Happy Birthday my sweet lil’ monkey!

Two years ago in the middle of Christmas preparations, we had a beautiful baby boy!! Samuel was born around 10 p.m., 8lbs, 8oz and 19.5 inches long. He had a head of dark hair! Samuel’s hair has only gotten more thick and curly. He was the best Christmas gift!! I can’t believe it has been two years!!! He has grown so much, and developed such a personality!! Samuel is such a funny and sweet boy. He loves to cuddle, hug and kiss, is super smart, and can be very stubborn. He tries to keep up with David and Emma and is learning things so quickly because of it.

We had a small party today for Samuel. He loves Curious George and so we had a curious George theme. I made a chocolate sheet cake, and decorated it with yellow frosting, m&m’s, and a curious George figure and candles I bought. The cake is delicious! It is like a fudgy brownie cake. You can find the recipe for it at https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11901/best-chocolate-sheet-cake-recipe/ ! Samuel loved it, and blew out his candles on the first try!

Samuel mostly loved spending time with his Nana and Papa, and playing with his new toys. 🙂

David and Emma also had fun helping out with preparing for Samuel’s party, playing with Samuel’s new toys, and visiting with Papa and Nana. 🙂 David likes to talk Pokémon with Papa, or anyone who is interested really. 🙂

In other events of the week, we made Christmas ornaments! For the last couple years I have wanted to try making salt dough ornaments with the kids. Well, we finally did it this year! It was a lot of fun, and the kids loved cutting out the shapes, and then painting their ornaments. First we did hand prints. I took charge of the hand prints because I wanted to preserve them for future years. I painted, wrote names and the year on the back, and then sprayed them with a sealer. The other cut outs, I let the kids take charge and have fun!

It has been pretty cold outside this week! I have discovered a new favorite brand of hot cocoa. Land O’ Lakes Hot cocoa mix! Last year I used Trader Joe’s and loved it, but we haven’t gone to Trader Joes this year because of the pandemic. So I had to try something new. BOY am I glad I did!!! It is so rich, chocolatey, and delicious! The kids have requested hot cocoa this week after playing outside! So I had to take pictures of the first hot cocoa drinks of the season. 🙂 Samuel liked it, but really just wanted to eat his marshmallow.

It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away! I am excited for the events of the week; getting a tree and decorating it, wrapping presents, baking cookies and cakes, spending time with family, and taking time to remember Jesus and feeling the hope, peace, love and joy he brings in our hearts.

I hope y’all have a Merry Christmas!!

Love,

PK