A month ago, you turned 3. Over the past few weeks I’ve been thinking about writing this letter to you. I think I’ve reminisced in mind more lately than I ever have. Just looking back at this past year amazes me – how much you changed, all you’ve done. You started preschool in the fall. Your first time spending so much time with anyone other than family. Going to preschool was the best decision we’ve made for you. You had the best time and I loved hearing all your stories about your friends. You’ve become so much more social. You’re friendly and polite all the time. When we’re out grocery shopping or at Target I always hear a compliment on how well you behave. Don’t get me wrong now, you’re still a three year old. It seems that lately, you’re very interested in testing the limits – just to see if you can win the battle. Sometimes I can’t help but laugh at you when you get all worked up. You just get so pitiful that it’s cute!
You are all boy when it comes to playing – give you a truck and some sand and you are set. You love helping around the house…cooking with me, feeding/watering Maggie, working on the building w/ Daddy and Papa. Anything we’re doing, you’re there to help. You see action in the kitchen and run to get your stool so you can see. You love singing and dancing. Watching you dance always makes my day. You’ve got some pretty sweet moves. You’ll get that arm up and stand on your toes, dancing around in a circle. So darn cute. Yeah, I have no idea where you got that passion from. As a matter of fact, you apparently agree that I can’t sing b/c when I try and sing along with you, you’ll say,
No Mommy. Don’t sing.
Why? I ask.
Because that’s how God made it. Understood. It’s funny, that line, b/c I started using it with you when you would ask a round of never-ending whys. And it worked – until you started using it on me. Why don’t you want to poopy on the potty, Jackson?
Because that’s how God made it. Really? I need to verify this with the Big Guy.
Riding in the car with you is always fun. You are so observant and don’t miss a thing. We’ll pass by a tractor way off the road and you’ll point it out. Same w/ construction equipment – and you know the names of pretty much everything. The other day was the first time you’d pointed out the clouds and how the shapes looked like different things. If I think you’re not listening, think again. When I recently got a little impatient with the construction traffic, I let out an aggravated,
C’mon dude. Let’s go! You’ve now been repeating that. The other day while riding with your Daddy and stopped at the red light, you were apparently impatient, too.
You are such a sweet big brother to Kate…most of the time. Watching you take her for a ride on your truck is the best. She loves it! You definitely get a little frustrated with her when she messes w/ your toys, especially now that’s she’s so into everything. I can see how much you love her though and you already seem protective of her. The nickname you gave her a couple of weeks ago is my favorite. Icky! I hope it sticks. I love it!
You really are the sweetest little boy a Mommy and Daddy could ask for. You’ll out of the blue say, “Mommy. I love you!” Oh how that’ll melt my heart. It makes all the craziness of the day go away, even if just for a moment. You love giving kisses and snuggling in the morning. You’ll say, “Give me 5 kisses!” We’ll count to five, then you’ll say, “One more!” You could go on and on forever.
There are so many things about you and this age I want to remember. I know I want to be able to think of everything, but here are few of my favorites.
1.
Milk. In a Mickey Mouse cup. First thing in the morning. Critical to the start of your day.
2.
Tag you’re it. I have no idea where you became so fascinated with this, but if asked on any given day, that’s what you’ll say you want to do.
3.
Potty training. You’re 3 now and we’re far from ‘trained’. You told me the other day that you were gonna poop on the potty when Mamma came back. We’ll see if you keep your word on Tuesday.
4.
Blanky and Lovey. Actually two lovies. You have a bed full of ‘friends’ but Blanky, Lovey, and now two Loveys are always nearby. We’ve always had two Lovies, but you didn’t know about there were two until a couple of months ago. One was stashed away in case of emergency or just so the other could get washed periodically. Kyleigh, the neighbor across the street, discovered Lovey #2 and you haven’t parted ways since. This one actually has a smaller nose – thread mishap – so you call him Little Nose Lovey. If you ever share one with me, I always get Little Nose.
5.
Gator. It can be 7 in the morning or 7 at night and you’ll ask, “MayI ride my gator?” Papa has even added a ‘hitch’ to it, so you can hook it up to your wagon (‘trailer’). You’d ride all day long if we’d let you. Watching how well you can drive is AMAZING! You can even park it in the garage, with my car in there, without hitting a thing. Seriously?! And reverse, you’ve had that mastered for a long time now! Seeing you take Kate on a ride is so sweet – is the perfect example of how great a big brother you are! She thinks you are so much fun!
6.
Jumping. Not sure if it’s just a boy thing or what, but you want to jump off of everything. The cushions on the couch haven’t stood a chance for over a year now. It’s like you can’t stand it when they’re in place. You must move them to the floor immediately. They can be jumped on, become a boat, a train. You name it, the couch cushions can become it!
I know there’s more and over the next couple of weeks, I may add to the list. Most of all, right now what I want to remember and what I want you to know that you are an absolute joy in our lives. I can’t imagine what life was like without you. You’ve brought so much joy and happiness and laughter to our lives. I am so excited to watch you grow up. But before you grow up too much … give me 5 kisses! :-)
Love,
Mommy
