Why we love you at Three!

Dear Alex,

You are three. You are almost three and a half. This is why we love you:

1) Your unabashed enthusiasm. Every day you run to school, you can't wait to get there. You insist upon riding a big bike. Last week, during Sunday streets, you didn't want to turn around after we had already ridden many blocks! you were tired from riding your own bike but you wanted to keep going to see all the sights down 24th street.

2) You carry yourself like a big guy, but you're still a little one at heart. Your shoulders have puffed up this year, and *especially when you're wearing your soccer jersey* you carry yourself like a big guy. You can kick a soccer ball with the best of them - just discovered you can hop on one leg with a little leap - and will bravely scramble up any hillside - especially with a friend at your side. But you are still a cuddly little monster, and most nights will request that we lay at your side as you fall asleep, or bring you upstairs to cuddle if you wake in the night.

3) You know how to play. Let's play, mom and dad! You always exclaim. You dumped a pile of your coins on the floor, we washed them with vinegar, and then you bought a cheap ball set at the dollar store. You love pushing around "baby" and "ga ga" in the stroller and shopping cart. You can make a mean meal of "chicken bones" and brownies. And spin paint makes you spin with joy.

4) You love hard. You are very shy in public, and will reserve your judgement for those you don't know. But once you love, you love hard! Vincent has become your die-hard amigo, and you have great conversations together. You struggle against your brother, but you love him much (and sometimes you'll tell him). You love Mame and Kerry and will shout goodbye to them from many leagues down the path. At school now that you're comfortable, you welcome in others to play.

We love you absolutely and completely, for who you are! You are Alex, and you are (almost) three and a half.

Love, Mom and Dad