Sam is Nine

Sam is now nine. Has been for two days, now.

This may be the best one yet. Had a party Friday night at the nearby Periton Aquatic Center, which meant an hour in the pool (think: water slide, inflated iceberg, lazy river, geysers, hot tub) and an hour in an observation room on the second floor. And there's no reason, it being on neutral territory, not to invite a bunch of friends, so Sam did--fourteen in total. Not as long or as eventful as Splash Lagoon, but with more friends; trade offs. Aunt Amy was on hand to follow Josh around (priceless!), as one parent had to stand near the iceberg to make sure no one perished (a lifeguard was also on duty). 

The whole thing went remarkably smoothly, much better than anticipated, and I admit I was dreading it. The only really harrowing part was the period when I was supervising the boys getting into dry clothes in the locker room prior to heading up to the observation room for cake and presents. In that short time, one boy (holding back tears) informed me he'd lost all his clothes and towel (they were in another locker room entirely) and left his shoes back out by the pool, another lost his towel and had to borrow mine, a third lost his underwear, which turned up soaking wet in the shower, and I discovered we'd forgotten the diaper bag and so had no new pull-up for Josh to wear. 

Good times.

The following day we opened gifts from family, and more than any other birthday I think the presents hit the mark without being over the top. 

Sorry to be so clinical, but this is what we think about.

Below are the photos. Enjoy!

Our big gift to Sam this year: two hermit crabs he's named Spike and Ladybug. They aren't terribly mobile or interactive, but maybe in time they'll come out of their shells.  (Hahaha!) 

Aunt Amy, Joshie and Sam's friend from church Zachie, who spent much of the time blissfully soaking in the hot tub. :-)

This is the "iceberg". They climb up the other side and then slide down into the water. 

This is Sam with a newish friend from school, Zoe, who has a great sense of humor and a strong sense of self. For the first time EVER Sam went off to talk to her on the phone the other day. And he's had one "hang" with her, which is what fourth graders call playdates. So far, no drama, which is an improvement over other girls he's interacted with.

Cake--and view of the lazy river in the background.

Opening presents.

Saturday I took Sam to his piano lesson and afterward went to the cafe next door for hot cocoa and billiards. 

"Hermit crabs are EPIC!"

Sam received two flying saucers. He's getting pretty good at this one.