Happy Halloween

Fall Soccer

Daniel coached.
Sam played offense.
Sam played defense.
Sam played full contact.
He had so much fun and can't wait for spring season to start.

Brave

We went to the State Fair this year and had a great time. We ate and ate and ate and looked at every animal and booth and exhibit. We even rode a few rides despite my distrust of traveling amusement parks and their employees (who I'm sure are upstanding citizens. I've got a great example for you one of these days.)

The whole time we were there Sam kept begging me to let him do this bungee trampoline contraption that allowed you to jump about three stories high. I told him it was too scary. I told him he wouldn't like it. I told him he could do it when he was older. I told him I'd buy him another caramel apple instead. He begged and begged and begged until I was sick of it and he wore me down. I told him fine, if he wanted to so bad then go for it.

He did great until they buckled him into the harness. Then he turned pale. His lips started to quiver. Tears welled up in his eyes and he begged me to get him down. I, the sympathetic mother said, "No freaking way Sam. You have been begging me to do this for three hours. I've paid seven dollars and you are going to jump as high as you can and if you pee your pants I'll kill you."

He jumped.
His pants stayed dry.
And he loved it.

He was so proud of himself and wants to go back next year and jump higher.

Sam, not Samuel

We had the first day of "real" preschool back in September. Sam had been going to a preschool/daycare a couple of days a week for the last year. This year I decided it would be better for him to go to a preschool my neighbor teaches. It is still only twice a week and the teacher does a great job. He learns so much. The downfall is that I don't have a babysitter for the mornings after I work. This is where you all complement me on what a selfless mother I am. Go ahead, I'll wait.



So anyway, Sam informed his teacher that he is "Sam, not Samuel." He has made his preference known to all who will listen lately. We still call him Sammy, Samuel, and Booger, but he says none of those are his real name.

He has lots of preferences. I let him choose all of his new school clothes and there is a distinctly militaristic theme to them all.

He misses Juno while he is at school. They are becoming really good friends and they occasionally fight like siblings. Examples: "Mom, Juno is looking at me. I told her to stop, but she is looking at me!" "I told Juno that I didn't want to fight, but she started it." "Mom! Juno stole my toy/sock/underwear/bread. Make her give it back." "Mom! Sam is teasing me. He waves treats over my head and won't share his cookies." You know, the usual.

Yellowstone

A few weeks ago we took a day trip to Yellowstone.

I love the Old Faithful Inn. It has always been a highlight for me.

While we were waiting for Old Faithful to erupt Juno attracted quite a following. She is very popular with her public. We kind of hoped someone would like her well enough to steal her out of the back of the truck while we weren't watching. No luck.

I know the expression on Sam's face doesn't convey the excitement of the moment. He really did enjoy the park and thought that the geysers were really cool. He is just very self conscious when his picture is being taken.

This is a drawing of our family by Sam.

Thomas

Three years ago we went to see Thomas at Heber Valley Railroad.

Sam saw the ads this year and was so excited to go.

We enrolled Sam in a Spanish class at his school. He wasn't very excited about it. He told us that Sir Topham Hatt (a character from Thomas) wouldn't let him ride Thomas if he took Spanish. Daniel told him that his dad wouldn't let him ride Thomas if he didn't, so he would just have to take his chances with Sir Topham Hatt. As you can see it all worked out and Sam has doubled his Spanish vocabulary.

Purple Jaguars

Sam had a successful spring soccer season. He averaged 2 goals a game and found that he is a great defender. He had an awesome time and is excited for this fall.

Of course three-year-old soccer is thrilling and full of well executed plays...

...and is also ripe with head trauma...
...inspection of various wounds...
...and temper tantrum time outs.
In the end everyone gets a medal it's smiles all around.

Miss Juno

We became dog owners in November of last year. It was completely my idea and I was out of my mind. The first seven months were awful. She is a very dominant dog and ignored me completely (that is when she wasn't biting my hands and feet). We read everything Cesar Milan has ever published, we hired a professional trainer (who never showed up), we did puppy classes, we tried spraying her with water, we tried an air horn (and only damaged our own hearing). I was way ready to find her a nice farm to live at. And then we applied the shock collar. It is heaven. She is so good now that I am staring to finally like her. It may all work out after all.
I was talking to my Dad about the shock collar and said something to the effect of "Don't use the s-h-o-c-k word. We're trying to keep how it works a secret from someone."
Sam piped up, "Mom, someone already knows how it works. It's me!"
He is not, however, allowed to use the remote.

I wish now that I had been able to enjoy her more when she was little. She was so cute. This picture is her at 8 weeks, the day we brought her home.

About 12 weeks

Juno's crate comes in handy for controlling Sam as well.

Sam loves Juno and she puts up with a lot from him.

Juno at about 6 months

Juno at about 7 months
And now a test. Is this the same dog?The short answer is yes.
In May I took her to be groomed. I wanted her cut short, but I didn't expect her to be shaved.

I couldn't believe it was the same dog. She looks so much smaller. It's starting to grow out a little now. I was actually pretty sad. She was so pretty and now she is bald.
It's appropriate though that she has a new look to go with her new attitude.
Hopefully she'll grow out pretty again and stay likable.

Owls and Bats

I wanted to take a nap the other day, but Sam had other plans for us.
He informed me, "Sleeping in the day is for owls and bats, but not for you Mom. It's not good for womens."

Half a Year in Pictures

Several of my friends and family members are doing "A Year in Pictures". For these projects they have committed themselves to posting a picture every day for a year.
This year my goal is simply to not be committed to the crazy house.
It's going okay so far, although we've had some close calls.

I'm pretty happy to be able to showcase the highlights of the last six months.

CHRISTMAS!!!


FEBRUARY
Samuel and I with Grandma and Grandpa Orme.

Me and my buddy.

MARCH
We spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the dinosaur park



I had a hard time convincing Sam to come stand by me for this picture.
In the end he settled for trying to be scarier than the dinosaur.


Sam has started playing soccer. He is on a three-year-old team called the Purple Jaguars. They have had one game and one practice. The rest have been canceled due to snow. He has had a great time and is a really good teammate.




We made our first spring trip to the zoo.

My mom just had foot surgery, so Sam gave her a wheelchair ride.

Me, Sam, and Abuelita Julia