SAM & JACK: November 2009

I've had the photos to this entry cued up for ages and just never managed to push the "post" button! In this age of instant information six-month old news is ancient history, I know, but hopefully you'll still appreciate images of our Sam turning 3 back in late September.

Our friend Sarah made this gorgeous three-layer carrot cake. At first I had declined her kind offer, feeling it was my duty come-what-may to bake our son's birthday cake. But after a few more sleepless nights with newborn Jack I had a clear change of heart. Important to know one's limitations!

Thanks to Gordie, Ava & Macy, Sam got plenty of help opening and inspecting presents.

4 week-old Jack with his Big Poppy.

Jack with Aunt Laura, cousins Ava and Bella nearby. The girls were very sweet to wee Jack and gave him lots of kisses.

My father made up these wonderful tool box building kits and sent them up from South Carolina. We gave each party goer a kid-sized hammer and they built their own tool box...(with a little help from the grown ups who were wielding full sized hammers). It turned out to be a fabulous, albeit noisy, activity. Thanks, Morfar!

The morning after Sam posed with his new tool box. Also notice his super cool vacuum cleaner t-shirt made by our friend Hana. She sent him one in red and one in blue. Needless to say, Sam thinks they're the greatest shirts ever. Hana, you're the best!

Just before turning 3 Sam started preschool. He goes to a sweet Waldorf-inspired program of just 7 kids. It has been a great fit for him and I love that he has this wonderful new world all of his own now. This photo was taken on his first day, mid-September.

We had a beautiful, warm fall and Sam enjoyed many outdoor projects with Daddy. Sam still hasn't quite grown into the work gloves my mom gave him, but he wears them faithfully!

Priming quarter-round for our living room.

Still a bookworm. Sam couldn't get enough of this one page: Busy Town dump trucks of every sort.

It's taken me TEN weeks to finally make this very important post. Guess you could say we've been a bit busy with the arrival of our newest family member. Although Jack's arrival is no longer breaking news, this sweet second child certainly deserves a little recognition. So, please welcome Jack Ellis Cashman, born August 26, 2009, 9lb. 3oz., 22". These first two and a half months have brought all the challenge and bliss one might expect of a household with a newborn and a three year-old. The good news is that Jack has already given us the gift of sleeping through the night, and Sam is now using the potty. Let's hope for continued success on both accounts!

Please enjoy a few pictures from Jack's early days. I'll make another post soon with more recent photos.