Three years, seven months

Holy summer of summers, Batman. I can't name too many things you didn't do this summer, Jack. Maybe we missed scaling the Himalayas and wrestling a crocodile, but other than that, I think we managed a pretty clear sweep of the key things a boy must do during his third summer.

Because your brother is too little this summer to do all the grand things a three-year old is capable of, your dad and I decided to split some time between the two of you so you both got to do things that worked for you. For Evan, that meant eating grass at the park, and then rocks in front of the house, and then assorted bugs at Grandma's and Poppa's cabin. For you though, it was a whole new world of camping, travelling with cousins, overnight stays in trailers and endless days of running, playing and have the world revolve around you. Three sucks, doesn't it?

Dad took you for your first ever camping expedition to Dinosaur Park. Dinosaurs AND a park? How could this not meet every little boy's fantasies? On the bright side, the dinosaurs were mind blowing and terrifying and awesome. On the less bright side, camping stunk. You, my little friend, are not yet a full-fledged fan of the great outdoors, particularly in the midst of torrential wind storms. But really, who can enjoy a place where you are constantly wondering which of the dinosaurs are going to spring to life and scare the living daylights out of you?

I took you to Grandma's and Poppa's cabin for a few days of fun, fishing and full out three-year old fantasy. You could not have been more excited to see the trailer we would be sleeping in for those few nights. I should not, however, dismiss it as a simple trailer. No no no. It was a large, powerful locomotive of which you were the commanding engineer and conductor. And Grandma and I were the weary passengers taking part in your never-ending journey. Had I known all it would take to amuse you for hours on end was to park a 24-foot trailer in the backyard, man, I'd have done that months ago.

Add to this a trip out on the boat and your first fishing expedition, and you were one happy guy. You were very happy to touch the fish you were catching, until Grandma and I got all squirrelly when you and Poppa pulled a jackfish on board. You sensed our hesitation with dealing with that particular type of sharp-toothed monster of the dee...I mean, fish...and refused to touch fish any more. You loved helping reel them in and were so excited to see them, but touching, mey, who needs it.

Top that off with a trip to Elbow to visit your cousins, Stampeding with another cousin, endless visits to the zoo and Heritage Park and all the water park fun you could want, and that, my little friend, was one heck of a summer. If I could be three again, that's exactly how I'd live that year. I'm so thrilled your dad and I could be such a big part of it and we each had some time on our own with you to truly enjoy the little boy you are. It's going too fast, Jack. It's just going too fast.

Love,

Your Momma