Becoming Godparents

Two weeks ago Ben and I became Godparents for the first time. Our great friends Dwight and Mallory (must be crazy) asked Ben and I to be the godparents to their son Wes. The Baptism was a great day with friends and family. Wes was a trooper and so cute when they poured the water on his head. Wes is 5 months old and such a cuttie. He is already growing like a weed and laughing a lot. We feel so lucky to be a special part of this great little man's life. Here are some pictures from the great day!!

Wes with his Mom and Dad

Right before the Baptism started

Wes being such a trooper when the water was poured on his head

Wes being congratulated as a new member of the Catholic church!!

Samuel stayed home during the Baptism and played with his Jiji and Papster. He had a great weekend with them, and allowed Mom and Dad to focus on Wes and his big day!!

1st Haircut

We finally gave into the sideburns and mullet and decided to get Samuel's 1st haircut this weekend. Prior to getting it cut we didn't think it was that bad, but after seeing the results we waited about 6 months too long. We were nervous on how Sam would do (I have tried a few times at home and not good is an understatement on how it went) so we tried to find a place that would make him forget he was getting his haircut. We found a place called Sugar and Spice and it was AMAZING. They had rockets, race cars, motorcycles and other seats for kids to ride in while they were getting there hair done. The woman had Thomas the Train playing as well, which he didn't seem interested in and then footballs, beach balls and tons of other toys. Our worries were put to rest immediately when we got there. Samuel did an amazing job, smiled, played with the car and didn't seem to be fazed at all about getting his hair cut. The woman could have kept him there for hours and I don't think he would have minded. He was such a trooper and so cute to watch. Our little guy is growing into a little boy, it was a fun morning for mom and dad.

Just getting started

As a "way to go" for Sam dad bought him his own golf set, and he hasn't put it down since. We thought it was necessary after this from last week.

Trying to find his grip, maybe a left hander?

Ben also had a birthday this weekend, which was great to celebrate with his parents, and our friends. Happy Birthday Babe hope you had a great day!!

Seis De Mayo

This weekend our neighborhood and friends decided to have a Seis De Mayo Party! It was great, there was over thirty kids, three bouncy machines, balloons, bubbles and chalk. the kids were entertained for hours. Samuel had such a great night that he was still exhausted today. It has been a few months since Sam has taken two naps but today he fell asleep in the car at 9:30 am and even when we got him out and went into the store he still didn't wake up, this little guy was pooped.

Samuel drew lots of scribbles with the chalk, dipped the bubbles for the older kids to blow and then he would chase them to try and pop them before they hit the ground. Each time the kids blew the bubbles Sam would giggle harder and louder and then if he actually got to the bubble before it popped he would get a big grin mentally thinking "I did it!"
But 80% of Sam's time was spent in the bouncies. There was a smaller bouncy for kids 4 and under, a huge bouncy for the bigger kids, and then a slide. We put Samuel in the little bouncy and he would crawl out after only a minute or two. We tried this a couple of times with no success, but every time he crawled out he would go and stand infront of the big bouncy. The big bouncy had a slide for kids to come down after they got out so we thought we would try that and he did like it but it wasn't enough. Samuel wanted more and so when there was only two other kids in the big bouncy we put him in there, and to say he LOVED it would be an understatement. At first he would just sit on the side and giggle as he got bounced around by the other two kids, but then more kids came and Sam decided to be more adventurous. I was a little nervous, but at the same time loved to see him smiling from ear to ear. Kids were bumping into him, knocking

him down, jumping over him, rolling on him and NEVER did he get upset, bite, or do anything but smile and giggle. This was a great night. Sam loves to do what the big kids are doing. At the end of the night we actually had to have one of the older kids pick Sam up and bring him to us because he wouldn't get out of the bounce house!

It was a great night for Sam and for Ben and I. We really have loved the neighborhood we have moved into and think this is a great place for Samuel to grow up.

Happy Mother's day to everyone. It was a near perfect day, but wish Ben's mother and my mother could have been here to join us. I asked Ben for a very low key day and I got exactly that. I had breakfast made for me after I got to sleep in, Samuel made me a potted plant with flowers (Ben told me he also ate some of the dirt) and then we went to the park, played golf in the yard and enjoyed a simple day just the 3 of us! Samuel did decide to walk down stairs today without holding onto the spindles (only 2 of them) over and over for the first time, so cute.

Samuel loves his pups especially Homer because he doesn't run away when Sam hugs him

Sam can't get enough of playing in the car these days, he tries to drive and honks the horn every 5 seconds. Were waiting for the neighbors to come over and tell us to keep it down.

Easter Fun

Its been a busy two weeks at the Levy house. I had been traveling all over the state for work (there used to be 4 of me in my position in Missouri and now there is just me), and then we went to Sioux Falls for Easter and the minute we got back I headed to Dallas for most of the week. So I apologize that my Easter pictures and follow-up are a little late.

We had a great trip to Sioux Falls. The drive was a little bit of a challenge. Trying to entertain a 16-month old child that is stuck in a car seat for 6 hours is an adventure for everyone. While we were there we got to see all of our family, meet new friends (baby Anna) and had an Easter brunch with Samuel's Grandma, Nana, Papa and his great Uncle Jon who he had never met. Samuel loves being at Grandma's she spoils him and he gets to do whatever he wants, and Grandpa slides down the stairs with him over and over.

Three generations together

A family picture, and yes I know I cut Ben's head off, sorry sweetheart.

It was a wonderful trip and Sam loved opening his eggs and eating everything inside (they were filled with Captain Crunch.) When Sam thinks he is going to get a snack/treat he now sits down on the ground and repeats the "more" sign with his hands and says mor over and over until he gets the treat. We can't take any of the credit, Sam has been moved into the 18-24 month room at daycare and is picking things up by the day. He washes his own hands, sits at a table and feeds himself, sleeps on a cot (and he actually stays in) and has really progressed on talking.

Samuel now says a lot more words and that has really helped with his biting. It is so fun to see him try new words and he gets so proud when we actually understand what he is saying. We think he was doing a lot of the biting because he was frustrated that he couldn't speak so he acted out by biting. We have really made a lot of progress and this week is Teacher Appreciation week and we have a lot to say Thank You for.
His personality is really blossoming and so fun to watch, he is such a happy boy and yet so sneaky. Ben and I get such a kick out of him and the things he does, he is like our personal entertainer each night. When he tries to do something he knows he shouldn't he sneaks it when we aren't looking and makes this little smirk and looks at the ground. Ben and I have such a hard time keeping a straight face when he does it. We know we need to stay strong but we can't help how funny it is.
And I have to share his new trick. In the last blog I wrote how much he likes to play basketball, and that we have a little hoop in our living room but now each time he shoots or drops the ball in the hoop he says TWO!!! He and Dad play all the time.

Grandma spoils him, but he does help clean up.