The life o' Sam

What's so Funny, Sam?

I love hearing my kids laugh. Hearing one of those laughs that seems to come straight from the toes seriously makes my day. It's only when they're really quiet that I get worried. What is it that's keeping them occupied for so long that doesn't involve food or a screen or me? Especially Sam--the typical first child who doesn't like to ever do anything alone. Hmmmm.....for example the other day when Tinkerbell got a haircut they had been very quiet. "I like it that way, Mom!" Lucy told me emphatically when I caught Sam with scissors in his hand and beautiful golden locks all over the place. But sometimes laughter is a bad sign. If they've disappeared for awhile and suddenly start laughing uncontrollably, that can only mean one thing. They're doing something they think is very funny and mom probably wouldn't agree. This time, it wasn't so bad.

Ben had been holding the hose while it was turned off, so Sam decided to turn it on and Lucy happened to be in the way. Ben didn't know what the heck was going on and Lucy didn't mind getting wet. It's only when the laughing is followed by someone else crying that it's really a nasty prank someone's pulling. Usually they're pouring water on Ben. They really like doing stuff with water. Sam is definitely the ring leader of all their shenanigans, so that's why he earned this post.

As fast as a jet!

Sam loves riding his bike! The video says it all. And you get to catch a glimpse of Lucy riding her bike in her ballerina costume. She lived in that thing for the week we borrowed it. But this is Sam's post--listen closely for his own theme music as he rides as fast as a jet!

I just found this little gem of a video. And don't worry, I helped Sam load Ben up.

Prayers

I didn't feel right sneaking a pic during his prayer, so you'll just have to imagine this happening. But here are some of Sam's most often prayed for things (at the table and at bed time):

"Please bwess that I sleep good. Please bwess I don't see any spooky shadows."

"Please bwess Lucy stops eating during the prayer."

"Bwess Lucy she can be quiet during the prayer and fold her arms."

"Bwess the food. Bwess Daddy drives home from work safe. And bwess the food."

We're working on the "I'm grateful for" part, but I'm just glad he's enthusiastic about praying!

Father's and Sons

Sam and Chris had the time of their lives hiking around at the fathers and sons campout recently. They camped at Big Bear in a tent (with the DVD player hooked up, of course, so that Sam and his friend Carter could watch Goofy before bed). Sam came home filthy and exhausted and begging for more.

Chris told him to point so he pointed.

We don't own warm clothes beyond this red fleece hoody, so he had to borrow his nursery leader's leather coat to keep from freezing in the morning.

Our failed attempt at a Father's Day song.

"Sam, how about you sing you Father's Day song and I'll video it for Grandpa?"
"No."
"How about you hide and sing it and I'll move Ben's mouth so it looks like he's singing?"
"OK" (with a little giggle).
Our first attempt:

"I know! How about I draw a face on your chin and you can sing upside down. It looks really silly and Grandpa Frank will love it!"
"OK, Mom" (with the same giggle).

Our second attempt (and yes it's only a picture because that's as far as we got):

"I'm scared when my eyes are covered."
"I'll give you an ice cream!"
"No!"

I tried. I really did.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

The Big 04

The paper chain finally ended and his birthday came! Sam turned 4 last month, and boy oh boy did he rake in the gifts! But really, he had a great day. We went to John's Incredible Pizza Co. with his cousins. Amy and Danny even came out for the event. We made a racecar cake which Danny decorated (what a well-rounded guy!). Grandpa Frank shared some words of wisdom with Sam about how he should try to stay four for the next 17 years and then just straight to 21, because after four things start going south. We also got to celebrate with Grandma Nellie and preschool friends on other days, so it seemed like a birthday week! He still tells me daily what he wants for his next birthday.