SAMMY!

We have a little store around the corner from our house that we visit quite often, called Sam's Market. Or more affectionately known in our house just as "Sam's".

We walk or ride bikes there for ice cream or a treat (it used to be in the wagon when they were little). We stop there for milk on the way home or just a random snack from time to time. We love Sam's! When Clare was a baby and Aidan was about 2, we went in one morning and Mrs. Sam (we don't know her real name) gave Aidan an ice cream cone at 8 am. She always gives the kids hugs and squeezes their cheeks. When Mrs. Sam is there, the kids don't ever walk out empty handed. "Go pick out a candy," she'll tell them.

Now, Sam was a harder nut to crack. We'd exchange very short greetings and be on our way. After all this time, Sam has finally warmed up to us Healeys and our antics. I have to give the credit to Clare. She went in one day and ran right to the counter and shouted, "HI SAM!" To which Sam's face lit up like a Christmas Tree. He said, "Now that's a good girl, she comes right over and says hello."

Let me just tell you, we are IN with good ole' Sammy! He jokes with them every time we come in and calls both the kids Sammy. Last week he gave each kid a pack of silly bands. Tonight he gave Clare a lollipop after she rushed in yelling, "There's SAMMY!" She decided she couldn't wait the minute and a half it takes to get home to go potty so Sam told us to go in the back room and use their potty. Then he walked Aidan back there to pick out some boxes he needed to make a Star Wars ship.

Sam has no idea what's in store for him now, next they'll be asking to scoop their own ice cream!