Monday came, and Slothy was ready for school!

The kids did Opinion Writing this week.

I think my favorite part of Sammy’s are the exclamation points, especially after Sammy’s name. He’s Sammy!, for sure!

Topic: Favorite Season

My Opinion: The best season is summer. (Steven picked winter.)

Reasons: You can go to a pool. Go to a beach. Hot weather.

I’m convinced, Sammy!

Steven has a different opinion than Sammy. His favorite season is winter. Steven likes winter because:

1. My birthday is in winter
2. Driving through pretty lights
3. Collecting ice

Conclusion: I love winter so much

I have been hard at work, wrapping and wrapping birthday gifts. Can’t talk about them yet, though, because Steven, Sammy and Amaya are going to read this with me before January 20th.

Steven asked for a Nintendo Switch and took Sammy’s box, which we still have, to measure against the gifts to see if one is the right size lol.

After work one day I found SSA cuddled up on the couch with Slothy (and Sammy’s Whammy Puppy) playing the sweetest games together, and singing original songs about Slothy. What a truly amazing experience to grow up together.

Until we dig a lake, new remote control boats need a test drive in our bath tub. Still fun!

Amaya wanted to be sure that Slothy can travel safely to NY so Slothy tested out a mask. 🙂

How I (sometimes) roll… business on top, lazy Sunday on the bottom.

The kids are working on their first 300 piece puzzle – a prize that Sammy picked out. If we were willing to leave it out until they finish, I actually think they’d work through it pretty quickly.

The cooking skill of the week was slicing apples. Definitely a “supervision required” activity but Sammy did a great job!

Bedtime snuggles <3

On Wednesday night I got some snuggles with my Bubba.

The Clines! <3 <3 <3

Bedtime book selfies! Every night a different Cline kid gets to pick our bedtime story. Whoever’s turn it is also gets to sit on my lap for the book. This night, Steven chose “Bear Snores On.” A classic favorite. (I always hear this book in Aunt Ouize’s voice.)

We are still all about magnatiles in the house. The deal the kids and I made is that we’ll put their creations away every night but SSA first get to take photos as memories.

On Friday afternoon the kids and I both took half days off work/school and headed to the airport for a pre-birthday weekend in NY! I was so worried COVID would interfere with this trip but, in the end, it enabled the trip because we were able to safely stay with the Goldbergs for the weekend.

Slothy and her mask. 🙂

These kids have it down.

We were so excited to see Aunt Sara at La Guardia!

Charlie worked incredibly hard to get the house ready for three birthday kids. Streamers and banners everywhere – plus crowns, necklaces, lollipops and a pinata. Amazing!

Cousin dinner

Uncle Dave and Slothy – fast friends!

One of the best sight’s I’ve ever seen. <3

Before bed, Charlie read the kids some chapters from a Junie B Jones book. Steven loves Junie B Jones!

Post-breakfast lollipops, compliments of Charlie.

Late morning, Nana, Papa and Savta came to spend time with us.

Hi Papa!

I know I said something else was the best but this is truly the best.

Another birthday special treat was silly string – which led to silly string wars.

SSA, Chase and Charlie spent ages on the trampoline. Steven and Chase were the last two standing, with nearly an hour of jumping time. The trampoline is definitely a bonus perk of our visits.

Some TV down time

Savta and Sammy always find their time together.

Pinata time! It took more than 15 minutes to break the pinata and it was calling in the big guns – Chase and Charlie – that finally did the trick.

In the afternoon, we went to Levy Park in Merrick to climb the “mountain”, see the views, and check out the dock. We walked 2.25 miles and had a great time together.

Two really pretty pictures that Nana took.

Steven, Amaya and Charlie played an “office” game which involved interviewing the adults for a job as Charlie’s assistant. “I hear you’re looking for a new job. Why do you want a new job.”

This interview notice was delivered to Aunt Sara by Amaya.

She got such a kick out of interviewing us.

Sunday was the official birthday celebration day. (Though, truthfully, it spanned the weekend.) On Saturday night, the birthday message was delivered and set up on Aunt Sara and Uncle Dave’s yard. I might love it even more than the kids do. 🙂

Sara, Dave and I checked it out after the kids were in bed.

The (almost) birthday kids! SEVEN. I mean, how? HOW?

The birthday kids with their birthday message. It was cold this morning.

Sammy noticed the puppy right away.

Birthday cupcakes! Jojo for Amaya. Lego for Steven. Mario & friends for Sammy.

Amaya and Papa cuddles.

Nana, staying diligent.

Gin Rummy with Nana and Chase/Sara. Steven was sad that I didn’t win.

Art for Savta

Storytelling with Savta

Happy Birthday, Steven, Sammy & Amaya!

Another hour on the trampoline!

Auntie and Dod Shuki came to celebrate with us, too. <3

Sammy was gifted a Scruff-a-luv which he’s tending to with Charlie.

Steven is working on a new Minecraft pirate lego set. (Amaya has a Jojo themed Caboodle for her make-up.)

It was a phenomenal visit. Now we’re ready to head home in the morning and celebrate Steven, Sammy and Amaya’s 7th birthday on Wednesday!