Bret's 3rd Birthday Letter

Our Dear Little Bretster-Boy,

Happy Birthday, you precious boy!  You've been anticipating this day so much!  A couple months ago, you got to move into your big boy bed, and woke me up in the middle of the night to ask if you were three now.  As your birthday drew nearer, you'd say, "Is it my birthday now?"  "No, Bret, not yet!"  "Now is it?"  "Now?"  You little stinker!  Being three is a pretty big deal, huh?

When I woke you up this morning, I said, "Bret, what do you want to do today for your birthday?"  You said, "Umm...eat ice cream!"  So like your Daddy!  ;)

This year, your personality has grown by leaps and bounds.  We've always been in love with your twinkly eyes and crooked grin, but this year you've added an extensive vocabulary and a way of telling stories with your head tilted to the side and half-nodding, half-shaking it while your eyes twinkle and one of them squints a little.  It's so hard to describe, but it is definitely a trademark of yours!  You are still a very good-natured kid.  You love to tease and have a good time.  You love to get a rise out of Serena, and have figured out the most effective ways to "push her buttons."  You are also very intense, which is usually the reason you find yourself in trouble.  The other day you told me you liked spankings, though; so I guess it's all good!  ;)

One of your favorite activities is sledding.  Daddy got you a saucer sled and it's one of your prized possessions.  We read in one of the Francis books that Francis slept with her sled (and a myriad of other toys); thankfully, after a little discussion, we were able to convince you that this was a hyperbole, and that sleeping with a sled in your bed was very impractical!  I love when you get back from a sledding adventure and your stories are so big and exciting and your eyes shine and your cheeks are flushed and you just can't quite make your gestures big enough!  It's the best!

Lately, you've been going through a phase of asking us "What would happen if..." questions.  It's pretty hilarious!  The things you think about!!  Usually it's some catastrophic or very dirty calamity that befalls a girl.  Sometimes, it's something naughty that a boy does (maybe something you were considering attempting?).  A few times, it's been really sweet, like, "What would happen if a boy didn't have an Auntie Anna?"

Your relationship with Cody is becoming more and more brotherly.  You still do a little sweet baby-talk/patient play with him, but more and more you are expecting him to understand the rules of play (i.e., it's not okay to take toys)!  Sometimes, I find myself longing for the day when you'll be able to get some of your energy out by wrestling each other!!  With Serena, you play as an equal.  In the last few months, you've been contributing to the story plots of your pretend play quite a bit, and you two have been on lots of adventures together within the confines of our little house this winter!  Of course, there are times when you frustrate her and purposely make her upset; but thankfully, those times are not the general rule, or I think I'd go crazy!!  And then there's the competition.  You and Serena are always in competition with each other and it's becoming more and more of a big deal.  I guess we'll see where that takes us in the coming years!

You have one peculiar talent that has developed very recently, and that is your ability to rhyme!  It drives Serena crazy because she can't rhyme yet (there's that competitiveness again!)!  But we can say any word, and you'll make a rhyme in the next breath.

Your toddlerhood was characterized by your nickname "Poky Little Puppy."  As you've grown out of that baby stage, you are still a master dawdler; but somehow you manage to be in constant motion...just not necessarily forward motion!  ;)

You are a pretty sweet boy, and always quick with a compliment.  It comes out so unexpectedly and sincerely, it usually results in Mommy scooping you up and devouring you with kisses!  You especially like when I wear anything sparkly.  ;)  You have also been heard on several occasions to say "Serena is cool."  I'm just writing it here for future reference, in case documentation is needed.  ;)

You love to be read to, and your favorite book right now is The Little Engine That Could.  Your favorite Bible story is David & Goliath, and one of my favorite things is listening to you retell it.  ;)

At 36 inches tall and 28.5 pounds, you're in the 15th percentile for height and weight.  But, what you're lacking in size you most definitely make up for in personality!  ;)

I'm especially glad to say that at this point in your rough-and-tumble, energetic, trouble-causing, and laughter-inducing life you are still my sweet baby boy who loves Mommy to hold him!  "Mommy, I want you to hold me" is a request I hear often every day and a couple times a night. (You still wake up 1-4 times/night most nights.  I think you've been going through a pretty intense dreaming phase).

And so, my little three-year-old, another year has ticked by!  I'm so very thankful for it, and count the time with you an incredible gift.  God has blessed you, and shown you such grace; I hope that someday you'll be able to see that.

I love you always and forever...because you're mine!