Two

Our dear big man Sam.  Our construction-lovin'- finicky-eater-always-running boy. 

Your favorite book is a 100 page full color pictures research book about giant dump trucks.  You could read it for hours. 

Your favorite song is the Jars of Clay rendition of "Drummer Boy".  You could dance to it in your Daddy's arms all day. 

Your favorite food is anything in the fruit family.  You could eat fruit until you explode, and sometimes that is exactly what happens. 

Your favorite phrases are, "Hey, Mom!  Watch this!" followed by some display of something I would prefer you didn't do, or "Thank you, Mom!" which is the sweetest thing, or "Love you too too Mom (or Dad)!" which is even sweeter.  

Your favorite thing to do it to copy your big bro and sis.  You follow the good, the bad and the hysterical.   

You love to be outside.  You STRONGLY dislike being told to come in. 

You can't get enough of our little cat "Dell".  Thankfully, he tolerates you carting him around - via arms or stroller. 

You call a slide a "Wee wee".  It's too cute to correct you. 

You sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Happy Birthday" with gusto until someone notices you are singing, then you abruptly stop.

The other day as we sat down to dinner you said, "Me start" and you lead our family in our nightly prayer.  Your Daddy and I almost cried from cuteness.

We love you, Samuel. 

We love your snuggles and kisses as you greet Ella and Owen each morning with a loud, "Good morning!"

We love your kissable cheeks and wild curly hair. 

We love when you dance in your car seat with both fingers pointing up- rocking to the beat.

We just really love you. 

We know your strong opinions and determined personality will come in handy in the future.  So for now, we hope to not crush that spirit and to learn from you each day.

Happy Birthday to a big two-year-old.