3 years...

3 years ago on this very day my water broke while I was taking a nap after demolishing some mac & cheese.  But to hear more about that, click here, because that's not what this letter is about.  No, on the eve of your 3rd birthday I thought I'd FINALLY update this blog for you.  A little bit, at least.

That picture above is you and I at Party City, where we've been twice in the last week getting prepared for your birthday party.  Which we just had to cancel.  Well, not cancel, postpone.  Your parents picked the coldest day in Southern California's recent history for a pool party: a high of 48 degrees with a 70% chance of rain.  I have lived here for almost 10 years and have never come across a day like that.  BLAST!  Good thing you can't quite grasp the concept of days/weeks yet because I keep telling you your party is in 3 more days weeks.  

You're still busy at Sports Class.  That's you on the right passing the ball to Coach Derek while the other Jackson in class watches.  Your cousin Rinnie is joining us for the next session of sports, and it will be nice to have a girl in the class, even if she does chase butterflies like I did in athletic situations.  

You got into preschool!  That's right, you "got in" because I applied back in May and just found out.  Because getting into preschool around here prepares parents for the college admissions process WAY, TOO, EARLY.  But we're very happy with the school you'll be attending full-time in the fall (well, from 9am-12:45am Monday-Friday).  What will mommy do with herself?!  If you say exercise I swear to God...

Well there you are, my two favorite guys.  I can't believe you're turning 3 tomorrow, and at the same time I can't believe you've only been in my life for three years.  I don't remember what it was like without you.  You are my little best friend, my teacher, and the coolest 3 year old I know : )

School.

You won't stop talking about it. You want to go, you say, and you want to "play with kids" and "climb" and see your "teacher" and "learn all about animals." And guess what? I am not ready. Just like I am not ready to put you in a big boy bed, or give up our morning-bottle of milk-cuddle time (and afternoon, and evening). But guess what again? You know the entire alphabet. You've memorized half-a-dozen songs. You read books to me and you get most of the words right. You can count to 10 and you know your colors (sort of... working on pulling the "Brobee" off the front of "green") and you have fully communicated with us for months now. Maybe you are ready. Guess what a third time? You're not going to preschool until you're 3.5 years old. So there.

But... guess what? Today, we're starting a "play club" at THE preschool we want to send you to in a little over a year. Compromise. You think you're going to "school" and I think I'm going to throw up.


(Your older cousin starts kindergarten in August. I remember when she was younger than you. Slow. Down. Time.)

Welcome Spring 2010...

I have been slacking on my letters to you. Bad Mommy. But there has been a lot going on lately... let me try and catch you up.

YOUR FIRST BIRTHDAY


You turned 1. I made a cake. You wanted nothing to do with it. For some reason, I'm still having a hard time coping with this. Which is stupid. As a mother, I should be thrilled that you're not into sugar yet. But I was so hoping for that picture of you, shirtless, pointy birthday hat strangling your neck, colorful cake and frosting in your eyeballs, ears, hair, etc. What's wrong with wanting that memory? Oh well. I guess I'll just take a picture of your father doing that stuff.

YOU GOT SICK, AND THEN YOU GOT SICK AGAIN


This experience truly brought out the "first time parents" in your father and I. We had books out, google up, our mom's on hold, and the drugstore in our house. And then we got sick. Cousins got sick, aunties got sick, grandmas got sick. AND, apparently, this will happen again, we've been told. Unless, of course, I try to keep you in one of these:


I TOURED A PRESCHOOL


Yes, that's right, a preschool that you won't even be attending for another 2.5 years. We have been told, however, that you are supposed to "develop a relationship" with the schools in your area around the time your child turns 1. Your father and I thought that was ridiculous, hilarious, stupid, and then we went along with it. I actually just got back from the tour, and I saw your whole life flash before my eyes. Stay little forever, please.