Happy 4th Birthday Jack!

Dear Jack,



You have been talking about your birthday for the past seven days. "Is it my birfday yet? Is it time for my basketball birfday party yet?" In true Jack fashion, you enjoyed every second of your day, and only came off the court when we beckoned you for cake or presents. As always, you got your money's worth out of your day!

As you can see from these pictures, you have many "faces." There's the sheer exhilaration smile that is more contagious and heart-swelling than you know. That would be the one you operate most in, because, as I said, you are one who enjoys your days to the fullest. I have often wished I could bottle up your joy/smile/squeal of excitement combo. Then there's the devilish one that you somehow pull off as handsome, and too-cute-to-be-trouble. There's the innocent one where you eyes get as big as saucers. And, finally, there's the one we refer to as the "stink eye"...and that's exactly what it is...you being sour because you don't do pictures. Notice how many of these are action shots, not posed shots. See?

(I suppose I should add one more! This is your "I'm pretending I'm brave because I am heading off to school for the first time, but I really don't want to leave you" face.)

When you are in Mama's-boy-mode you make me believe everything Sigmund Freud ever said about sons. And when you are in snowmobiling or golfing or dirt bike mode, you are your daddy's boy. Buster sometimes beats both of us out, though, because you often just need to be by your dog. You will exclaim out of nowhere, "I just love my Buster!" with a sigh. We actually see the evidence of your heart swelling with love. Because of you, I am sure we will always have a dog in the house. Luckily, your dad and I won't need much convincing. You are just the kind of kid who needs to grow up with a dog!

You were born with a talent that we are very thankful for...athleticism! Large motor skills are your forte, and you often have to be using your muscles all the time. Pretty much everything you try, you are instantly good at...especially for a three-year-old. Most mornings you wake up asking when the sun will be out so we can go outside, or wondering what park we can go to/what mini-golf we can visit/or when we can hit the pool. You just gotta be in motion. And, you just gotta be outside. I am an outside person by nature, too, but most of our fights (and my frustrations with you) are because I cannot get you inside the house...even if I just have to run in for a minute! Recently, I have been asking you if you have to go to the bathroom because you are jumping up and down so much. You just tell me "No! Just jumpin'!" I don't even question it, because you have been jumping since you were six months old! You jump when you watch t.v. You jump while you are getting dressed (ugh!) You jump while you are telling me things! And, you jump while you are playing wii. You are going to have some killer calves.

Your high activity level gave us the scare of a life-time this year, too. While riding a scooter you are clearly not old enough (yet totally skilled enough) to ride, you fell and broke your left orbital bone. You can see the damage in the picture above. Unfortunately, the damage done to my nerves makes me want to keep you in a bubble. Not happening, though...you won't allow it! I keep telling you that I can't handle you competing in the X-Games and such. Something tells me that that, or something similar, will so be your thing! And, I will never be prepared.

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures! And, no, it's not Halloween. It's not even October! You were a fireman this year. The Spidey costume gets worn a few times a week, because you are super-hero loving boy!

You are silly and smart...and you like it best when all four of us are all together! You like to speak in similes, which just cracks me up! You might exclaim that your poop shot out like a rocket, or that my salad is as tall as a snow hill. You have a hard time saying some of your letters properly, but it makes for the cutest little-kid voice I know. Lily is Wils and you Wove us so much! My favorite is this exaggerated au sound you make for the vowel o. When you say hot, it sounds like haute...as in haute couture. You love haut dogs and haaaukey.

And, we love you! You make us so stinking happy, and I couldn't be luckier than to be your mom! Keep on loving life...and all the weather and sports that go with it!

Love you,

Mama