Happy 5th birthday Sammy!

 

I probably ask this on every birthday post, but honestly, can anyone tell me where the time goes???  Actually, I ask this almost everyday!!!  The boys are just growing up so fast and it makes me happy that they are developping into great fun people, but also sad that I no longer have the cuddly baby by my side at all times.

Sammy has grown a lot physically and emotionally this past year.  Physically, because he is eating more (a tiny bit but more is more) and emotionally, due to the fact that his big brother role has expanded and Jasper depends on him more and more everyday and because he is a P1 student, an awesome responsiblity in the eyes of a 5 year old boy.

 

 

Still cautious in nature, even warning Mommy to be careful when she climbs on the counter to reach something in a top cupboard, but willing to take more chances like wading in the ocean and jumping off the couch, which to be truthful, I think is Jasper's influence on him (the couch part, not the ocean part).  He can be a goofy, as seen in some pictures and jokes around (lots of "just kidding" or "just tricking you" in this house) but is mainly a reserved and sensitive kid, especially around non-family members.  The Mommy in me always wants to defend him in public, explaining that he is not being rude, just being shy when he does not speak to them.  There are so many good things I can say about Sam because he really is a good kid.  The only time he gives us "trouble" is when he is overtired or hungry.  I would say that 99% of the time, when we explain the reason why we are disciplining him, he understands and puts an honest effort into improving his attitude.  I want to say that he is a people-pleaser like Mommy, but it really is his Daddy's easy-going nature that he inherited and displaying (especially when it comes to giving into things for his *ahem stubborn* little brother)  As you can see, he always has a great smile for Mommy's camera.  At his 5 year appointment with Dr. Bates, Sam measured 3'7" and 38 1/2 lbs.

Sam has a great imagination and loves to dress up and build forts and tents around the house and on the porch, causing the rest of the family to have to watch out for the hot lava and fireballs protecting the surroundings of the fort.  Sam also loves to hide and sometimes it takes quite awhile for Mommy and Daddy to find him in our tiny house!  Lego has become increasingly prevalent in our household as well and I often find Sam making up cool conversations between all the Lego characters.

The party day matched up to his actual birthday this year so we started the day with opening one present (a cool Bakugan robot from Uncle John!) before going to school with the cupcakes we made the night before for all his classmates.  After school, we had the party at Kids Zone...yes, again!  As much as the kids love the Kids Zone, I think we have had our last birthday party there this year as the kids are getting too big!  We'll have to be creative and think of a new venue next year. 

 

 

 

Sammy decided to have a Mario themed birthday over the summer, partially because then Mommy could prepare and get all the supplies while we were still in Canada.  Daddy used his fantastic cake decorating skills and turned out another beautful colorful cake for our birthday boy.  Sammy discovered Mario a few months prior to his birthday on you tube.  A lot of gamers film their games and post them for other gamers to watch and Sam just found this as fascinating as playing the game, maybe even more so!

 

 

Part of the deal when opening presents, is that Sam has to pose with the gift so that Mommy can take a picture and send it to the generous friend with a thank you note.  The pictures got a bit silly along the way but that is part of 5 year old Sam.  Grandpa Ken and Grandma Cheryl sent some birthday money in a card and Grandma Paulette sent both boys each a musical birthday card so that Jasper did not feel left out.  Katie and Abby gave Sam a goldfish whom he appropriately named "Goldie" (which I later found out is the same name as their classroom fish).  The boys were pretty excited about Goldie and showed him all the new toys and Jasp even asked if he could take Goldie to bed with him.  Sammy was so spoiled in the presents department that we had to cut the present opening into two segments.  The following day, Daddy was home and the boys got to start on the construction of the new Ninjago temple Sammy asked from Mommy and Daddy.  Not too bad turing a year older when you are 5 years old!