Sam's 2nd Year Photos

Thanks to yet another Groupon deal, we were able to get Sam's 2nd-year photos done on the cheaper side of awesome.  Granted, I feel like every year is a gamble when it comes to snatching up these deals.  Kiddie Kandids' was the first deal to pop up this time around, and uncertain about the availability of coupons for the other studios in the area (such as Portrait People and Portrait Simple) I grabbed this one as soon as I could.

The deal had two options - we paid $35 for the Deluxe Portrait Package (and $184.91 value) which included:

• A studio photo shoot, with session fee included
• A single-image portrait CD
• Six natural-color portrait sheets of up to six different poses, each of which is available as one 8"x10", two 5"x7"s, four 3.5"x5"s or eight wallet-size prints
• One enhanced 10"x13" print
• 50% off all regular-priced items, including additional prints, enhancements, collages, portrait CDs, and framed art created at time of session

We arrived at our appointment on time, and they took us right away.  You would think this would be commonplace, arriving on time, however not so much.  While we were there, there was a family who arrived over an hour late for their appointment and still expected to be squeezed in once they arrived.  The studio was down a camera and already running an hour behind as it was, so they had to turn them away - not that I blame them - but it just floors me the entitlement of some individuals.

The session was pretty straight-forward.  Sam was having a day and just coming off having a cold and napping horribly, but she did well enough for what it was.  Unfortunately, she had scratched her face so bad the day before that it created a scab which is clearly evident in her pictures.  There was a slight debate as to whether or not we should reschedule for a later time after it healed, but we decided against it 1) because the Groupon was expiring and I wanted to get the pictures done on or around her actual birthday, and 2) she's a toddler - these bumps and bruises and scratches happen, and if it wasn't this one in particular, it could very well be something else later on.  So we went with it.

The pictures came out well.  I had chosen two outfit for the occasion - one dress and then a more casual outfit afterwards.  I like variety, and we were able to get both in within our session's time constraint.  The dress I bought at Kohls (I tried finding it on the website, but their stock overturns so often of course it's not there now that I need it).  The casual outfit consisted of a tshirt and shorts I bought at Old Navy:

(Just like this without the long sleeves)

I gave the 10x13" to my mother because intially I thought she would want it more than we would.  Of course, once I got home my husband asked me about the "big" picture... sigh.  Luckily with each sessions, we were given an "online studio" and on our paid receipt there was a coupon code for... what?  A free 10x13"  Problem solved!

With the 6 sheets available to me thanks to the Groupon, I picked a variety of poses that I thought people would like the most for gifts, etc.  I ended up paying an additional $60 for a full version of the CD since it was half off, and I'd rather a disc containing ALL of the session's portraits rather than just the one that was included in the package.

But without further ado, I give you now a sampling of Samma's 2nd year photos! 

 

These were some of the more "touched-up" versions of the session.  The whole lot of them can be found here on my Facebook page.  Thanks for checking them out! :)

Why I love the fall:

"done" taking a walk with her dad at Pond Meadow Park in Braintree, MA

That time Samma had a birthday party!

 
Last Saturday was Samantha's 2nd birthday party, and though smaller than the prior year, I think she had a fantastic time.  The day started out cool and cloudy while we were running errands and prepping, but right before party time the sky cleared up and the sun started shining.

I really didn't do much by way of decorations.  Balloons and that was pretty much it.  I had even purchased purple and blue streamers but ended up returning them because I didn't know how the weather was going to turn out.  Plus, I was getting lazy.

We spent the night before making chocolate cupcakes for everyone!

 

... I wonder where they are!

And they were enjoyed by all, especially the birthday girl!

 Friends were there, from both daycare and other walks of life, and everyone played well together!

And it wasn't 5 minutes into the party until the sandbox was discovered!  But hey, at least they were content.

Samma even got a birthday kiss from her best forced-friend Coley!

And there was much rejoicing!

And then it was present time.

We loved present time.

 Especially the big ones!

She got so much - a play kitchen, a table and chair set, an art easel and art supplies, clothes, puzzles, the Little People dollhouse, and a teeball set!  But Chris and I had to save the "best" for last, so we asked Samma to close her eyes...

... and when we told her to open them...

... she discovered the had a brand new bike!

Unfortunately, she's still just a little bit small for it, but that didn't stop us from pushing her around.  And it wasn't long before she asked for her helmet so she could really ride!

I think she enjoyed herself, and I hope we did right by her for it this year.  Next year I think we're going to try something different and have it at a more open location so more people can come if they want to.  But then again, we have another whole year to figure those plans out!

That all being said, there's only one thing left to do!

A HUGE Thank You to everyone who helped make Samantha's birthday such a special day!  We couldn't have done it without you... and yes, thank you notes are soon-to-be in the mail!

Saving this one for later...

Bonnie Jean Owl Tutu Dress & Leggings Set

The only reason I have a want to buy this is because I know Samma would flip her stuff -- she's currently in a "ballerina" phase -- not to mention she needs an outfit for Thanksgiving and this would just work perfectly. PLUS the only size Kohls seems to have left is a 2T, at least online... it's like an omen!  Meant to be, even!

We'll see what happens when I get paid on Friday...


Edit 10/03/12:  I just rechecked Kohls.com and of course the price dropped to $18.99 and it's no longer available.  And on top of that, it's an online exclusive, so of course it's not going to be in stores.  So I may or may now have just placed a big for one of these on eBay.  Maybe.