Third Birthday Letter

Dear Noah,

Happy Birthday.

Congratulations on being three.  Three!

Congratulations on being able to tell us that you are now three.  And that next year you'll be four and the year after you'll be five.  And on being able to tell us, earlier in the week, that your birthday is on Tuesday and on Tuesday you'll be three.

Congratulations on being able to climb to the top of the ladder in the gym and hop on one foot and leap from the top of whatever we allow you to leap from.  On figuring out how to ride a tricycle and a balance bike. On being able to get in and out of the car by yourself, brush and floss your own teeth, put on your own shoes and your own coat.

And I suppose I should also congratulate you on being able to do these things on your own schedule, even though your timeframe seldom aligns with mine and it drives me nuts.

You love books, you love to be read to, you correct our mistakes, you ask a million questions, you pick out letters that are in your name.  It's great to see how much your understand.  It makes me so happy to see you start to enjoy books on our own, to "read"to yourself or to your sister.

You love music, and are starting to blossom into a little musician.  Your constant singing and dancing are a delight.  You know the words to tons of songs and are often close to actually singing on pitch.  You like to play the piano but love the guitar.  I have started to become a bit concerned that you are going to grow up to be a rock star.

You are an amazing big brother.  You love and care for Eva, you share your snack and help her walk across the room.  You two tear around the house and crack each other up at the table.  It is clear Eva adores you, and it is clear you are a great role model for her.  Watching the two of you enjoy each other just makes my heart sing.

Noah, you have continued to astonish us this year.  You have firmly moved from toddler to preschooler. You can do so much physically, running and leaping and throwing and climbing and doing all the things regular school-age kids do. Your questions are more complex.  You do not accept the things we tell you until your follow up questions have been satisfied - you probe for inconsistencies and call us on them.

Quite frankly, it's a challenge to keep up with you.  A hilarious, exhausting, inspiring challenge, which we are honored to take on.

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.  Congratulations on being Three.

 
(I know you didn't want your picture taken in your birthday crown from school, but I took a video anyway.  Hopefully you will forgive me in my attempt to capture your awesome birthday energy)