Dear Daddy,

Happy New Year!!!

Grandad and Nana Jo came over and cooked us dinner. Then we went to bed at our normal time. No exciting celebrations here. We miss you.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday we spent the day at Nana's house. I played with Tegan and we ate a big dinner. It was fun. Harriet came back with us to stay at our house.

Today we went into Bury St Edmunds - we ate lunch at Pizza Hut. I didn't even eat any pizza, but I did eat LOADS of pasta. I really loved it. Molly did too. She ate lots of pasta too (see below)



Mummy got to spend the vouchers she got for Christmas and we walked around lots of shops. Next time you can come with us!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we came home. Grandad, Nana Jo and George came with us and bought some boxes that we hadnt got around to bringing here yet AND of course they brought our bikes! I enjoyed talking to you earlier.

Tonight Molly is going to spend her 1st night in her own room and in a big girl bed! Mummy thinks she'll be up lots tonight!

Not long until we see you Daddy!!

Love Sam  xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today it's Boxing Day here! Great Grandma came over to Grandads and ate lunch with us. We even had crackers! I have been playing with all my new toys.

Molly went with Mummy to collect Great Grandma and then she played with her new toys too.

Here is George and I playing with my new Leap Pad Exlorer!

We miss you so much Daddy.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

We really missed you today! We had a lovely Christmas day! Santa came, he even left snowy footprints across the living room floor at Grandad's. I got so many nice things - lots of books, a bike, a helmet and bell for my bike, chocolate, Octonaut figures (I'll let you watch that show when you're home!!) a remote control lizard, pyjamas, a Leap Pad Explorer with a camera attached, 2 colouring books, pencils and lots more!

Molly got a doll and a matching cot, chocolate, pyjamas, clothes, books, a mini kitchen, a new plate for her dinner, a slinky, a bike, a magic light up jar, hair clips! 

We're SO lucky!

We had a nice lunch with a ham and lots of vegetables, afterwards we ate Ben and Jerry's ice cream!

This afternoon we went up to see Great Granny and had tea there with Nana, David, Harriet, Sarah, Rebecca and everyone!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

It's Christmas Eve and im SO excited! We're staying at Grandad's as he and Nana Jo have a chimney that Santa can come down. Today I have helped Nana Jo put up the decorations and after dinner I laid out some carrots for the reindeer and some ginger beer and chocolate for Santa! I hope he brings me what Ive asked for!

We wish you were here Daddy! I miss you so much!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Thankfully I am better today. I last puked at 3am. Mummy is very happy not to be cleaning up sick anymore. Hopefully Molly doesnt get it.

We spent today at home recovering. I did lots of crafts and Mummy took me to the craft store on base and got me some special scissors that cut in wiggly lines.

Here are Molly and I in the bath - with our bath crayons. Im getting much better at drawing and I can now draw a person!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We have talked about you a LOT today as it's your birthday and Nana's birthday too! I hope you had a good day.

I haven't had a good day, I have been sick. Mummy says I have vomited about once an hour all day. I feel terrible. We took Harriet home too as she is sick as well. As Mummy drove us to Nana's house I was sick all down myself and Harriet puked into a Tupperware while Molly screamed. Mummy said it was a stressful journey!

Here we are this evening!

Molly loves the camera!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we're going to see Great Grandma Jenny. Harriet is with us as there is no school for her or me.

Here is Molly this morning, she gets BAD 'bed-head'. She is such a big girl now Daddy. When you come back you will really notice how big and grown up she is now. She eats cereal with me in the morning all by herself!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday we went to the Christmas market on the embankments (river Thames - London, near Big Ben) it was REALLY fun! you will have to come with us next year. There were lots of fun things to see. Even a man dressed up as a creature in a box. He said 'Hello Mr. Baby' to me, it was funny!

I got to eat cake and watch the London Eye go around!

