If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Samuel absolutely adores his two older brothers.
He puts so much effort into copying Marcus and Jacob, that it’s difficult to remember he is only 18 months old, not three or four.
Samuel hasn’t touched a single toddler toy in his room. He loves his brother’s Rescue Heroes and trucks.
When we go bike riding, he puts on Marcus’s extra helmet, gets on the bike with training wheels and insists on being pushed. He doesn’t want you to hold the bike just anywhere either, you must push from the back so he can’t see you.
It’s also not unusual to find him standing at the sink with his brothers and an electric toothbrush. I’m not sure how clean his teeth are, but his nose definitely doesn’t have any cavities.
As for television, he can identify every Rugrat, and Barney is a big “Noooooo. Baby.”. One Sunday morning, Samuel sat and watched the entire movie “Dungston Checks In” with Marcus. Unbelievable.
At 18 months, he can jump off the pool ladder (with a life jacket) and swim across the pool. He can sit in a swing and make back and forth motions all by himself. And he can climb up and down Marcus and Jacob’s bunk bed without hesitation.
One day last week, I sent Jacob to the corner for not listening. As Jacob stood in the corner screaming, Samuel came into the room. After eyeing the situation, he scurried over to the same corner and buried his head against the wall and started screaming too.
Samuel also loves to play hide-n-seek with the big guys. He always starts the game by hiding next to the person counting. He then hides in each spot that someone else has just hidden in. The little fellow hasn’t a clue, but he loves it just the same.
When the boys are doing their schoolwork, Samuel must have the same supplies they are using and does his best to mimic their work. When I pass out compliments and “Good Job” stickers, he holds his paper up for review too.
The final notch in his belt was the purchase of a “big boy bed.” He’s not sleeping in it yet, but I find him rolling on it and purring every chance he gets.
What a cutie pie…
Until next time,
CMH