Sam's 5 Part One

Why does it seem that when a birthday rolls around it's a week long celebration? Well Sam's birthday started off with the celebration happening at preschool. They invite the parent to attend and enjoy the day with their child.

On every kid's birthday they get to pick out their favorite flavor of cake and frosting for the felt cake and the class sings happy birthday to them. Little Red of course picks chocolate cake and frosting.

Sam also was able to bring a snack to share with the class. His choice, pretzels and chocolate gold coins.
The next day on Sam's actual birthday when he came down stairs, he found the table filled with fun gifts and the house decorated just for him.

Sam's choice of breakfast, Eggo Waffles and bacon.

Sam has been quite the daredevil when it comes to the rides at Disneyland, but not so much to talk to any Disney characters. I brought Sam to Disneyland for his birthday and on the way there I told him since he is 5 now maybe he will be able to talk to the characters. When we were just about done with the day at the park, he saw Pluto and he said, "Hey Mom, there's Pluto I want to go say hi." It blew me away and I didn't even have to stand by him or hold his hand while he talked to him. My little boy really is growing up!

For Sam's birthday dinner we decided to take him to the Costa Mesa Rain Forest Cafe and his cousin Johnny, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jenny joined us.

Sam's dinosaur balloon made for him while we were eating dinner.

Jord-Ash Visits Our Humble Home

My little Sis. Ash and her husband Jordan came for a visit during her time off from teaching school.We had little time with them so we had to think of somewhere to go that they had not been to yet.

So the first day we visited the Strands Beach in Dana Point. The sands were filled with sea shells and rocks and the houses on shore were absolutely amazing.

For the second day we took them to Newport Beach to catch the ferry to Balboa Island, later to find out it's not necessary to take the ferry because it's really a peninsula. None the less it was fun!

Once we were at Balboa we rode on the Ocean Explorer to go whale watching. The whales were absolutely there and it was amazing, but to me what was even more breath taking were all the dolphins. There were tons of them and they would jump and race the boat at full speed! Loved it! I'm pretty sure Ashley and Jordan did too.
~The cute couple Ashley & Jordan~ Whale spouting water for air.
The dolphins, my favorite! Silly, lazy Sea Lions.
The never ending Ferris wheel Sam and Ashley rode after our Whale watching.Can't go to Balboa and not have a Balboa Ice cream Bar!

Sam Joins the Aztecs

Sam started T-Ball. He is on the Viejo Little League Aztecs Team.
He absolutely loves wearing his uniform and is quite proud to wear it if we happen to go out for dinner after a night game.
Dan signed up as one of the assistant coaches and the kids have warmed up quickly to him. In the picture just below, the boys dragged Dan over to this fence line to show him some snake holes

Aztecs

For opening day there was all kinds of exciting bounce houses, food, games and team pictures taken. Here they are gathered for a ceremony were they introduced the leagues, and the Mission Viejo mayor spoke as well as Bobby Grich (a former Angels player).

It is absolutely the most fun thing to watch these little boys and girls play t-ball. They begin the season unsure of which direction to run or friendly conversation at bases discussing their ages and dodging with all their might so as not to be tagged by a fielder.

Some of Sam's favorite positions to play are the pitcher and catcher, sounds pretty normal huh?

Batting is pretty cool too!

Dan and Sam enjoying Chick-fil-a after a fun Saturday game of ball!

Will You Be My Valentine

My two boys are certainly my valentines. I love them!
Sam's request for breakfast, traditional pink, heart pancakes.
My Valentine for Dan; Balloons attached to different pictures of happenings in our life with references as to why I love him.

Sam's was the closest thing we will get to a dog at the moment with his favorite character balloon Spongebob and candy.

For Sam's Valentine Party at school, I was invited to attend and help. We made a pink heart cake for their science project and love notes for arts and crafts.

Sam and one of his best buddies Max, being silly!

Preschool Playdate and Yogurt

Since I am a room mother for Sam's class it is my responsibility to come up with an occasional play date for them. My girlfriend's father-in-law is the owner/CEO of Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt and her husband owns two of the stores in our area so I asked if we could get a tour from her husband and of course he said yes.
They loved it! The highlight was walking in to a huge fridge, but the yummiest part was the yogurt he gave them, their choice and with toppings of course, YUM, YUM! We love Golden Spoon!!

Our Visit to San Diego Zoo

We finally made it to the San Diego Zoo and were able to cross it off the list of things we have wanted to do around here. I would have to say it is one of the best Zoos we have been to next to the National Zoo in D.C.

Snow Day

It's a tradition around here that during the winter months that are not very wintery here they have a snow day for all of the kids. They haul in snow to each community's parks and set up snow hills and mounds of snow for the children to play with. Sam remembers sledding with Uncle Joel and Cousin Samantha in Utah and was excited to be sledding again.

Boomer

Last year in Sam's preschool their pet bird was Mike and this year it's Boomer. Sam was very excited for it to be his turn to bring home Boomer. As soon as we came home, Sam decided that he needed to read some books to him. It was quite a pile he collected to read to him.

Stromberg's Christmas 2011

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit this Christmas and of course Sam was delighted with their visit.
One of the things we entertained them with was driving around our neighborhood to look at lights. This was one of the winners in the light displays.

Our 4 year old Sam growing up and looking sharp.

Some of Sam's favorite Christmas gifts.

It has always been a desire of mine to own a Christmas Advent Calender, just like the one my mom made that we had hanging up in my house growing up. Lots of searches later, the right one was just not out there, so I made one. There may be a few flaws here and there, but what was most important to me was that Sam loved and he did!

Lots O' Disneyland

It's been quite a treat to live so close to Disneyland. We have been pretty good at going frequently by using our passes. Every time we enter the grounds into the magical kingdom it is just that magical. Sam's favorite rides started off with Buzz Light Year and Toy Story Mania, but he has become a little more adventurous and now it's Go Gadget Roller Coaster, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Tours.