We stayed at Grandad's last night. Tonight we go home and Harriet comes with us as there is no school until January now!

here is Molly and George this morning! ♥

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday we my last day at pre-school, we had a Christmas party, it was really fun. Mummy stayed to help (Nana had Molly). She danced with me and my friends and helped serve everyone food. I ate loads of sausages and ham sandwiches. I know you saw my special Christmas hat - it was the only one that had a snowman with a huge frown and my snowman was even wearing 7 hats (just the way I like them to look). This weekend Harriet is staying with us. Today it was SO cold (yesterday it even snowed a little). We went shopping and then played at home. Mummy found even more of our bath toys in a box in the garage, so Molly and I were able to use our bath crayons to graffiti the bath tub.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday I had my Nativity play. I was a shepherd. I wasnt very excited about the whole thing. I refused to give my 'lamb' to Mary and I also tried a few times to get Jesus out of the crib!

I didnt sing much, a few lines VERY loudly, and that was it. I really just wanted to go home. Mummy loved watching me though, and said I looked very sweet.

I really wish you could have been there to see me!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today Nana and David came to our house and we went onto the base to do some Christmas shopping. We also had lunch there and I even got ice cream from Baskin Robbins!

Mummy thought you might like a photo of all of us, so here we are!



 Harriet and I have been playing with you lego men a lot. I hope that's OK. Mummy said you have 'issues' about me touching them, but I thought you wouldnt mind really. I even made a big tower out of their heads!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today Harriet, Mummy, Molly and I went to the base to do some shopping. Mummy decided that it was time I got a new pair of shoes. These ones flash - just like my old ones (that you never got to see in person :( ....) but they 'died' and stopped flashing a while ago. We also went into Mildenhall, we found some good stuff for my 'art box' and also a cool kit of play dough tools.

Oh Daddy, I miss you so much. I keep saying to Mummy 'so, Daddy will be back for my birthday? or no?'

Here are my new shoes, hope you like them 

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today at school I made lots of Christmas things. I made my Christmas cake AND a Christmas slug. Mummy thinks my slug is THE best thing ever. Unfortunately it met an untimely death when we got home when I ripped all it's eyes off and smashed it's body. So Mummy said it was very good that she took a photo of it. We also had a Christmas party at school, Mummy was supposed to bring ham sandwiches, but in true scatter-brained Mummy style, she forgot them, so Nana had to make them and they brought them over to my school. Poor Mummy needs you home as she is losing her mind. 

Do you like my slug Daddy?

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

After school today Mummy took me and Molly to the base and we met up with Mummy's friend - Vicky. She has a little boy my age and I really liked playing with him. Hopefully I will get to play with him lots more.

Here I am this evening at bedtime. Mummy has put my circus tent into my built-in wardrobe, so it's like a playhouse. Molly and I love it!



Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today I went to school. After school I went to Grandads to have lunch and then Mummy, Nana Jo, Molly George and I went to the BIG Tesco in Bar Hill. Mummy got a TV. Mummy wanted us to be a 'tv free' household but our internet is SO slow that Mummy cannot watch TV on demand so, she has helped us become a TV family instead! Nana Jo and Grandad came to our house to make dinner. It was fun. They looked after me and Molly while Mummy went to see my new pre-school. Mummy said it was wonderful and she thinks I will really love it.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

It's getting really cold here! Today we went into Mildenhall town to see what was there. It was a bit disappointing. Mummy said it was rubbish and that you wouldn't be impressed. We walked around some shops and Mummy got me my own pair of scissors as at the moment Im really into chopping up paper into tiny pieces and scattering them all over the carpet.

As a treat Mummy and Harriet took Molly and I to the park. It IS a rubbish town, but it does have a really good park to play in. It's really big and has lots of cool things to play on. The photo shows Molly and I on the huge round swing! Molly LOVED it!

Molly also went down a big slide that had humps in it. She thought it was really funny!

Love Sam  xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday I went to school and we sang lots of Christmas songs. After school we went to Nana's house and I was very busy with my magazine (see photo) When Harriet got home from school we drove to Lakenheath base to watch the Christmas lights be turned on. We missed it by 1 minute! We did see Santa though - he was on a fire truck! I also got a cookie! We ate dinner at the BX and then went home to bed. I was very whiny as I usually am in the evenings but Molly was a very good girl. She loved all the pretty lights.

