Sam's Birthday "Not-a-Party"

We had Sam's birthday "not-a-party" today. What's a "not-a-party" you ask? That's a birthday party that is planned in less than a week. No theme. No decorations. Just food, friends and fun. We had a great time and hope everyone else did, too. The weather was perfect! Daddy did a great job cooking!

You can click below to see pictures in the album:



Sam says "thanks" to all the 'rents for bringing his buds out to play! He sends a special shout out to Nathan, Carson, Bradley and Samuel. Thanks for the fun toys!

Now I can start planning the big party I owe him next year!

Already?

Today was Sam's 2nd birthday. Last night, Scott and I worked for a few minutes on preparing Sam to answer the question "How old are you?" He got really good at saying "Two!" and holding up (kinda) two fingers. This morning, I went in to get Sam out of bed and the first thing I said was "Good morning, birthday boy! Sam, how old are you today?" His immediate reply? "Six." My son has impeccable comedic timing! All morning, he would tease us by saying 6 and then 2 because it would make us laugh. Once, he even said 8! So, at 2 years old, does he already want to be older or does he just like to keep us laughing?

The day before his birthday, we went to the zoo with Carson and hung out in the backyard. For his birthday, Daddy came home for a brief break (he has a concert tonight) and we had cupcakes and opened a few gifts.

Sam turns 2

Click the link above to see a few birthday pictures. (Let me know if this doesn't work for you. I'm trying this out to see how it works.)

The Perfect Shirt

I'm just going to let Sam's shirt speak for me today.





These pictures were taken last week when our best friends stopped by to spend the night on their way back to Ohio. We were so glad to see them if only for such a short time. We'll take anything we can get!

Done!

After the longest, most emotionally agonizing week I've ever had, I finally made a decision about next year. I decided to take the new job. After three days of thinking I was going to stay at my school, I made the decision to change schools without even realizing it and once I spoke it, a wonderful sense of peace fell over me. It really came down to the unknowns. I decided that the unknowns of staying were scarier than the unknowns of going to a new school. Plus, the large salary increase didn't hurt!

So, there it is! I have a few friends who have a lot more significant things going on in their lives this week, so I truly, truly appreciate all the love and support they have offered me. All who have listened to me cry and probably over-analyzed the situation, I thank you. And of course my family who have helped me survive the week. Scott wanted me to be happy, even knowing what the money would mean for us. It turns out I have wonderful people surrounding me and lifting me up everyday and I thank God.

"Hot Coa Coa"

If you do not have a job in which you receive love letters at least three times a week, then I feel very sorry for you. Today, the kids in one of my 2nd grade small groups handed me this letter. Sarah wrote it and the rest of them signed their names.

Dear Mrs. H------,
Your the nicest person in the world. Your as sweet as honey. Your as pretty as the sun. Your voice sounds so sweet that it's better than the birds. You smell like hot coa coa.
Love, Sarah Logan Peyton Ashlen Katelyn Tyawna

I am not kidding. If your job doesn't make you feel as good as my job makes me feel, then you should consider changing careers.

A Fork in the Road

For those of you keeping track of my career drama recently(and I know gazillions are reading this), today was the day. I got an official job offer and I now have to start thinking about what I'm going to do about it. Actually, my principal (of all people) told me on Friday that I was going to be recommended for the position after they called her for a recommendation and she asked them on the phone. So, here I am, standing and staring blankly at the fork in the road.

My mother and I had a conversation about how hard this decision was to make. She said that I had already made so many big decisions in my life and had done fine. But I realized that no, I can't remember ever having to make a decision like this. All the big moves I've made just happened, or I chose the clear path without having to deliberate. Go to College? Sure. Be a teacher? Of course. Move to Chicago with Scott? Absolutely! Have a baby? Sign me up! Leave a fabulous job that I love and colleagues that I adore for (lots) more money and possibly sit in a holding pattern while I establish my reputation again? Whoa, let me think about this for a while. (Did you hear the sound of brakes screeching? I made that sound while I wrote that part.)

So, I'm expecting this to be one of the longest weeks of my life and if you have any advice or can think of some questions I should be asking myself or the new district, please let me know. Feel free to call me or e-mail me.

Thanks for hanging with me!

The Naturalist

Sam appears to be very detailed oriented. As much as he loves being outside, he loves studying everything in the yard. He's just recently discovered ants! That may or may not be what he was looking for in the yard this afternoon. Pictures are of course shared below.

By the way, I have it on good authority that I will be offered the job that I interviewed for this past week. All I can do now is pray for some clarity as I struggle with this decision.

And finally, congratulations to Allison and Parker who are the proud new parents of Campbell. Welcome to the world, Campbell! I can't wait for your mom to start blogging!

"Master" Samuel's Haircut

Sam got haircut #2 yesterday. It didn't go as well as the first one. He REALLY didn't want Joe messing with his hair so he wiggled all over the place. I was covered from head to toe with hair when we left there! I would show you what he looks like but he's a little embarrassed:
Notice the hat? Scott and Greg fell into tickets for the practice round on Tuesday. They were invited by Fanny, Henrik Stenson's caddy, and were treated like VIPs for the day. It was a day they are not likely to forget anytime soon. Plus the fact that Greg seems to have a new friend!

She's giving my boys tickets to the Player's Championship at Sawgrass in Florida in a few weeks. Yeah, they're over the moon! Here's a neat picture they took accidentally:

And here's one that wasn't such an accident:

Yeah, Baby! That's Tiger! (Click on it to get a close-up)

Best Toy Ever!

Here's my new favorite toy:

I bought it for Sam about a week ago and he is actually learning letter sounds! I think my best friend had this on her fridge a couple of years ago and I remember her liking it, too. It has this catchy little song to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell: "P says /p/, P says /p/. Every letter makes a sound. P says /p/." It also plays the ABC Song which is Sam's current favorite!

I LOVE IT!!! Go. Get one. Seriously!

Rainy Days and Saturdays

What we planned was a very busy and very rainy day with two birthday parties to attend. (Happy Birthday Samuel and Nathan!) What we got was one birthday party and a trip to the ER.

Samuel's birthday party was at a local park. With all the rain, everyone was stuck under the covered area. We think Sam may have slipped a little without actually falling down. We really couldn't tell he was hurt except that he would take a few steps and cry and grab his knee. It became a little more obvious when he wouldn't even put his weight down on his right leg. So we told Samuel and his family bye and headed to the ER.

This was by far the greatest ER experience ever. We hardly waited for anything. Of course, by the time we met the doctor, you would've thought we were crazy for being there. Sam seemed perfectly fine. He did show signs of being hesitant with his leg so the doctor did give him an x-ray. Nothing showed up so he thinks it is just a sprain. Tylenol, or "magic juice" as we like to call it, should manage any pain he has over the next few days.

Let me just tell you how freakishly strong Sam is. He did not like the x-ray room at all! The nurses couldn't believe how mighty my son was as three of us held him down and he almost got off the table!

Here are a few pics from today of us "enjoying" the ER. Everyone was so nice, especially the doctor. Our recommendation: If you have to go to the ER, plan your accidents so that you can be there before lunchtime. Things start getting crazy around 2.

P.S. That's chocolate milk on his shirt, not blood!