Five

Five.

 

Five?

 

Five!

F-I-V-E.  Where does time go? While I love that Samara is learning and growing and maturing, something about her turning five also makes me a bit sad.  Five seems so permanent and old.  From now on she will be out of the home more and more.  Outside influences will be greater and friends will play a larger role.  I miss my cooing baby who never slept, her 2-yr old words and cuddles, and my 3-yr old travel buddy.

Here are some of the things I want to remember about Samara at this age:

Witty and Quick

Samara does not miss a beat.  She speaks her mind and remembers everything.  Samara is always ready for a quick response.

Me:  Samara, cut the attitude!

S: Well, you better give me some scissors then.

Me:  Samara, you are destined for greatness.

S: No mom, I am destined to have a friend over!

One Sunday, she wanted to go to the store and I explained that we take a break from shopping and other things on Sundays so others can have a break too.  Samara says, "Well, once we went ward shopping on a Sunday."

When we pulled up to do these photos, she exclaimed, "There are broken windows here."  Then we pulled around to the other side and she said, "This place looks like the junk yard.  Why are we doing photos here?"

Thoughtful

Samara is always drawing pictures for others and is very thoughtful about gifts that she gives others.  She is often telling me what she wants to do for or give someone.  She also loves taking photos and has quite a knack for composition and backgrounds (except she didn't think much of this location:)).

She is a little leader and is IN CHARGE!

She has a "girls team group" at school.  At church we are known as "that little sunbeam's/Samara's parents".  

A few weeks ago, we had some friends over for lunch.  There was an incident and I sent Samara into the other room for a time out to cool off.  I told my friend, "In case you haven't noticed, Samara likes to be in charge."  From the other room she yells, "I don't like to be in charge.  Mom, I AM in charge!"

She is a girl with a plan!

Her favorite days are when we have something going on every hour.  As soon as she is done with one thing she wants to know what happens next.  She is never idle and hates when we don't have something planned.  I hear every day "the day after tomorrow I have dance, it's movie night,  I have a playdate, etc. " She has her whole life planned.  There is a boy at pre-school, whom she wants to marry because "he talks so nice and is shorter than me."  They will live in Texas then Singapore then back in Texas.  They'll have two TVs in their bedroom--one for each of them.  And their kids can each have a TV in their room if they want one.  Today she told me if he died she'd re-marry Ammon.  Her house will have double doors--one red and one green.  Says the miss, "then I only need a wreath to decorate for Christmas."

Loves her "mei mei" and stuffed animals

 

Lizzie was eating and wanted a hug.  She would fuss unless Samara was hugging her.

Every morning Lizzie wants to get into Samara's room to wake her up.  Samara occasionally sleeps on the floor on her "cat bed" surrounded by all her stuffed animals.   She LOVES her stuffed animals and really missed them while they were in storage.  One night she came into Ben after he'd put her to bed.  She asked if she could lay on our bed for a while.  With big teary eyes she asked, "how will we get my stuffed animals out if there is a fire?"

Her laughter and zest for life

Our house nearly burst from all her birthday excitement.  When I don't have little ones in the house anymore, I'm going to look into a rent-a-5-yr-old-for-a-birthday program because it's way too much fun!  Samara Louise, we sure love you!!  Life would not be complete or nearly as interesting without you.