking underway. When Mommy and I were out shopping I found a great hat.
Mommy said I looked so cute in it that she had to get it. I have been wearing it all week. I thought I would wear it while I played the drums so Mommy would have some music to which to cook. Then I got to help make the mash potatoes - which came out fabulous if I do say so myself. All the food was fantastic. Our neighbors, the Melnicks, shared in the cooking and the feast. Auntie Ellen made one of my favorites - corn. I had four helpings. One of which I got myself when Mommy wasn't looking. It all landed on my plate too; I did a very good job! I am thankful for my Mommy and Daddy, our friends, and all the wonderful food. I love Thanksgiving.

Partying at the Park

Sunday my friend Ava turned 5. We all got to go to her birthday party. I had a very good time. I ate lots of cake with raspberries. I really liked the raspberries. Plus I got to run around and explore the park. I kept Mommy and Daddy very busy.

I also continued my quest for the perfect lawn chair.
I liked the cupholders in this one.

Pilgrim Festival

Today I went with my friends to the Pilgrim's Place Annual Festival. We had so much fun! There was so much to see and do. We all had matching pilgrim hats. We had a nice lunch and then played outside. I liked playing peek-a-boo around the tree. We also got to do a neat craft with glue. (Can you believe Mommy actually let me near glue?!) Then we took a ride on the Mayflower boat. We had a wonderful time.

Sammy and the Popcorn Bowl

I love popcorn. I even love the bowl for the popcorn. (Well, I love wearing it anyway!)

Potty Time

Lately I have been letting Mommy and Daddy know when I have a stinky diaper and want to be changed. I have also let Mommy know that I was going to go ahead of time too. So they thought it was time I had my own potty so I could experiment with it and get familiar. Mostly I think it's a funny hat that doesn't quite fit.
I did actually pee-pee in it a few days ago and am now getting interested on sitting on it. Mommy says not to worry, it's early and we'll take it slow.

Halloween Time

The last couple of days have been filled with parties and outings! Saturday afternoon there was a Halloween party at Gymboree. I was a dalmatian again because the costume still fits and I look incredibly cute in it. Everyone wore costumes and we got to play.


There was a great goody bag too; it had bubbles (one of my favorite things).

After that we went back to our congregation because there was our 10th anniversary party. I wanted to help play the piano or the drums but Mommy said maybe when I a older. We had a nice service and a tasty dinner afterwards. I got to run and play with my friends Noah and Kitty.










The next day Mommy and Daddy took me to feed the ducks at our lake. I really enjoy doing that. There were a lot of ducks! Monday we just stayed home and cleaned the house and played.


Tuesday we went to our friend Jane's. Her doggy Darla had puppies a few months ago and they are starting to go to their new homes. She has 3 left and Mommy thought I would enjoy seeing them. I was a little scared at first. The puppies big brother, Junior, was very noisy and scared me a bit. I did warm up and Jane let the puppies out to play. I liked watching them jump around and play with each other.







Finally it was Wednesday and Halloween. I put my costume on again and we went to a big event at Calvary Church. They had a pumpkin patch, a cup cake walk, a petting zoo, games, puppet show, bouncy house, food and music.
I even got my picture taken on a real fire truck. Good thing I was dressed for the occasion. By far my favorite part was the bouncy house. Mommy and Daddy had a hard time getting me out of there. I got to play one of the games to win some candy. I did it my way though. Check out the video. I had a great Halloween!

Sammy Visits the Pumpkin Patch

Today the air finally cleared enough that Mommy allowed me to go outside to play. Even better, she took me to the local pumpkin patch to run around. We could still see the smoke from the fire off in the distance, but I ddin't care. I was out of the house! I hated being cooped up inside this week. Mommy says it was probably for the best since I have had a little cold. I loved the pumpkin patch.

It was so much fun. I loved all the pumpkins and I tried to pick up several. I also found they make excellent seats.

Mommy and I fed the goat. His tongue tickled my hand.

I also got to ride some rides.

I especially liked the mini-merry-go-round. Mommy let me ride it three times.

Before we left, Mommy let me pick out a little pumpkin to take home.

I made sure it had a very good seat on the way home.