'

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

we're doing lots of Christmas stuff at school. I am going to be a shepherd in the nativity play! we're learning lots of songs to sing to the mums and dads too. 'Santa got stuck up the chimney' and 'Rudolph the red nosed reindeer' are just two of them. Next Wednesday we have our Christmas party - when we were asked what food we wanted to bring - I of course said 'ham sandwiches' as they are most favourite food ever. So now, lucky mummy gets to make ham sandwiches for my whole class.

We all have pink eye too Daddy. It's horrible. Mummy has to put drops in my eye and I hate it. Molly hates it more though - she SCREAMS at Mummy when she has to do it!

This Friday Mummy is taking us to the base light switch on! im so excited! Santa will be there! I wish SO much that you could be there too Daddy!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

This weekend Harriet has stayed at our house. I love it when she stays over as she plays with me and makes me laugh a lot.

Yesterday we tied outside and raked all the leaves, then we sorted out a few more boxes and Mummy found more toys for me! It was really cool! Then we went and did the food shopping at the commissary.

Today Nana, David and Ryan came to visit us and we went for lunch on Mildenhall base. I got to look at all the toys and Christmas stuff. I have talked about you a LOT today. 

Here is Molly with Jane's cat. Molly LOVES cats. She likes to call them 'tatatatatat'.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

I went to school today, even though it's 'Thanksgiving' but of course, Mummy and most people here dont 'do' it. We celebrated at school though, and ate cornbread (like REAL Americans!!)

After school we went to Tesco's and Nana got me a plane for my collection. Then we had dinner at Nana's house. Tonight we're sleeping at Grandads and Nana Jo's as Mummy felt like driving 30miles to our new house at 7pm and then 30miles back again at 8am was a bit silly. So to save money, wear on our car and the environment we are having a sleepover at Grandads.

Here I am this morning playing with my Duplo bricks.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today it was my 'lunch day' at school. I always eat really slowly so Mummy has to wait for me HA! After school we went to the Shopette and Mummy got me a pre-school activity book. I LOVE those things. After she puts Molly to bed Mummy comes and sits in bed with me and we do activities from the book. I'm getting very good at them. We did look at the dot-to-dot book that you sent me, but it's a bit too complicated for me. It will have to wait until I'm a bit older.

Daddy, I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving day. I wish you were here so we could spend the day together. I miss you. I often sing my 'I miss Daddy' song when I think no one is listening.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today I went to school, it was fun. Then after Mummy collected me we went to base and went to see the ladies in the WIC office. I am 39.5inches tall and 39lbs! I have grown so much!

Here I am eating my yogurt raisins with a pair of play scissors.Earlier today I did try and cut Molly's nose off with these scissors but it didn't work!

It's rainy and cold here Daddy, not like Arizona at all! 

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

We're gradually getting settled into our new house and I LOVE it! I have found all of my old toys and it's nice to have everything that is mine back again - even things like the blankets on my bed! Mummy even found my other 'This' so now, I have both 'This' blankets back! The only thing missing from our lovely house is you Daddy. We are counting down the weeks until we see you again! On Thursday we had to pick up our internet router box from the post office and I told the lady in line behind us 'My Daddy is gone'.

Here I am with Harriet this morning playing in the circus tent that Mummy got me from Ikea!

Here I am again, Mummy says im gorgeous! I tend to agree!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Sorry I haven't written for a while. Things have been a little bit crazy. We got the keys to our new house on Tuesday, we moved some stuff over on Wednesday, more stuff on Thursday and our beds and stuff on Friday. On Friday night we stayed at the new house. Harriet stayed too. We spent all weekend there and sorted out boxes and unpacked. It was SO SO SOOOO fun to see all my toys and books. It was nice to see all your things too as it helped me to understand that you WILL be coming back and our new house is the house you will be coming back to! I even found my 'frog toilet' and was really over joyed!

It was really strange to unpack my dresser and see the drawers still full of the clothes and stuff.

