Happy Birthday Jack!

Also a shout-out to all our family March birthdays: cousins Alexis and Lori earlier this week, Grandpa Nold on the 9th, and Aunt Lisa on the 14th!

How can it have been 4 years already since that bitter and snowy March day in 2008 when Jackson Alexander was born?

Jack has grown and matured so much this past year; in many ways I feel like he's a completely different little boy than he was on his 3-year old birthday. Over the last year, he started preschool, became potty-trained, and has had some significant changes in his personal life--learning to deal with a mobile little sister, and adjusting to a new au pair. As you can see, the new au pair adjustment was not a problem at all :)

It's been amazing to see the effect that preschool has had on Jack and his social skills. While I could do without some of the things he picks up at school ("don't look at me!", etc.), I've been so happy to see how he enjoys playing with and talking to the other kids. Whenever we're out where there are other children; not just at school, Jack initiates contact with others, talks to them, and they play well together. It's hard to believe this is the same child who as a 2-year old was always in his own little world when there were other kids around, and who on his first day of playschool, wouldn't move the entire day from his chair at the table. Jack's teachers say he is always very polite, shares, and takes turns with his classmates (if only we could get him to do the same with his sister at home.)

And I know every parent thinks their child is the most clever and intelligent, but I'll still go ahead and say that I think he's one of the smartest 4-year old boys I've ever met. His math skills are impressive--he can almost count to 100, he can do some backwards counting, and he's even learning some basic addition/subtraction. Jack LOVES spelling. He's constantly asking how to spell words, and he can sound and spell many short words all by himself. (Downside to spelling and recognizing words--makes it harder for me to skip around when I'm reading to him.)

Jack still has a passion for all things ceiling-related. If there's a ceiling fan nearby, on a TV commercial, inside a store that we're driving by, he'll find it. He can also immediately walk into a room and point out where and how many light bulbs are burned out.

And while he may have his more exasperating moments, he's still the sweetest, cutest, and most loving little boy ever. I'm not looking forward to that day in the future when he decides he doesn't like to sit on my lap anymore or want to snuggle on the couch together.

Jack, we love you more than words can say. We've been so proud of you over this past year, and we can't wait to see the great things you'll do while you're 4. I'll never forget that night in 2008 when you made us parents for the first time. Happy birthday my beautiful boy!