Fire Day

Today started out very normally. We watched football, grocery shopped and then got ready to go to birthday party. As we left the house Mommy commented that she could smell the Malibu fire in the air. The Santa Ana winds have blown in for a few days and it is very windy and very warm. As we drove to my friend's house we drove through a neighborhood were we had considered renting a house before choosing the one we are in now. Daddy even commented "We could be living here." I was having a great time at the party, when Noah's aunt and uncle got a call and had to leave. There was a fire near their home and they had to leave. Everyone went outside and we could see a large black billowing cloud of smoke. It put a damper on things and the party broke up sooner than it probably would have. As we began to drive home, we realised we needed to pass near where the fire seemed to be. This was the same neighborhood we nearly moved to, that we had joked about on the way there. At one point we could see the flames coming down the hill. It seemed very near. It was very smokey. We arrived home and there it seemed little different than when we had left. The same smell was in the air and we couldn't see the fire from our house. We switched on the late game but soon clicked over to the news. It seemed that the fire had spread some but not alarmingly so. We decided to go out for ice cream - Strickland's (made fresh every day; it is incredible!). Our friend and neighbor Ellen went with us. Afterwards we decided to drive to some higher ground nearby to see if we could see how far it had spread. Boy were we surprised! It had come much further south and seemed so much closer! We called friends that live nearby and discovered they had driven towards the fire to get a better look so we went to meet them. Driving there we realized how far away it actually is from our house, but it still is in our neighborhood. The flames were so bright at night! We were walking to meet them when the wind shifted and Mommy said it was too smokey for me. We headed back to the car and home instead.

Sammy fell asleep in the car on the way home. We are keeping our eyes on the news and all of our friends and neighbors in our prayers tonight. We pray for their safety and for those of the brave men and women battling this blaze to keep us all safe.

Photos curtesy of the ocregister.com

Our Little Artist

I have just recently discovered how fun crayons can be....I mean they aren't just for eating anymore! I have produced some original art, which is of course adorning the refrigerator as well as gotten some serious coloring done in my color book.

Here is my first original piece.
I am very enthusiastic about my art - Mom says a little too enthusiastic. I added a few artistic touches to the table...........

Here I am hard at work!

Grocery Shopping

I always have a good time at the grocery store. First thing I pick out a car to drive - the groceries go in the back.

I am a very good driver! I also like to get out and do some of the actual shopping. I am very helpful in the produce section. Mommy took several videos so you can watch me in action. If you have any pointers, just let me know!

My New Slippers

I went shopping with Mommy the other day. As we were passing an aisle I spotted something very interesting. They were red, fuzzy and irrestistible. As a hugged them to my chest I looked up at Mommy with a big smile and she capitulated completely. (She is so easy!) The Elmo slippers were mine! I couldn't wait to get them home to try on. I fussed that I had to put them on the counter so they could be paid for. When we got home I tried them on right away and Mommy put her slippers on too. I think they look great. I insisted on wearing them to bed the first night. I love my slippers!

Sandbox Fun

Daddy bought me a little sandbox for out back. I really enjoy playing in it. I like the way the sand feels. I am having some trouble keeping the sand in the box too. While I was out side playing Mommy took a quick video and got me to wave bye-bye. Hope you enjoy it!

It's Super-Shabbat Boy!

I love Friday nights because we set the table with the candlesticks and challah and kiddush cup. I know it's a speacial night. I particularly like watching Mommy cover her head with a silk scarf and say the blessings as she lights the candles. This week I decided to try the scarf myself. I was transformed into Super-Shabbat Boy! I ran all over the house with the scarf as a cape until Mommy put it on my head the way she wears it. It seemed to give me special powers. I was able to consume vast amounts of challah and prevent Daddy from feeding me any fish - check out the video!


Sometimes eating dinner makes me soooo bored!

Super Sukkot

Friday night Mommy, Daddy and I went to have dinner at our friends Lisa and John's. Eric and Emily were there too. We ate outside in the Succah. I had a fun time running around.
And laying around.

After it got a little cool, Mommy put me in my stripey jammies but that certainly didn't slow me down. I even did a little dance. Here's the video.
Saturday we went to services and I had a good time playing with my friend Kitty.














I did some more running around in the lobby. I had a terrific holiday!

Little Drummer Boy

While Mommy and I were in Denver, Daddy set up his drum kit in the garage. So when we arrived home I found a whole new way to have fun and make a terrific amount of noise. Here is a sample.......

Mission to the Mile-High

Well, we haven't blogged lately because we were out of town for almost a month! Great-Grandma wasn't feeling too good so Uncle Bob had Mommy and I fly out to take care of her for a while. Glad to report she is doing well now and we had a great visit. I got to do alot of fun things at Great-Grandma's house. She has a big front yard for me to play in, though I kept going out the gate. I got to eat plums picked right off the tree in the backyard. I thought that was really neat.














Uncle Bob took us to the Harvest festival in Arvada and I got to ride the carosel. Check out my cool Broncos gear....a gift from Uncle Bob. Don't I look great?!I really liked that.














He also took me to E.B. Raines park which had the best playground.














Some days we just hung out at the house, but that was fun too!