my friendly school boy.

Well, you all know that Holden attends "school". On Mondays he goes to Mother's Day Out at a local church. He has done so well and I really think he enjoys it. I often catch him singing parts of Jesus Loves Me, The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star . . . just to name a few. And I am pretty certain that he has been working on these songs at music time in school. One day when we were headed home from school, a teacher from another class gave a friendly hello to Holden. She said his name, so it was obvious that she knew him. I smiled back and so she explained that her class is in the gym at the same time as Holden's each week. She had gotten to know him because she said he is so sweet and friendly and always hugging everyone. That made me laugh. It just kind of surprised me that he goes around hugging strangers when I'm not around. But okay. So today, I headed to the school to buy a class picture that was taken a couple of weeks ago. I went in with both boys and no stroller. Paxton on the hip, Holden on my hand and checkbook in the other hand. I made my way to a classroom where the photographers were set up with pictures to purchase. As I found Holden's class picture and began writing my check for this precious memory, one of the photographers explained that she remembered Holden. You see he was the one that had to hug each of them after the picture was taken. What in the world? It's funny to me. How does he act when I'm not around? If I could be a fly on the wall for just 1 day! Apparently he is affectionate. Each day at school they circle words that described the child's demeanor for the day. In the past almost 3 months, 95% of the time these words have been circled: happy, friendly, busy. Every week. Same words. But I'm happy with this. Other options could be grouchy, sleepy, sad. But he has never had those words circled. His little personality is getting so big. He's almost 2 and that is so hard to believe! He just seems like such a big boy to me now.

So I want to introduce you to the 2010 Most Friendly in the 18-24month class . . . it's Holden. I guess he's following in daddy's footsteps with this title. (And yes, technically I am the only one that voted.)

If only I could catch that smile on camera these days! I have stared at this picture at least 20 times today. He is pure delight! And I am truly blessed to be his momma!