On Sunday, January 16, my grandpa turned 97.  And he’s still got a lot left in him!  Samuel and I were able to attend a brunch in his honor at the Grand America Hotel.  The band moved themselves over to our tables to play Happy Birthday, and much of the restaurant joined in on the singing.  It was a fun morning for a very special man.

This was the kids’ station.  After finding pancakes and fiiiiiinally hunting down some syrup, this was Sam’s favorite place to go back to.  He loved those fruit skewers.  I stopped counting at his twelfth.  A table between where we sat and the kids’ station starting keeping their eyes open and watching for Sam.  They laughed and waved every time he walked by with a few more in his hands.

I love Samuel’s age right now for his appreciation and understanding of what’s going on.  It’s so fun to make a big deal out of everything now that he’s definitely old enough to “get it.”  Halloween has been a lot of fun with Sam.  We’ve read lots of books, done so many different crafts, and talked about it tons.  One morning I bought spider webs while Samuel was at school.  He could barely wait for Owen’s nap time when I promised we could decorate.  And guess where Sam chose to decorate?  His room!  When Owen woke up, Sam and I were still going strong, now making spiders to add to the webs.  We all had so much fun talking about spooky Halloween things, deciding just where to put each web (I was hesitant to put them over the picture of Jesus, but Sam won), and naming all the fuzzy spiders.  Once our spooky masterpiece was complete, Samuel and I concocted a plan.  Sam called his Daddy, now on his way home from work.  “Dad!!!  You gotta come home quick, Mom is FREAKING OUT!  There are spiders all over my room.  A big mommy spider and lots of baby spiders.  Hurry home!”  He hung up, we high fived, and waited amidst fits of giggles.  Erik walked in the front door, and Sam was still totally playing it up.  Erik called from downstairs, “What do you want me to bring up to get them??”  He came walking up the stairs with a whole roll of paper towels.  Then Sam jumped out and shouted, “Surprise!”  And we all had a pretty good laugh.

Then this week for Family Home Evening, we carved pumpkins.  Once Sam saw what was inside, he had no desire to be involved.  He opted to color his pumpkin and poke holes in it.  But I think when he realized how into it Erik and I were getting, Sam jumped back on board.  He scooped all the gook out, chose and taped his pattern, poked and cut with minimal help, and TA DA!  Samuel’s first jack-o-lantern.

{Sidenote.  Fully aware I use the word “fun” at least 8 times every post.  I could use a thesaurus I guess.}

September 4, 2010

Erik got some tickets to a Real Salt Lake MLS Soccer game for the second time.  The first time, just the two of us went with another couple.  We got to sit in a box, have unlimited hot dogs, popcorn, soda, and dessert, and enjoy the good company and a view.  This time, with “regular” tickets, we figured it would be fun to bring Samuel.  He was very excited about the idea of a night out with just Mom and Dad while Owen stayed home with the babysitter.  We did make Samuel take a nap before we left since we knew it would be a late night.  When we woke him up to leave, Sam was grumpy and whined he didn’t want to go to a soccer game.  He got over that fast.  So we drove up to Sandy, waited for the bus, and then rode over to the stadium.  It was a really fun night with hot dogs, nachos, snow cones, and even a special ball just for Sam.  Samuel enjoyed turning around and watching the big screen.  He also thought it was cool to see the lion mascot do handspring flips and throw the ball.  Of course, Sam was a little nervous about the noise and covered his ears half the time, but he still really got into the cheering and waving and clapping. 

On the drive home, Samuel clutched his new soccer ball on his lap and talked the whole way back.  I think it was a good night.