Who Is This Big Little Boy?

Sam turned 4 yesterday. I never envisioned that he would ever really get that old, but he did. Whoever came up with that expression “the days go slowly the years go quickly?” was so on the mark. I owe that person a really cool sticker, perhaps even a coveted Bob the Builder one. Is this really the same teeny-weeny baby whose head we had to hold up four years ago?

At 4, he is a full-fledged little boy now, not a baby, not a toddler, but thankfully still a “preschooler” for two more years. And so much of the “apparatus” is now gone, thank God, banished to the attic to collect dust bunnies. No more sippy cups, baby food, diapers & diaper bag, strollers, crib, etc., to deal with anymore. The list of accoutremonts goes on and on, and they are all gone, gone, gone. Oh, and did I fail to mention that the nap is gone, gone, gone, too? Now that it is totally and finally gone without him being a complete and total wreck in the mid-to-late-afternoon, I must say it is pretty nice to go out and do things without being a slave to the almighty nap schedule.

His big bad birthday bash is not until Saturday, so we got to enjoy celebrating his “real” birthday with just the “fam.” We went to meet Daddy Mac downtown in front of the James Center for a picnic on the James Center “beach.” And don’t you know it, it was just the day that a real race car from the Indy 500 was downtown Richmond, circling the block over and over again. The McNamee boys were thrilled to get a close-up view. However, a lucky few were getting actual rides. Of course the Saminator (and Daddy Mac) wanted to get a chance, but somehow I didn’t think Sam’s car seat would fit so well in the back seat. The poor driver would probably be the laughing stock of the race community if any of his cronies got wind of that scenario.

When one of Daddy Mac’s friends asked Sam how old he is, he shrugged and said, “I don’t know.” WHAT?! Then on the way home he asked, “Why did Jesus have to die? I don’t want to die. I want to stay on Earth.” Now how did he come up with all of that? And, yes, this is the same boy who didn’t know his age. I guess he has been so busy ruminating on life, death, and eternal salvation that he didn’t pay attention to such rudimentary facts. Who knows what goes on in that little mind? Not I, that is for sure.

By the time we got home, I was wiped out and more than ready for a siesta. And no-nap-Sam was not tired at all, so he decided that he would tuck me in for little snooze. I kid you not! He pulled up the covers and then scampered off to his room, returning with his blue bear and a Lego race car. Offering them, he announced, “You can play with them while you are asleep.” And then he headed back downstairs. If that isn’t a tuck-in, I don’t what one is!

Happy birthday, Sam! And don’t forget, you are FOUR now!

Libby