Anyway Daddy, we didnt have Internet at the new house and we've been SO SO busy that I just didnt get a chance to update you.

We miss you SO SO much. Mummy has found it a bit difficult to unpack all your things, that smell of you. She misses you very, very much.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

sorry for missing so many days. We have been busy! I have had a hard week. I suddenly became very tearful and upset. I cried a LOT at school. I miss you SO much and I'm so confused about why you left me. I have become very worried that Mummy is going to leave me too, that's why I get upset at school. Mummy has been very sad. It hurts her heart to see me so sad.

Anyway, on Friday Nana picked me up from school because Mummy and Molly went to sign a new contract for our new house! I'm SO excited to get our own house! We get the keys on Tuesday and will hopefully be sleeping there on Friday or Saturday night!

Today its Guy Fawkes night, everyone has fireworks! We had our own bonfire and watched other peoples fireworks from the meadow!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

This morning we went to Hatfield forest! We had a great time walking around and looking for acorns. Mummy even got me a cookie from the shop! We came home and had lunch and Molly had a nap, then we went out looking for sloes, so Mummy and Jo could make Sloe Gin. We couldn't find many...ok, we couldn't find ANY haha!

Here I am this morning at the forest, stroking some moss!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Sorry I haven't written for a few days. we've been busy. Yesterday we spent the day with Nana (first Mummy drove to base to check the mail and speak to the lady about our new house. On the way home I vomited in my car seat and made it smell HORRIBLE) Today we went to look at the fishies and Christmas decorations at Scotsdales and then went to a special sandwich shop to get my favourite food in the whole wide world - A HAM SANDWICH!!!

We are getting ready for Halloween. On Thursday I helped mummy make bat and pumpkin shaped biscuits and we decorated them!

Just for fun, here is Molly's Halloween photo from last year - are you scared?

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we stayed with Nana while Mummy went to the dentist. While she was on base she checked the mail and picked up the box that you mailed to us!

I was SO excited! I LOVE all the things you sent to me. Mummy read me 3 of the Clifford books for my bedtime story! Thankyou SO much Daddy!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today I carved the pumpkin that we got yesterday! Mummy helped me. I REFUSED to put my hand inside, I had to use a spoon instead!



 Here it is, all finished, do you like it? Tonight we are going to put a candle inside it!!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we went to the Pumpkin Patch. Harriet came. It was really fun! Mummy let me pick a pumpkin for Molly and I and one for George too! I got to push the wheelbarrow! Now I keep asking Mummy 'when are we going back to the pumpkin patch'. I did this last year. I made sure to ask at least 5 times a day until Christmas, I think I might do that again this year too.

After the pumpkin patch we went to eat lunch at Niel and Linda's house, it was really yummy!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Sorry I haven't written for a few days, things have been hectic. At school we have been doing lots of Halloween things. I made a 'stained glass pumpkin' a ghost (shown here). Mummy wanted to take a picture of me WITH the ghost, but I just didn't want that at all. So she took a picture of me separately.

I miss you Daddy,

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

It's really started to get cold here now. For the last 2 days we have had ice on our car in the morning! Mummy is having to try and find all of my long sleeved things as really I seem to just have lots of shorts and t-shirts from when we lived in 'Merica. Grandma sent us a whole package of clothes! Here is Molly in her sleep suit. It's a bit big as Molly is only small (not big like me) but she is still able to wear it and Mummy said it will just last her a long time. 

 At the weekends I help Grandad fix the house. Yesterday and today we have been laying the floor in the two living rooms. It's made of Ash trees. We have to lay the boards down, match them up and then screw them down. I help by passing Grandad the screws and I keep him entertained with my stories. I like helping!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today at school I did lots of painting. Mummy is accumulating a huge box of all my art work. When you come home you can look at everything I have done!

Molly also drew a picture today - she did NOT want Mummy to take a photo though (as you can see). Everyday at around 4pm she starts getting really tired and fussy. She just stands at Mummy's legs saying 'up, up, up' as Mummy cooks dinner. When you come home you can pick her 'up, up, up'

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday Grandad took me to school. Mummy's car was getting fixed so I rode in his truck! It was so fun! After school I went to Nana's house and played with Harriet as she was at home because she had a cold.

