Happy 6th Birthday My Baby!

Time has sure flown by and while it seems like just yesterday she was 3, Sam turned a whopping 6 years old  *just like that*. Where did 4 and 5 go??

We celebrated on the weekend at McDonalds with all her friends. I planned it with a kinder mom whose son has his birthday just 2 days beforehand and since they all have mutual friends it worked out perfect.
Sam wanted a surprise party so grandma suggested that we go to McDonald's for lunch. When we showed up she noticed one person from her class inside the play area so we opened the door and everyone yelled "Surprise!" She was  shocked at first and was so cute to see the look on her face slowly come to realize that the party was for her. Unfortunately it all happened so fast I didn't have time to pull out my camera.

Yesterday on her actual birthday her whole class sang to her and they shared cookies I took over for snack time. Her teacher gives out books for the kids as birthday gifts so she's got one more for her great collection. When she got home she enjoyed watching her new Tinkerbell movie with her favorite lunch Mac and Cheese. At night she was spoiled rotten with gifts from all grandparents and mommy and daddy, ate her favorite cheese pizza, followed by her favorite decedent chocolate cake. I have one happy girl...and very busy today with all her new gifts!

Happy Valentine's Day

Mom and Rick came down for the week and we all got to celebrate Valentine's Day together - Greek style. YUM!
 

Happy 40 To Meeee

Here's to a new chapter, a new beginning in my life, at 40 years of age...how the heck did I get here so fast! This is the age I remember my parents being when, what felt just like yesterday, I was in high school. Now I'm here and in 10 years I'll be 50...just like Ross reminds Joey in the above Friends clip which echoes my sentiments exactly!

Really though, turning 39 I think was worse, as I knew it was the end of my incredible 30's and being on the downslide to the next decade. It's given me much time to reflect, accept, want to change certain things, appreciate (or not) the hardships and challenges I conquered along the way, being proud of my accomplishments and realize the strengths I have built because of it all. It's empowering to begin a new phase of 'ME'. I know who I am better than I ever have and with that I can continue being proactive in 'living my best life' - (my favorite quote I mantra from Oprah).

 We celebrated over the weekend with 7 of my greatest friends, old and new, plus their spouses in White Rock. I chose my favorite go-to restaurant The Boathouse overlooking the ocean. They decked me out in "40" party accessories which made it so much more fun and they all hit it off so well I think a dinner party with them all is in order soon! So blessed to have such great people in my life!