This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place
Finally for the post you have been waiting for, Samuel's birthday. My little boy has turned five! I told him that I would wake him up on his birthday and say, "Oh no, where is my baby!"
Always the problem solver he replied, "I will leave you a note to tell you that I am a big boy."
He really has grown so much. He is a smart and handsome boy and we are so blessed to have him. He has made us worry, but he has overcome each challenge with such spunk. We have cried together, but as much as we have cried we have laughed. He has a wonderful sense of humor.
We have learned together and truly he has taught David and I as much as we have taught him. We love Samuel so much and we are so glad he is part of our family!
His birthday theme this year has been Star Wars. On Saturday we went to Hollywood Studios and he got to participate in the Padawan Training. He did an amazing job. For those who really know Samuel, you know that he is painfully shy. However, he fully participated in the training. He listened to the Jedi Master and he bravely fought Darth Vader!
Listening to the Jedi Master
Listening at watching
Following the Jedi Master's instruction
Practice
Samuel also got many cards from his grand parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He loves to get mail and it really made his day each time he would get a letter. On Saturday the only mail we received was for him and he thought that was great.
Here are some pictures of the cake and presents. Tomorrow we are going to take cupcakes to Samuel's class and each of the children in the class will get to take up a light saber made from a pool noodle! (That idea was inspired by my sister who made them for my nephew's birthday party - Samuel thinks they are very cool!)
So proud that he got to put the candles on
Cool candles that have cool flames (they burn different colors)
Blowing out the candles
The presents
Bow & Arrow Samuel bought with money from Grandma Teddy
For Valentine's Day this year, Sheriff Samuel got his horse Bullseye. Bullseye is the cutest, softest pillow you could ever imagine and Samuel loves him.
Samuel started a dance class at his school in October and he has loved it. He gets to go twice a week and his teacher, Ms Darla, is so much fun. For Christmas they did a little dance preview. We are so excited because they have a big recital coming up in May.
Samuel and I love to make cookies together. Samuel is a good helper. This year for Christmas we made sugar cookies - Samuel picked out some cookie cutters and made the shapes. We also made some in the shape of melted snowmen!
In December we were blessed with the opportunity to go on a cruise with two of Samantha's sisters and their families. It was so much fun and Samuel still talks about it. He loved going on the ship and he really wants to do it again. Here are some of the highlights.
Playing in Andy's Room at the Oceaneers Club
Relaxing in a port hole
Eating dinner with cousins - and coloring on the table!
Pirate Party
Pirate Party
Castaway Cay
The ship we sailed on at Castaway Cay
Santa also visted the cruise ship and Samuel was so excited to get to talk to him. This is the first year that Samuel sat on Santa's lap AND actually spoke to him!
David found a great coupon for a Go Kart ride. Samuel absolutely loved it. David and I both drove and Samuel rode with me. He cheered and kept yelling for me to go faster so that we could beat David. We laughed so hard together. I had never gone on a go cart before and it was so much fun!
