If you would have called our house yesterday to wish Sam a "Happy Birthday" he would have replied "Why Thank You!", like a little gentleman. Who knows where that came from but it made many of us smile as he enjoyed his day, especially after Easter brunch was cleared away and it was time for ordering pizza.
Before Graham's sister Sandra and her family left we took them to Rain Forest Cafe on Friday. A last night out, complete with Volcano dessert ordered for Sam. This birthday of his started early and will extend a week when we have the classmates and buddies come on Saturday for a party. So the Volcano comes to the table with the waiters making quite a hoopla and Sam gets all shy.....then later says "You surprised me!" Such spontaneous commentary, making me smile. The men were off on the train to the city for a R&R concert and we headed toward Build-a-bear so our niece Molly, age 5 could make a bunny. I hadn't been there in years since Fallon, now 11, has outgrown the adventure.
What I didn't expect was that Sam would join in! A Cat-in-the-Hat lured him in and soon we were at the filling station. HERE'S THE COOL THING: This month, for Autism Awareness, you can purchase a purple satin heart, proceeds going to Autism Speaks, to imbed in your animal. Sam smothered the heart in kisses and buried it in the Cat, and soon was skipping off with his newest beloved. Thing 1 and Thing 2 were added to the basket and I had one happy camper. To most people in the mall that night it might have seemed a little odd to see my now 15 year old carrying around his Cat-in-the-Hat, waving a hand saying "happy birthday". But for us, it was infectious to witness the pure joy in his heart.
I have always found it fitting that April is Autism Awareness month as we celebrate Sam's birthday. Last year we had a HUGE party at the house with his classmates, teachers, and handfulls of buddies who come to help out in Room 10. These kids are so awesome and have made it Cool to be Kind - boys and girls who sign up to participate in activities throughout the day with our special boys. Having the party in April gives me the chance to thank them and to say a word about how cool it is to be in a school that embraces diversity. Let's hope it doesn't rain this Saturday like last year. Our home burst at the seams with 30+ guests last year :)
One last word today about Sam-the-Man. Check him out in a TIE! His first tie ever! I never thought he'd actually do it. I had to warm him up to it for several days. He still seemed resistant to the idea until it came time to get on the shirt....and he let me do it! He was so proud as we pulled up to the church to see one of his teachers, Mr. Dave, get married last week. Look how handsome the Room 10 boys look! I was so happy, I can't even tell you.
(The Sam-I-Am toy in top picture came from Kohl's, available last xmas, and Cat-in-the-Hat is from Builda-bear.)
