Jackson Three Point Five

Dear Jackson,
At three and a half years old, you are a very energetic and physical little person. Actually, you don't like to be called little. You like to be referred to as a big boy, preferably Big Boy Jackson Jones. I'm amazed when I think back to what you were like exactly one year ago. At that point we were struggling through potty training and sharing and Annabeth was still in my tummy. A year later, we are well past the potty training marathon, Annabeth is almost 8 months old, and you have made huge strides in sharing.

When you were a toddler, you'd often be around bigger kids and they'd be so patient with you and willing to share their toys. Now you've had several opportunities to share and show patience with littler kids. It makes me so proud to see. You are not as willing to share with Annabeth though. You put your cars within her reach so that she will grab them and you can say, "Look, Mommy! Annabeth took my car!" You also like to take Annabeth's toys and put them out of her reach. We are working on treating others like we would want them to treat us. We're experiencing many teachable moments in this season. Having a sibiling definitely exposes the sin nature. I can say that for myself too, little man! I'm trusting God that these moments are bringing us closer and closer to the time when you will surrender your heart to Jesus.

Even though you act cheeky with your sister sometimes, it's obvious that you love her. You have this little language of high pitched nonsense words that you use to communicate with her. It sounds like "Peezy, squeezy, sheezy!" You still call her Annabess or sometimes Ann'bess. When we're in the car, you go to great lengths to make her laugh, but then you say, "Annabeth's laughing at me!" We've tried to explain that Annabeth is still just a baby and is incapable of making fun of you. She laughs because she loves you and thinks you're great.

You like to play in your ball pit/tent, ride your trike (we're going to get you a real bike soon), run, climb, be at church, play with other kids, go to school, sleep on the floor, read your Thomas the Train books, be with your grandparents, get presents, go to Walmart (?), and listen to music. You especially like David Crowder and Charlie Hall. You still love cars and get excited when you see airplanes in the sky. You enjoy donuts, Capri Suns, pretzels, carrots, PBJ's, Chick-fil-a, chips and salsa, Fruit by the Foot, and real fruit. Yesterday you told me you needed to drink lots of juice so you could be big like your daddy.

Every day you say the most hilarious things. Of course, sometimes we can't let you know how funny they are. Yesterday morning Daddy apologized to you for being cranky. He said, "I shouldn't have gotten so upset with you. I'm sorry." You asked him if he does wrong things. Daddy said that yes, we all do wrong things. Later that day you were throwing yourself on the floor and having a fit because Daddy wouldn't give you any more cookie-brownies. You looked him in the eye, gritted your teeth and said, "You do wrong things!" Daddy had to come downstairs where he and I laughed so hard, we cried.

You love to play with the girls who live next door. You call them "my girls." They are already in elementary school, but they love to play with you too. Sometimes they knock on the door and ask if you can come out and play. We let you, but we have to come outside with you. Three-year-olds don't get to roam the streets. The girls are probably moving soon and I'm so sad for you. I'm dreading the day when we'll have to break the news to you. Maybe the Lord will bring another neat family to be our neighbors.

Jackson, you're such a great kid and your daddy and I are lucky to be your parents. We think you're the handsomest, smartest, strongest, fastest, funniest, big boy God ever made. We love you to infinity and beyond.
Love,
Mommy