Samantha's New Favorite Things

We love our new neighborhood (I keep referring to it as our new neighborhood, but realize that we have been here for 10 months now ...). We have wonderful neighbors and are excited about the various neighboorhood activities that are coming up this year.

One of our neighbors surprised us this week by sending over two packages -- one for Sophia and one for Samantha. Sam is absolutely giddy over her gifts and Steve managed to take a few pictures of her with them:

She received new sunglasses (which I swear she would sleep with if I would let her), a new purse (that also hasn't been out of her hands since she opened it), a cute play flower for Spring ... and this:

A jump-rope!

Steve had to modify the length of the rope for her, and she is determined to master the art of jump-roping sooner rather than later. She wakes up in the morning and immediately asks me where her jump-rope is. And then, I observe this act about 40 times a day!