Super Sam is FIVE!

This kid is FIVE!

I cannot believe it. In some ways, the time has flown, but on the other hand, it just seems like yesterday that we were bringing home our second little--scratch that and replace it with big--bundle of joy.

His day is very much like the day we had just 3 weeks ago to celebrate Jon's 7th birthday, because he adores his big brother. And while he wanted similar gifts, he is definitely his own boy. We started off with our traditional pancakes in the number of how old you are now:

Then we opened presents with Daddy before he had to go to work.

He got the same two gifts as Jon: Camelbak backpack for bike rides and goggles

This summer we've spent lots of time at one of two pools with our good friends. Almost every week we would get together and swim. The kids--and the moms--are sad that pool weather is coming to an end, but thankfully our weekly Bible study is starting back up, so we'll still get to spend time together on a regular basis. :) Sam really wanted to swim at "Mrs. Horton's in-the-ground pool with Dean and Ava," and he wanted to bring home a frog. Daddy said yes to the frog, much to Mom's dismay!

We wrapped up the day with dinner at Bob Evan's with Grammy and PopPop. Once again, just surviving a meal out with Will meant not even thinking about taking pictures, even though I had purposefully brought the camera. Then we came home and the boys played a little MarioKart on the Wii before bed. Somewhere in there we ate cupcakes, too. And right before bed, I asked him the same questions that I asked Jon. Here are his answers:
~What is your name? Sam
~And how old are you? 5
~Does being 5 make you feel? Good
~What do you want to learn this year? How to swim
~What was the best thing about being 4? Going to Kings Island
~What did you do today? Went swimming and to Bob Evan's
~What was your favorite gift that you received? Goggles with a snorkle and Camelbak Backpack
~What is your favorite color? Blue-green
~What is your favorite food? Chocolate Chip Pancakes
~Who is your favorite person? Can I have 3? Jon, Will and Dean
~What grade are you in? Kindergarten
~What is your favorite thing to do at school? Phonics
~What is your favorite game to play? Settlers
~What do you like to do with Daddy? Play the game where he throws us on the couch
~What do you like to do with Mommy? Snuggle (my personal favorite answer)
~What do you like to do with Jon? A lot of things...almost everything
~What do you like to do with Will? the game where we chase him around the house
~What’s your favorite thing to do with the whole family? Bike rides and then getting ice cream together
~What’s your favorite store? Target in the dollar section or any store where you can get stuff for a dollar (ha!)
~What’s your favorite place to eat? Bob Evan's
~What’s your favorite book? Funny Farm Joke Book
~What’s your favorite song? Me Without You (by Toby Mac)
~What’s your favorite Bible verse? The one we're learning now for Defender's of the Faith at church, Romans 5:1. I can't remember how it goes yet though... (for any curious ones: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ.)
~What’s your favorite thing about God ? that Jesus died on the cross and saved us from our sins.
~What do you want to be when you grow up? An artist...or a race car driver

My Sam, he's fiercely independent one minute and wanting to be on my lap snuggling the next. He can be supremely generous with his brothers, but still struggles with sharing from time to time. He LOVES anything sports related and is pretty athletic. He can read more than he'd let on, but would rather go ride his bike or play with someone. Still speaks with some of his words pronounced wrong and wants to suck his two middle fingers and have his blankie a lot, but as much as I try to fight it, he's growing up! I'm so thankful he's my son! Happy fifth birthday, sweet Sam!