November 21, 2011

Samuel has been doing lots of Thanksgiving stuff at school this month.  To celebrate all they had learned and prepared, the kids had a special feast on their last day of school before the break.  Everyone got to bring his or her own snack or treat to share.  Without a moment of hesitation, Samuel knew the day he brought home his November calendar that he wanted to bring chips and guacamole.  We bought the avocados on the Friday before, and I cannot even tell you how many times between then and Monday afternoon Samuel asked if it was time to make the guacamole yet.  What a goof!

It’s been an awesome first year for Samuel in preschool.  He has grown and learned a lot.  He has made new friends and really loved his teacher, Ms Laura.  Last week was Samuel’s last day.  It’s been such a great experience.  For all of us.  I am already panicking about what we are going to do. All. Summer. Long.

For Samuel’s end of the year preschool program, the classes put on a little play.  It was a cute version of Hansel and Gretel.  The two oldest kids were Hansel and Gretel, then everyone else was a kid who got turned into gingerbread by the wicked witch.  Samuel has been practicing at school and at home for a while.  I have loved listening to him sing the songs and do his little dance.  Come show time, well . . . as parents we had that moment (or several of them) when you kind of half chuckle half sink in you chair and say, “Yeah, that’s my kid.”  Sam was a goofball and got a bit silly with some of his friends several times.  He also sneaked off to pick candy from the house every time he got bored.

Yep, that’s our Sam. 

Giving his frozen gingerbread kid pose.  This makes me laugh.

Best Buddy Jacob.  These two are trouble.  But so so cute.

The wicked witch’s candy house.

February 24, 2011

Instead of their normal sharing day, Samuel’s class had a special Pet Parade.  Samuel was really excited about it.  He has tons of “pets,” from dinosaurs and tigers to bears and dogs.  But I wasn’t surprised when he chose his monkeys to bring.  He is pretty attached to his big brown monkey.  So Samuel got to fill out a little questionarre about his pet and bring that with him.  It was fun to ask Sam the questions and hear his answers.  His pets’ names?  George, and George’s dad, George.  Favorite thing to eat?  Bananas and bugs.  Favorite toy?  Cars and trucks.  Favorite place to go?  The zoo.  Cool pet trick?  Swing from the trees with their arms and tails.  At the end of the day, each of the kids came home with an award.  Sam won Coolest Pet Trick. 

Samuel, quite the monkey himself, and his Georges.

When we were finished, Owen said, “My turn!  Shark!!”  (To which Sam always responds with increased annoyance, “It’s not a SHARK, Owen, it’s a orca whale!!!”)

Can I just tell you how wild I am about these boys?  Crazy crazy crazy about them.  I really think they’re the cutest.

January 21, 2011

Samuel’s preschool had a fun field trip planned for a little tour of our community.  They had prepared for it, and talked about it lots.  Samuel was very excited!  First up was the best part . . . the Fire Station!!  Samuel got to climb onto the old firetruck and give it a beep before we were greeted by Fireman Ben.  He showed us around the station and we got to wave to some other firemen.  Sam was in the back, but he didn’t stay there for long.  After a few minutes, he had to be reminded to stand back a little bit.  He was just so excited. 

Then Fireman Ben talked about fire safety and different tools.  He pulled out the smoke alarm and asked, “Does anyone know what this is?”  Samuel and Owen both immediately covered their ears.  Fireman Ben laughed and said, “I guess you guys do!”  The coolest part was when he started putting on his fire gear.  Sam was giddy.  “Hey, I already have fireman boots!”  Ben thought that was cool.  Fireman Ben explained about each piece as he put it on.  By the time he got his helmet on, Sam was about to bounce right through the roof with excitement.  When he was all dressed up and started talking again, Sam said “He sounds like Darth Vader!”  We had to leave quickly after that, so with a high five for Fireman Ben and a quick peak at the biggest fire truck, we were on to the library.

Point of fact: There are no red fire trucks in Springville.

We got to the library for story time.  We’ve been there several times before on our own, but it was still very exciting for Sam to be there with his preschool friends.  With our huge group, and the normal group that is already fairly big for our teeny tiny library, it was packed!!  I couldn’t even see Sam the whole time while O and I sat in the back.  Story time was about snowmen.  They had a darling snowman puppet and tried to find him the perfect nose.  It was a lot of fun.  When it was over, there were marshmallows, pretzels, and M&Ms for the kids to make their own snowmen.

After a snack and potty break, we were on to the Police Station.  Sam was quick to point out, “I’ve been here before!  My mom had to pay a naughty ticket.  Remember that, Mom?”  Officer Joe came out and showed us around.  First was the dispatch center.  It was nice of Sam not to point out that’s where his Mom had to call when she locked the baby in the freezing car at WalMart.  Then we got to visit a detainment cell.  The kids all thought it was pretty cool to go to jail.  Officer Joe even put hand cuffs on one of the little boys.  After that, we went out to the garage to see the motorcycles and squad car.  Joe turned on the lights AND the sirens.  Even with lots of warning, my boys were wearing out and they were NOT happy about that.  Sam got a quick sit in the back of the car before it was time to hand in our preschool name tags and head back home.

We had a great morning learning about our community, and Sam had lots to report to his Dad that night.  Later that afternoon when he was out with Mormor, he pointed out the fire and police stations.  I think he really enjoyed it!

December 21, 2010

So after a busy day in the snow, we got ready for Samuel’s very first preschool program.  Samuel was very excited.  So was I.  It’s one of those things that makes me feel like a real parent.  I got to walk Sam over to where all the kids were meeting while Erik and Owen got us some second row seats.  After a few minutes, the kids came marching out, ready to share their usual morning songs and routine.  After that, they went off stage and came back marching in like toy soldiers.  They recited something from Babes in Toyland, and then sang several Christmas songs, including motions, actions, and a few props.  Samuel knew most of the stuff pretty well.  (I had been hearing him practice Jingle Bells and Up On the House Top for weeks.)  My favorite part was when he held his belly and leaned back for “Oh ho ho, who wouldn’t go?”  When all the songs were done, we had a surprise visit from Santa and Mrs Claus.  All of the preschool kids got to visit with them.  After that, we grabbed some cookies, looked around and collected Sam’s Christmas art pieces hanging on the wall, and brought home the present he had made and wrapped for us.  

I still don’t know how my Sam Baby got so grown up.  It was such a delight to watch him interact and perform.  In between each act, Sam was always chatting with someone, and at the end Erik wondered what Sam could possibly have to say, and say so much of!  I sure love this bright, cheery, outgoing little man of mine!

December 16, 2010

Samuel was so super duper excited about Candy House Day at preschool.  I had kept him at home the Tuesday before it, and he was really nervous he might miss it.  On the Thursday, Sam helped me choose from the baking stash (I’m so lame the we didn’t go buy something special!!) and he brought candy corns left over from Halloween (told you I was lame!) and some chocolate covered marshmallows.  When school was over, Samuel came out carrying his house and charging full sprint towards the car yelling, “Look, Mom, look!!”  I jumped out of the car and screamed “SLOW DOWN!!!”  I could totally see him face planting right into his beautiful candy house on the cement.  Sam insisted on holding it the drive home, and I kept hearing Owen say, “Share!  Treat share!”  Five short minutes later, we were home and the house was definitely lacking in candy.  Samuel was still more than happy and oh so proud to pose for a picture with his candy house creation.