Dear Samuel,
Today I heard you wake up at 8:00. Your little brother was miraculously still sleeping, so I decided to wait for you to come get me out of bed. As I fell back to sleep, I heard you playing and talking and making noise, and didn’t think much of it. Forty five minutes later, I heard Owen wake up. I came downstairs to find you snuggled up on the sofa with your blankets, the TV on, a stool pushed up to the counter, a cup of milk and a yogurt on your table, and Dad’s RC truck (that is kept hidden in his office) in the middle of the floor. You greeted me with “Hi, Mommy, I’m awake!” and I wanted time to stop for just a little bit. How did you grow up so fast?
Your imagination is out of this world, and listening to you play is one of my life’s little pleasures. I am fascinated by the things you come up with, I am blown away by the stories you create, and I am so entertained by all the funny and smart things you say. You love to help and want to be involved in everything that goes on around you. You have a few good friends who you talk about all the time, and who you often ask to play with. Just a few weeks ago, your little buddy Nathan knocked on our door and asked if you could come out and ride bikes. How did you grow up so fast?
Dad calls you Master of the Obvious when you say things like “Hi Mom, I’m sitting in the window” as you sit in the window, “Dad, I got out your truck to play with” as you play with Dad’s truck, “I’m awake” as if we might think otherwise after hearing you crash your monster trucks in the window for the 67th time, or when you holler from the bathroom, “I’m going pee-pee now!!” We sure can’t fault you for your honesty. But how did you grow up so fast?
You now enjoy going to Sunbeams every Sunday. You are learning so many things about the gospel and your prayers are so sweet. I was surprised when I sang the Primary song we’ve been learning this month, and you knew the whole thing. You ask to go to the library almost every day. Each time, you know exactly what books you want to look up –sharks, monster trucks, and dinosaurs are your favorite. You love to read books with us—always before a nap and bedtime— but you will also sit quietly and read to yourself. Most of your favorite books you can “read” word for word. You get so excited going to preschool each week. I am always proud to watch you bounce in the door with your little backpack, and a little bit sad that you don’t even need to look back. How did you grow up so fast?
You are opinionated, stubborn, and so very bossy. You stomp your foot and tell me “NO!” more times a day than I can count, you push my buttons, you take me to the limit and then a little bit farther, and when I say “Samuel, you do that one more time . . . !“ you look me dead in the eye. And do it one more time. How did you grow up so fast?
Samuel, I’ve said it from the day you were born. You are the smartest, brightest, cutest, funniest, most amazing little boy I know. You bring a very special light to our family, and we are so blessed to have you. Oh, how I love you! Don’t grow up too fast.
Love, Mom
{You love to proudly display your work on the fridge. You also think it’s funny to hold something in front of your face when I want to take your picture.}
{We’ve decided that you and your baby brother’s bums are the same size. You get so mad when your pants slip down.}
{“I’m skiing in the Lympics!”}
{Racing slot cars with Daddy.}
{Yes, we really do love you!}
And it was such a delight to stand in the doorway and be an observer. Look at how into Erik is. Look at Owen’s hat that he won’t go a day without wearing. Look at Sam who insists on dressing himself. Look at how intense all of them are, and how seriously they are taking their fun. Look at how blessed I am to call all three of these guys mine! Love love love.
