Today in Sam's World......

Sam did not want to do school today.

In fact,

his actual words were.....

"No trolls,

no giant snow cakes,

no invaders,

no dragons,

no lemons,

no giants

and NO SCHOOL!

Well, we haven't really been having a huge troll, giant snow cake, invaders, dragons or giants problem.  But, not wanting to do school was a bit of an issue because even though we work hard at school, we do have some slack days as well, so when a busy day is planned, we need to stick with the game plan.

So, we did a lot of science and geography today.

We are learning about being a Botanist.

Luckily we have quite a few trees around the property to study.

We have less trees this year than we had last year.  Some fell and some were encouraged to fall with a chainsaw.  Now it is a lot safer and less leafy around our neck of the woods!

 We had to find different trees, identify them and collect some leaves.

 Some leaves were easier to get than others!!

 Some trees were easier to identify.

Sam had issues with this tree.

After all, it was a lemon tree and he had clearly requested

NO LEMONS!!!

Sam thought that the different bark textures were very interesting.

 

So, we now move on to other subjects, but, in parting, remember to watch out for.......

the invading

GIANT LEMONS.

You never know where they may be lurking!!

Though, I suspect a giant snow cake could be pretty treacherous as well.

 

 

Sally-Ann





Looking Back at 2013......Sam's Birthday

 On October 29, 2013, Samuel turned 8-years old/

 For his birthday we had a little family party at the Frozen Custard Shop

 Pizza was the fool of choice and received a thumbs up from the birthday boy.

He even co-ordinated his shirt for the occasion!

 The usual suspects were in attendance.

Jessica, Joshua and Courtney.

 Samuel huffed.......

 and puffed........

 and did finally blow out the candles!!

Samuel's birthday falls around Halloween, so we usually throw in some pumpkin carving fun!!

 

Removing the pumpkin guts.

Always fun for a kid who hates to get his hands dirty!

Sam was a good sport! 

 Drawing on his design.

The finished product!!

Can't believe Samuel has reached the ripe old age of eight!!

Time goes far to quickly......

Sally-Ann

One of Sam's Favorite Things

We feel that it is very important to help Sam try new things.

Sam knows no fear.

I, however, suffer great anxiety sometimes over Sam trying new things.

Sometimes it doesn't go very well.

But, sometimes..........

it does.......

in a big way........

 This isn't a very good photo, but it is Sam dressed and ready to go to dance class.

He is wearing his beloved "clickety clack" shoes.

Samuel was devastated on his first day of dance class because they had to order him tap shoes and he didn't want to wait!

  Here Samuel is working hard with Ms. Rhonda.

The thought to enroll Samuel in a dance class had never crossed our minds.

Gymnastics maybe, but dance???

One of the Moms that we have gotten to know over the years through Kindermusik, gymnastics, soccer and baseball, wanted to get a group of the kids together for a dance class.  They needed 5 to form a class, and we thought, "Why not?"

That is how Sam became one of the few boys enrolled at 

Kim Hall's School of Dance.

Unfortunately, the 5 dwindled down to 3 and we were frightened that the class would be cancelled.

But, no, the 3 that are left enjoy it so much.  It is the highlight of Sam's week.  This is the first extracurricular activity that Sam has participated in that I just sit back and watch him have fun.

I don't have to go in with him.

He listens......well, as much as an 8-year old boy listens!!!!

He enjoys it.

They are even rehearsing for a recital in June.

Here is some video from their practice today.

I put all the bits and pieces I filmed together and added the music to try and drown out the background noise.

They don't really dance to Will i Am singing "Hall of Fame"......

or AC/DC........

just what I had on my play list.

 The end part was them practicing in front of some of the other classes to get them used to performing in front of people.

This little boy......or not so little.....works so hard at everything he does.  We are so proud of him.  He has come such a long way over the past few years and we are happy that he has found something that gives him joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Sally-Ann