J Cooper Photography

His birthday is in three days.  We are on the countdown (who am I kidding…we’ve been counting down for months).  I am so very glad he is turning four.  Three has been a hard year for Super Sam.  We pretty much rocked his world with a new brother and a move to a new state.   He told me last week “I’m done at Nebraska…let’s go home.”  So I can’t deny that it has been a hard year on him.

But I have to say…that the crying spells and general grumpiness that followed the Big Move to the cornfields seems to be wearing off.  He has actually been quite the delight as of late.   Quirky and silly and always wanting “one more snuggle”.

We are having to re-adjust the delicate balance of our family dynamic once again now that school is out.  ”The girlies” (as he calls them) still take up a fair amount of my time when they are home.  That has taken a bit of adjusting from the boys.  Super Sam has been just that.  Happy and sweet. (His brother has made up for that sweetness with some serious grumpiness…isn’t that always the case? )

I’ve been trying to find some “extra” time with the boys this week.  Sometimes it’s just been a few extra minutes at tuck in time.  An extra story.  Or a little added grace.  But this morning Mimi suggested the zoo.  And that was really a hit!  He talked a mile a minute and soaked up every little bit of attention we could muster up for him.  Fortunately, his brother was quite content to hang out in the stroller and watch the world go by (he is a serious people watcher) so Super Sam got our undivided attention for a bit.

If anyone ever tells you that a three year old is too young to be affected by a move (or a new sibling)….just send them my way  I’ve got proof a mile long.  But I think there are sunnier skies ahead for this little man.  Things are looking up in his world.  He’s gonna be four soon (ONLY THREE MORE DAYS!) after all.