Samuel turned 7!
It is so hard to believe.
For his birthday all he wanted to do was play a giant football game with as many friends as he could. So together we made a BYU football invitation and then invited all his buddies to meet us at the Rec Center the day before his birthday for a game and party.
I hope he had so much fun. The 1.5 hours flew by with 14 or so six and seven year old boys running around. We let them kick field goals. Then we split into two teams, I had made flags, and played flag football. The boys are not actually good, but I think they had fun. Sam had planned the whole party with me, but i did have one surprise. After the game I pulled out a trophy and announced that Sam was the MVP of the game. He didn't know about this part, and I think he liked it. Kate, Mari and Beth were great cheerleaders and helpers. Then we went to the Rec Center party room and ate cake and opened presents. That was pretty much the party. Sam got like 8 footballs. Which was kind of funny and kind of sad, but he was kind about it thankfully.
The next day on his actual birthday he wanted me to bring Reeces Peanut Butter Cups in for his class so I did. But he didn't want to go to lunch with me when I asked, he wanted to eat lunch with his friends.
After school we had the dress rehearsal for the wizard of Oz play. Which is why we mostly celebrated the day before. He spent three plus hours practicing the play. After Dad met us at Arby's- Sam's choice for dinner. Than finally he got to go home and open his presents from us. To be fair Sam hadn't seemed too happy at all on his birthday and that was making me sad. But then we all stayed up together until 11pm putting together his new giant firehouse lego set. And he got to stay up extra late with just Dad and I finishing it. And that was the best part. Sam thought so too.
I love this guy Sam with all my heart. It is so hard to see him getting older. He is still a tender heart and I know that the older he gets the less boys around him are like that. As I sent invitations to his friends at school- kids I don't know, I heard back from several mom's that they were so grateful for Sam because " he was the only friend their son has" or "we are new and Sam has been so kind to my son at school" "my son talks about Sam every day so I'm glad to finally meet you". It is clear that Sam has many best friends. He is honestly just a good friend to everyone- and it seems especially people who are lonely, shy or new. What more could I ask of the guy! I understand why everyone seems to like Sam too. He doesn't have to be the center of attention and is great at letting others be the star. Which not many kids, or even adults know how to do. If his friend scores a goal on him while they are playing soccer outside he tells his friend good job. If his friends in the neighborhood are playing football and one of them wants to be the quarterback, he lets them. If one of the kids at school is struggling with the Centers assignment, they ask him for help. I have seen it at school. And he doesn't make fun of them because he is done and they can't even read the instructions. He just helps them. Everybody needs a friend like Sam, and I'm so glad he is one of my best friends forever.
He is a wonderful leader, though quiet, he leads by example, encouragement and kindness. Another thing adults even struggle with. He is good to his sisters, and girl cousins, and girl neighbors. Sadly he is surrounded by girls, when all he wants to do is play tackle football all the time. I can see Sam growing up to have great pieces of me in him (like his ability to befriend everyone) and great pieces of his Dad (his love of sports, his way of leadership, his intelligence,) and great pieces of himself- his spiritual focus, his making other's feel awesome about themselves.. Sometimes he has hard days too. He is a little emotional and isn't sure what to do when he is frustrated. But he is working on it. That is really his only flaw. He is the smartest 1st grader in his school. I'm pretty sure. When I go to teacher conferences the teachers just tell him to make sure he writes down his work in math because although he can do everything in his head super fast, they want him to write everything out. He is currently reading White Fang at night in his bed. And he is so responsible about his homework and really everything else. There is no better son in the world. I'm grateful to be his Mom and grateful for all he has already taught me. This year I'm going to try to be even more like Sam and help other people shine. I love you to the moon my Sam!
