Three and Three Quarters

Dear Max,

Who needs to pay for entertainment when you have a 3 year old to provide it for free? Fighting fires remains a top priority in our house, but there is still time for creating train tracks, building castles, and transporting sand in the sand box. The belts for Mommy's robe and gift ribbon keep disappearing only to later be identified as part of your knot-tying experiments. You have created some awesome dance moves, which you refer to as "rockin". When we are in the car, you put on your Furman hat, ask for music, and proceed to rock down the road.

Lately, we have noticed you developing a new trait - sneakiness. You will deliberately do things you have been asked not to do....and try to do it without us seeing. For example, Pelt now lives on your closet shelf between sleeping times. On more than one occasion, you have taken your wastepaper basket, turned it upside down, and used it as a stool to reach Pelt. After Pelt was placed on a higher shelf, you decided to stack up your books in order to reach it. Mommy and Daddy were not pleased. The only saving grace is that you have no desire to hide your sneakiness once you are finished. You are very eager to tell on yourself! The confession is usually accompanied by a sinister laugh. "Did you hear that loud crash? That was my books falling down. Don't worry, I wasn't standing on them when they slid down. Hehhh hehh hehh."

We spend a lot of time reading books. Your bookshelf is completely packed (partly because you won't let us keep any books for Sarah in her room), and you are demonstrating a remarkable talent for organization. The short board books are on the top, medium length books on the middle shelf, and long books are on the bottom. Guess which shelf you choose from the most? You also refuse to leave covers on hardback books, insisting they need to look like the other books. There is an impressive pile of book covers in the closet. I could not even begin to list all your favorite stories, but you are partial to series at the moment - Curious George, Clifford, Franklin, and Berenstein Bears. You always look at the back cover and point out the pictures of the books you have in the series and the ones you still need.

I could tape you all day long and would still not be able to capture all the hilarious things that come out of your mouth! Often we have to leave the room or step into the pantry to hide our smiles and laughter at your antics. Especially since you are boycotting clothes lately. Sometimes I leave you in the room fully clothed only to return to find you running around in your underwear. Given that your scrawny body makes you look like a famine victim, it is quite the sight.

Although you are mostly Daddy's boy, you do consent to "Mommy-time", too. You continue to be full of hugs, squeezes, and kisses for your family. And your sweet smile and dimple can make me forgive any offense. Thanks for all the laughs!

Much love,

Mommy