Better Late than Never - Happy Birthday Jack!

Poor Jack's birthday fell in the middle of a lot of craziness in our lives, so he never got a birthday blog post. I figure late is better than never, so here it is! Happy Birthday Jack-a-roo! What a quick and fun four years it has been! Here are some of my favorite things, and memories, about Jack:

• When Jack was born, like every other newborn, he was crying when he hit that cold, bright world. But I will never forget the moment he was handed to me and I said hi to him. He immediately stopped crying and just stared up at me. It was love at first sight for both of us.
• Jack is my little book reader. From very early on, Jack liked to read. I remember one of his daycare providers joking about Jack bringing her book after book every day. Even now he will sit and listen to a dozen books at a time or even more. Not too long ago he said to me, "Mommy, I can't wait until I can read."
• Jack is such a well rounded kid. He is a sports nut and will wrestle and rough house like the toughest, roughest kid around. Then a few minutes later he will snuggle his baby doll and tell me he is rocking her to sleep. He loves everything from sports, to princesses, to sea creatures, to trucks, and just about everything in between!
• Jack will talk your ear off. Just today when he got up from nap he talked for about 30 minutes straight to me. He starts most of his comments with, "Hey Mommy..." His first two words were "Mama" and "no," which brings me to the next thing about Jack...
• Jack is incredibly independent and stubborn. He wants to do everything his way, in his own time, by himself. (Unless it is picking up his toys, then he says, "Do I have to pick them all up by myself?????") He will argue a point for as long as you will allow it to go on. He always wants to be right and he always wants the last word. We're working on this with him, but good luck to his future wife!
• Jack is hilarious. The other day we were getting a few last minute items for the Christmas tree at Walmart. I was looking at some lights and turned around to see Jack wearing a three foot, gaudy, tinsle-y blue tree on his head like a dunce cap. He just grinned and said, "Look at me, Mommy!" We, of course, now own a three foot, gaudy, tinsle-y blue tree. Best $6 ever spent!

Jack is a typical preschooler and tries our patience on a regular basis. However, we know he is a really good kid, and love that so many of our friends and family tell us how wonderful he is. I am amazed at how smart he is, but am also incredibly proud of what a good person he is becoming. He is thoughtful, kind, sweet, and funny. The fact that so many kids really like playing with Jack tells me that he is becoming the kind of person we hope he will be. We are so proud of our little Jack-a-roo and love him all the way to Planet 51 and back!