Sam.

Three years ago today I had this baby.

Her name was Harper.

For a day.

But I have some tactless, overly-opinionated women in my family

(ahem Grandma Spring, Mother, Jen).

They didn't like Harper.

So then she had no name.

For about two days.

And then, after much debate and agonizing...

She was Samantha.

And we never questioned it again or looked back.

But according to Samantha, she is nothing but "Sam".

NOT Samantha.

There is something about "Sam" that denotes spunk.

It just seems so fitting for some reason.

I have an inordinate amount of love for all of my girls. But if I HAD to pick one whose antics and personality I want to ingrain in my memory for forever it is Sam. She is a pistol. A ball of fire. She provides endless amusement. There is spring in her step. Her personality is contagious.

So...here are some tidbits I always want to remember about her at age 3:

-I no longer am allowed to pick out her outfits. She is thoughful and meticulous about what items she will put together. I'm hoping her sense of fashion will improve with age.

-She gets time outs for playing in the toilet water.

-She sings Twinkle Twinkle, ABC, Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam and the Itsy Bitsy Spider like a Rock Star. When we sang "Happy Birthday" to her tonight, she was belting it out, singing right along with us.

-Her hair is crazy curly, also fitting to her personality. She rarely keeps any type of hair thing in it, adding to the crazed look.

-She is a contrary little thing. If you say up, she says down.

Example: last night's pre-dinner conversation:
Sam: Mommy, what's for dinner tonight?
Me: Quesadillas, fruit salad and carrots.
Sam: I DON'T LIKE CARROTS.
Me: Yes you do.
Sam: NO I DON'T.
Me: What do you want instead?
Sam: Broccoli. I don't want carrots.
Me: So, do you want broccoli or carrots?
Sam: Broccoli. I DON'T LIKE CARROTS. DADDY DOESN'T LIKE CARROTS. LUCY DOESN'T LIKE CARROTS. ELLA DOESN'T LIKE CARROTS. WE ALL DON'T LIKE CARROTS.
Me: Okay, you can have broccoli.
Sam: No, I want carrots.

-She can recognize the sound of a violin playing on the radio.

-The girl can push buttons like no other. One of Ella's pet peeves is people closing books she is part-way through reading and has left opened, turned upside down (despite our admonishments to use a bookmark). Sam has learned to really tick Ella off by closing her books. The other day, Sam picked one up, not realizing at first it was Ella's. Ella, from the other side of the room looks at Sam, and begins to sprint towards Sam, yelling, "Saaaaammmm, nooooo!" Sam looks up, with a smile on her face and forcefully shuts the book.

But...On to the Birthday--

She celebrated with her sisters and dearest friends at the park.

She has been waiting to get to blow out candles. And she shined today.

She rode on a train with her friends.

She got her requested monkey cake.

Goofed off with her sister and cousins at the family dinner/celebration.

And of course opened lots of presents.

It was a good day for Sam.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Samantha.

We love you.

We're glad you're not Harper.