Sam's Four-Leaf Clover and Other Updates

Lately I've been going through some photo archives from a year or two ago, and I've been struck by how old Sam looks these days. I feel like I can no longer call him "my little boy," but I now need to just call him "my boy." He's really not little anymore! I also feel like he starts to look more and more like J as he gets older.

Waiting for the bus on the first day of 1st grade

These boys even have the same slight gap between their front teeth!

I think now, as of last week, Sam has read every single Garfield comic book that presently is owned by our whole library system. And believe me, there are dozens of books out there. The last one that we checked out, perhaps as an appropriate farewell, was Garfield Minus Garfield. Sam got interested in Garfield sometime last year, when J mentioned that he really liked Garfield when he was about Sam's age. Although Sam doesn't always understand the jokes, he picks up quite a bit of the humor. I try to use the Garfield comics as a way to teach morals - basically, by pointing out Garfield's character flaws and moral failings. Sam still wants to visit the comic book section of the library each time we visit, though. On Friday I let him check out one of The Far Side books, so maybe we'll get into those for a while. Again, a couple of those jokes seem over his head, but he really likes the ones that he gets.

Speaking of Sam and reading, I really am proud that he is such a voracious reader. I catch myself being glad of the fact that I need to scold, "Sam! You need to stop reading that book so you can [insert daily task here]!" I've had to remind him several times to not walk and read at the same time when we are leaving the library, especially when we are in the parking lot. He's not aware of his surroundings when he's reading a book, which could potentially be dangerous. Last week I had to remind him, "Sam, you need to stop reading and walking at the same time. Remember how you walked right into a glass door when we were leaving the library the other day? You need to wait and read until when we are seated in the car." Even as I was saying these words, I was secretly amused and pleased, though. Reading is such a joy in my life, and I'm glad that we can enjoy books together.

I know that Sam's appetite for reading helps to fuel his imagination. Somewhere, perhaps in a book, he has picked up the idea that four-leaf clovers can grant wishes. I discovered this assumption after he found a four-leaf clover at school a few days ago. He promptly pinned the clover to his bulletin board. It unfortunately shriveled up overnight, but we were able to resurrect its original form by soaking it in a cup of water for a few hours. Sam then decided to use Scotch tape to stick the clover to a piece of paper, and then pin the paper onto his bulletin board.

Anyhow, I've tried to stress to Sam that there is just merely a tradition that four-leaf clovers give people good luck, but he is quite sure that clovers actually grant wishes. Apparently he wished the other night, before going to bed, that he would dream while he slept. And, since he remembered dreaming when he woke up the next morning, he's sure that the clover granted his wish. But, then another morning he woke up distraught that none of his other wishes have come true, and he expressed concern that the clover couldn't hear him from underneath its piece of Scotch tape. So far, I haven't been able to catch Sam expressing his wishes to his Scotch-taped clover, but I hope to sometime soon. Perhaps I can be an agent in helping these wishes come true, if I think the requests are within reason!

I feel lucky to have such a bright, creative son who has a very kind heart. He is so sweet with Lucy. She stays entertained for long periods of time by focusing on whatever Sam is doing or showing to her. I can already tell that she will love Sam as much as J and I do.