Sam, from My Perspective

Sam is in the "Terrible Threes", which most days are great. (Shhh, don't tell anyone I said that.) He can be a handful at times, but is mostly still that great little boy. However he has very clear opinions and will melt down if he can't figure out why you don't understand hem. We've found that often getting him to try and talk through things really helps. It has also had a side benefit - Sam comes up with these long sentences that make him sound like a kid. Gone (mostly) are the days of "Up, please" or "More milk, please." Now we have "I would like to listen to Little Square Wheels, please." It still amazes us, and I know that it means my boy is growing up.

While the changes in Sam are less frequent than they used to be, they seem to be more profound. Do you know how amazing it is to hear your child read their first word? It is pretty cool. Sam is only reading four words that we know of (go, so, up, and down), but he's really understanding the concept. He is understanding rhyming and that letters make sounds, which you put together to get words. Also, Sam will sit through long stories and stories with few pictures. He still wants to look at the book, but it is so much fun to read to him at night now that our library has expanded.

Physically, Sam is over 40" tall. We know this because we took him to Disneyland and he was able to ride Space Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad, which all require you to be at least 40" tall. He is really into kicking balls and hitting balls (soccer and/or tee-ball are in our future, I think). He loves to jump over things and from one thing to the next. He rides a bike with training wheels and loves to race his daddy. He's obsessed with being able to do a headstand and is starting to hang upside down from the jungle gym.

We just got the notice from daycare that Sam will be transitioning into preschool at the end of June. It is a huge change for all of us. We will no longer be getting daily reports of his activities and will rely on him to tell us what he did that day. We aren't sure how different things will be in the new room from the one he is in now, but I am sad to have him leave the wonderful place that Miss Dawna and Miss Lori have created for him. They have been so great at letting Sam grow, but protecting him when he needs it. Sam really came into his personality with them - he's the popular kid, great at initiating play, shares his toys, and rarely fights. He often comes home with a reward from the teachers (usually some playdough or a small toy) for being good, listening and following the rules.

I am scared to see my baby move off to preschool, but I am so proud of him in so many ways.