Dear Jackson-
You're three years old! I can't believe how much you have changed and grown this year. You started the year as a toddler but you seem so much more like a little boy now. You're losing the baby fat in your cheeks and you're speaking in full sentences!
We went to Disneyland for your birthday this year. Grandma (Diane Bernice as you sometimes like to call her) went with us. You had so much fun and I think you liked the Winnie the Pooh ride the most- we rode it six times with you. You were afraid of some of the rides (especially when they had dark tunnels). On the way to Disneyland (we drove) we stopped in Cambria for a night. We went to the beach and the day was so perfect- not too hot or cold and no annoying wind! You had so much fun running away from the waves with your daddy and exploring the beach with me. I love that you love the beach as much as I do and I love that you, in the middle of winter, sometimes ask to go to the beach. Equally, I love when you ask to build a snowman in the middle of August!
This year you have really bonded with your friends. Gabriel (or "Gabe") is your absolute favorite. You two are crazy about each other and that is just so sweet. This morning when I took you to school, one boy (Jason) ran up to you shouting, "Jackson!!!" and gave you a hug. Gabriel was right behind him yelling, "Jackson! Jackson! Jackson!". You're a popular guy.
Speaking of school, one of your favorite things is still music time with Miss Nancy on Wednesday mornings. You adore this day of the week and you sometimes pretend that you're Miss Nancy at home. You like to hold your ukulele and pretend to play it while singing songs. Sometimes you pretend that you have some of the fun things that you play with during your music time at school and you hold up these imaginary items and say, "look what Miss Nancy brought today!" Sometimes you insist that we clap for you after you finish singing your songs.
Food, well you are still a great eater. You love pizza, macaroni and cheese, quesadillas...normal kid food. You sometimes ask for broccoli for dinner and this makes me so proud. My boy likes veggies! I think your absolute favorite food is raspberries but you're always up for eating any kind of fruit. Oh and "snowflakes"...I found some yogurt and sprinkle covered pretzels shaped like snowflakes and Christmas and you LOVED them. You're still asking for them after dinner and I don't think that the store is carrying them anymore! Yes, and sprinkles- you'll eat anything with sprinkles! Sometimes I can even convince you to eat foods with grated parmesan cheese on them when I call the cheese "sprinkles"!
You love to laugh and you have an inside game that you play with your daddy called "tickle finger". You two tickle each other and laugh about "tickle finger" and sometimes you pretend that "tickle finger" is alive and you include him in your experiences- like, "Daddy I want tickle finger to ride the train too!" So silly!
Speaking of laughs, you say some really funny things. We have tried to keep track of those for our family blog but there are so many. You crack me up. We have to try not to laugh when you say things like, "how about no?" in response to something that we ask you to do.
Earlier in the year we had a backyard play structure installed in our backyard. We told you that we had a big surprise waiting for you at home when we picked you up from school that day. You still call the play structure your "surprise".
You are an amazing big brother! When Logan arrived this year you were a bit apprehensive about our new family member. Now you are so incredible with him. You give him hugs and kisses and you share toys with him. You are so gentle with him. One day you told me, "I really love Logan, Mommy." I know a time will come when you two are rambunctious wrestling boys, but for now I love every moment of the tender sweetness.
You had a fantastic time swimming at the local aquatic center with your daddy last summer. You LOVE swimming and seem to have no fear of the water. We need to get you in swimming lessons ASAP!
Movies are another of your favorite things. You're really into Scooby Doo and Micky Mouse Clubhouse right now but you have other favorites too- like Horton Hears a Who, Madagascar and Ice Age just to name a few. You also can't get enough of the "Easter Bunny movie" that you got for Easter this year or "Blinky and the Monster" (aka Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer). I can't even count how many times we've watched those.
We have a house full of toys that you enjoy but your favorites are dinosaurs and a few favorite stuffed animals. It doesn't matter which toy you're playing with, though, the game always involves loud roaring. Always. You are a boy through and through.
You will now let us read books to you (finally!). We read a bedtime story every night and I love that ritual. You do too.
You went camping for the first time this year! You and Daddy went camping with Grandpa in his camper and had a great time. It was just a guys' trip. Just the three of you. I love that you are forming a bond with your Grandpa and Lonnie.
You were an elephant for Halloween this year. You picked that to be your costume and you'd still wear it every day if we'd let you.
I am loving experiencing the world through your beautiful brown eyes. I love getting to know the person that you are becoming. I feel so lucky to be your mommy!
Happy birthday baby!
Love,
Mommy
