Moose Turns THREE

Dear Moose,

Here we are at three. Three years ago, we were still sitting in the hospital. We spied some fireworks out the hospital window the night before. Yesterday, however, there was a fireworks ban in place. We still had a few smaller ones and some very hazardous sparklers. You stepped on some ash and got a blister - at least it was the end of the day :)

You loved tearing open the gifts from your grandparents. Your dad and I bought you an aquarium and fish, so there wasn't anything to tear open (as I figured you'd rather have a ready-to-go aquarium than one in a box and wait for days to actually put fish in). We killed three guppies and a snail overnight, but the new betta is hanging in there. We've actually hit the 24-hour mark with him. He's blue and black and you suggested the name Brown for him. I'll ask you again in a few days.

You are hilarious. You're a bit of a bully at times and are sweet as can be in other moments. You love playing outside barefoot and digging in the dirt. You and your brother have a good time together and, lucky for you, he just adores you and rarely hits you back. You still like to hit. Everything. And Everyone. But you're getting a handle on it. Now you will "dance yourself down" as you think about whacking someone. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

You know all your big letters and are quickly learning the little ones. You are writing many of them. And counting too. You're getting your colors (albeit, not all the time, see what you wanted to name the fish?) down. You recently started potty-training. You're pretty darn flawless with your #1s. Your #2s need some work, though. Please resolve this issue quickly.

You are speaking more and more and adore babies (similar to me, you prefer them immobile - you're less impressed with the variety that moves and protests). You're still a kid of few words, but you're getting there. I appreciate you not running your mouth all the time. Most kids talk too damn much anyway.

You're particular about some things - which shoes, jumping off the curb instead of stepping off of it, what goes in your sippy cup - but very laid back about other things.

Everyone always compliments your "perfectly highlighted" hair. Some people think it should be shorter, though. I think they should jump in a lake. I love your long hair.

You're a great eater and an early riser. If we make it to 7 a.m., it's pretty darn successful.

You still have some baby left in you but your little personality seeps out more and more everyday. As I say every year, stop growing.

Love always,
Mama