Today I had a lovely morning at school. I did leaf prints and painting. I'm learning LOTS of new songs too!

Here is Molly cheesin' for you. She misses you SO much.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

It's getting really autumnal here. The skies are cloudy and it's damp and getting darker earlier. The clocks go back soon too.

Yesterday we went to Cambridge to go shopping. We went on the Park and Ride bus. I LOVED it but Mummy wasnt so sure. It was very crowded and we had to wait a LONG time for the bus to take us home.

Here I am this afternoon playing in the sand while Molly naps.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

It's been a good few days at school. Yesterday when Mummy picked me up I was in different clothes. My teacher told her how id blocked the sink up in the bathroom and drenched myself in water. I found it very fun, but Mummy says it was 'very naughty'. 

Today Mummy picked me up early from school. I was NOT happy about this. I cried and cried as I had to leave my friends. I HATE it when she picks me up early! We went to the base for Mummy to see the dentist. It was VERY boring and me and Molly had to wait in the car with Nana for over an hour - Ugh! BORING!

Here is Molly yesterday in my old Halloween outfit. It's too small for me now, but Molly likes it!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

A few weeks ago mummy got me a jar of caterpillars that I checked on everyday and watched them turn into chrysalis and then two days ago they changed into butterflies. This morning it was time to let them go. I got a bit emotional as I didn't quite understand that I couldn't keep them forever.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today was another really hot day! we played outside a lot! Nana Jo even got the trampoline out for us! I also went to play in the river for a while with Mummy and Molly.

Here we are in the sun on the trampoline!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today was SO hot. The hottest October day since records began if you must know! Mummy took out the paddling pool and blew it up, I filled it with the hose and it was just like being back in 'Merica. I really enjoyed playing in the freezing water.

Mummy weighed me today, I have put on 5lbs since being here and eating all the yummy English food. I now weigh 37lbs!! almost as much as you Daddy!! Molly has also put on weight, but only 1.5lbs. She weighs 20lbs and 12oz!

Here she is yesterday talking to you!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Again, great day at school for me! I'm always really hot a sweaty when Mummy picks me up as I do so much running around!  After school we went to Nana's house and she gave me my favourite lunch of mini sausages! We then came home and I napped for a while as I was so exhausted.

 Molly has been saying even more words. Today she said 'bye bye' but it sounds more like 'die die' - but that's OK. She really loved talking to you on Skype today.

Molly thinks that you live in the computer, this video shows what she does when you say 'where's Daddy?' Mummy thought it was sweet! Hope you like it!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Another good day at school, I made a mouse! I have also got some crazy bruises on my legs from all the tricycle riding and climbing that I do!

Molly is having a word explosion this week. She has gone from only saying 'Daddoo, poo, and up' to saying almost anything you tell her now. Today she said 'cheese' and 'bat'. We were at the commissary and she copied Mummy by saying 'bat' when she saw the Halloween stuff. The video shows her saying 'cheese', although, at the time she also had a mouthful of cheese so it might be a bit hard to hear. (video to come - wont upload GRRRR!!)

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

I have had a good few days at school. We play outside a lot and I have got MUCH better at riding on a tricycle. I can peddle and steer now.

 Molly has a cold. She hasn't been sleeping well and has a very runny nose. Poor Mummy is very tired, however I have enjoyed waking up at the crack of dawn, just to ensure she really does get as little sleep as possible. I feel it builds her character and really helps to push her limits.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,


Today we went to Nana's house. We went out for a pub lunch and I was a good boy and ate a lot. After that we went to Tesco. I love going to Nana's as there is always lot of people to play with and N has also made the shed into a 'playroom'.

Here I am this afternoon on the swing. Mummy thought this was a nice photo of me. I hope you do too. Today at bedtime I said 'I just want my Daddy'. I really miss you and enjoyed being able to Skype you today and yesterday.

Love Sam xxx