Sam is 9!

Our big kid turned nine today...how on earth?! I mean, are we really halfway to sending him off to college?! :-O

Sam enjoyed hearing all about what was happening nine years ago when I tucked him into bed last night. Doesn't everyone love "their story"?? Well, Sammy is no exception and his story is one of our ultimate favorites, too. He especially liked hearing how the whole family dropped everything to be there for his arrival. Such an amazing day with four generations present.

Tony and I both have spotty memories when it comes to our third-grade selves. We weren't into NASCAR, Thomas Jefferson, the Titanic, military weaponry, rocks and gems or Minecraft like Sammy is, but we certainly thought we knew it all! We also were independent, but still not necessarily inclined to do things without being prompted. Sam is very much like this. He wants all the freedom of a college kid, but with few responsibilities. He can navigate the neighborhood on his own, stay in the house for short periods of time unsupervised, and makes his bed and folds his PJs without us asking nearly every morning (all training for when he'll be a great roommate one day, right?)...

but helping out around the house, treating his younger brother with kindness most of the time, and taking a deep breath before lashing out when he doesn't get his way are all still foreign. Some days we're making progress, while others simply fall very short. It's a process, right??

Part of this evolution of Sammy is how he is no longer the easy-going toddler that he once was. He's a good student and friend, and he adores babies, but Tony and I definitely miss his sweet, younger self. He's still our little foodie, but the kid cannot share a toy to save his life. His favorite song this year was "Blue Da Ba Dee," but he doesn't like when the rest of us sing along when it's on the radio. He is, as always, silly and fun-loving (yay!), but he still can't take a joke to save his life. Luckily, he has been showing signs of being able to roll with the punches more as he matures, so there's hope!

And speaking of SILLY, here are some pics of who Sammy is as represented through his egregious use of the photo booth at the Hanukkah party we attended on Saturday night. I think you'll see what I mean.

Funny, charming and very true to himself. Happy 9th Birthday, Sammy!

We love you!!

P.S. Sammy celebrated earlier in the month with a fun trip to the local indoor water park. He and buddy Eli had a blast on all of the slides and flumes, and then cleaned up at the arcade, too.