Sam Turns Five

Dear Sam,

Happy birthday!

I've known you now for five years, and it's safe to say that you are one of the best people I have ever met. You are so kind. Everyone who meets you tells us that, and your teachers especially like to tell us that you are one of the sweetest boys they have had the pleasure to know. You love to help them out and you treat your school friends with respect and generosity. You are just the kind of kid I would have loved to have had in my own classroom, so I know what they mean.

You don't always show that same attitude of respect at home, but that's okay. Home is your testing ground. But even when you get that crazy face of yours and make those indescribable noises at the top of your lungs, we love having you around. You make our lives so fun. Your sense of humor has really blossomed this year, and I love that you get my worst jokes. And you make so many of your own really good jokes now. My favorite part of each day is just sitting with you over lunch, telling stories and sorting out the questions of the world (like "What does resistance mean?").

You've also become quite a musician this year. You continue to love to play that out-of-tune guitar of yours, and lately you've been creating your own songs. I recorded you singing one the other week about "going down the highway," which is great because I'm sure every good songwriter has a song about a highway. We gave you an accordion for your birthday today, and I can't wait to hear what kind of songs that new instrument will inspire.

Your absolute favorite thing in the world, though, is Legos. Christmas was a Lego bonanza for you, and I can't believe you put together (with some help) an entire Millennium Falcon (which is all you talk about now even though you had never even heard of it two weeks ago).Your Papa knew you would love that gift, appropriate age-ranges be darned.

It is the greatest gift of my life to see you with your sister. As you know, she adores you. I asked her the other day if she was "Mama's little girl," and she said, "No, Fam." As in, she's Fam's little girl. She frustrates you at least once each day, but you do your best to be patient and when you are not, she holds her own pretty well. You're quite a little team, and it's a joy to watch the two of you in action.

I wish you the happiest of 5th birthdays, Sammo. I am so lucky to be your mom.

Love,
Mom