Jack is 2 1/2!

*Published 1.21.11

Dear Jack,

Oh my how time flies and what a joyful ride its been. You are such a joy to us and we love being your parents. You make us laugh each day and before we go to sleep we always talk about what you did that day for the first time or what you said that cracked us up. You still have such a sweet nature and are very obedient (for a 2 year old!). You are always talking about your sister and how you will share your toys with  her and how you want to share a room with the baby. You also tell us how you are going to teach the baby to play basketball and get the baby a superman shirt in her size. You even talk about changing the baby's diaper! The other week we were praying before dinner and daddy said, "Amen." and then you said (with your hands folded and eyes closed), "And pray for the baby in mommy's tummy." Speaking of praying, whenever I ask you what you want to thank God for you, you typically answer, "His angels". It almost makes me tear up every time. Over the past few weeks, your dreams have evolved from angels to angels driving trucks. What a funny picture!

Here is what else you have been up to:

* Imitating karate moves from youtube videos

* Teasing mommy and saying that I like stinky socks!

* Watching Micki Mouse Club

* Dancing while eating

* Feeding and letting Henry outside
*Dancing when you eat something you like. You also do the cutest jig on your tip toes before your bath!
* Confirming that your animal crackers and animal vitamins are not real before you eat them. You have such such a sensitive heart!

* Singing your ABCs with Alphie

* Buidling forts out of couch cushions with daddy and pretending you are a kitty cat in your kitty cat house (I think your dad likes this activity more than you!)

* Riding on your new red scooter down the "hills" on the sidewalk

* Throwing tantrums when its time to take a nap or go to bed at night....which is improving!

* Going potty in the big boy potty before bathtime (hopefully soon you will start potty training). Every night you run naked out of the bathroom after you have gone pee to get your m & m's and yell, "Henry not lick my bottom. Ahh!" It's priceless. Most of the time Henry is no where to be seen, but when he is around you actually stick your bottom out to tease him.

* Helping mommy and daddy whenever you get the chance. Here's a funny story related to that...

The other day while we were hanging shelves in your closet, you discovered the laser level. You think its used to measure things. I guess the idea of "leveling" is a little advanced for a 2-year old. After a while you ventured off by yourself to "measure" things in the house. Your dad came into the bathroom to find you with your laser level on the floor pointing perfectly across both sets of poo poos Henry had left in there. When daddy asked you what you were doing, you replied, "Measuring the poops." Your dad said, "Oh, are they big or little?". You said very seriously, "Just little ones."

Your favorite foods include pizza, fruit of any kind (raspberries are your absolute favorite and mine too!), anything chocolate, peanut butter and jelly, bagels with peanut butter and of course smoothies! Most kids like to go to McDonald's for chicken nuggets for a special treat. You like to go to the smoothie place for a peach smoothie and spinach feta gourmet pretzel. You definitely have good taste! We still battle over getting you to eat new foods at home, but we are making some progress. You have now graduated from speech therapy!

I forgot to mention how you loves to have things put away in an orderly fashion. I told you to take your shoes off in the laundry room and you put both pairs up against the wall. You definitely takes after me with your organizational skills!

Today you started soccer lessons. You had so much fun and I was so proud of how well you participated! You were very brave and actually have a very accurate kick!

We love you buddy and are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents. Love you.