Feb 4th, The countdown in on!

Sam will be 2.5 in less than a week! I don't know where the time has gone. I can divide his life into small parts, like his first 3 weeks were in Halifax, his next 3 months in Dartmouth, and then the rest in California interspered with month-long Canadian visits. Anyway, enough! Here's some Sam...

**I've got to report on Sam's latest bargaining techniques. In December, if Adam or I paused while considering his request, Sam would say, "Say yes or no. Say yes!" Now, he negotiates quantities, such as just occurred. While offering snack options, Sam asked for grape juice. Adam easily declines, saying that we have no grape juice. Sam says, "apple, then?" while nodding his head and looking full into Daddy's face. We form a side bar to decide on the amount he's already taken today vs. how dry it was today vs. his odds of more juice ruining his sleep; meanwhile, Sam strolls into the kitchen, get's a cup from the dishwasher and strolls up to us, then waits quietly until we've decided in the negative. To this he says, "I want much juice." After more cute politeness and staring into Daddy's eyes, Daddy counters with, "ok, but just a little." Sam holds firm to his requirement of "much" and is presently sitting at the table enjoying his nearly full cup.**

This is thoughtful Sam...

This is angry Sam (for pretend)...

This is sad Sam (for pretend)...


And, FINALLY, happy Sam!

Just for the record, confused Sam had various faces, but the important part I guess is that his arm was ALWAYS across his chest...I'm not sure what the connection is...

This is my poor imitation of Cheryl's dough boat...

Good enough to eat! I mean, smoosh!


Granola Bars (Sarah's recipe with my substitutions in brackets)

1/2 cup pb, 1/3 cup honey (maple syrup), 1 egg, 2 tbsp canola oil, 1 tsp vanilla
Mix well.

3 1/2 cups oats, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 3/4 tsp salt
Mix well.

1/3 cup pb chips (1/2 or 1 cup honey roasted peanuts), 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Stir well.

Spread in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan and bake at 350 F for 12 to 15 mins until set and the edges are brown.

Cool on a rack then cut. Store in air tight container at room temperature.

Sam's playdough play with "Uncle Ron and Uncle Glen" (the camera distracted him, so he clammed up :( )...


Sam thanks Nana and Papa for his chocolate Christmas sucker...

Some discussion of Sam's early morning fantasies...parts one,

part two..

and the epilogue...