In all honesty, we were dreading the thought of traveling with you for five hours on an airplane with no parachutes. However, you were really well behaved and I can tell you tried with every fiber of your being to just keep it together. You did well, and only utilized about two of the six pounds worth of toys and books I brought to keep you amused. Very impressive. The flight home was a little less joyful. Kind of like how our local playground is a little less big than Disney World. But, after many rounds of prescription medications, I'm feeling much better about that whole experience.
You really, really loved being in Mexico. And what wasn't to love? You had Momma, Daddy, Grandma Brenda, Poppa, Uncle Jowely, Aunty Candi, Alyce and Caleb around to entertain you 24/7. You had sand. You had water. You had baby turtles. You had ice cream almost every day. Turtles AND ice cream, you say? Really, I wouldn't lie about these monumental occasions in life, Jack. You became brave enough to walk in the shallow end of the pool all by yourself (with a CSA-approved life jacket, of course) and even managed to "swim" in the deep end with your Dad a bit before we left. You made sandcastles. Well, let me correct that. We made sandcastles and you stomped them down like some flaxen-haired Godzilla. 
One of my favorite memories of you there will be how each night you'd run out to the patio to say goodbye to the sun as it set. Since then, we've had endless discussions about the sun and moon and when we say hi and bye to them. I've never thought this much about celestial cycles since Grade Seven, Jack. I'll also always remember you and your Dad swimming and swimming and swimming. Even when most other guests wouldn't brave the frigid waters of the pool, you and Dad would soldier on and jump and play to your heart's content. You are so very lucky to have a Dad that will endure sub-zero water to see you smile. You truly are a blessed boy.
This trip will remain a special memory for me for the rest of my life, Jack. It was a chance to reflect and remember why we chose to have this little family of ours. It is in those quiet moments of just sitting and doing the simplest of activities that I realized how remarkably beautiful life could be. Collecting rocks from the retreating tide, chasing birds along the sand, eating ice cream with your Grandma on the corner as people passed by and smiled at your little chocolatey-covered face and very chocolatey-covered shirt. This trip was a much-needed reminder to slow down and maybe just stop sometimes. Just stop and take that minute to contemplate the moon in a sunny sky or help you peel a sticker from your book. The wonder is there every day, little boy. I just need those kicks in the pants every once in a while to notice it with you.
All my love,
Your Momma
