Dear Jackson

Dear Jackson,

I can't believe that today is your 5th birthday. It seems as though just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital, and here you are today turning 5! When you were just a baby someone told me that I would blink and you would be starting kindergarten. I laughed it off, having no idea just how true that statement was. Now the time for kindergarten has come, and I'm not quite sure where the time has gone. I joke with you all the time about how I didn't give you permission to grow up, and that I'm going to put a brick on your head. You laugh at me, but I'm only partly joking! I wish that I could just freeze time and enjoy every second possible with you.

At five years old you are such a smart kiddo! You are so ready for kindergarten, even though you are going to be one of the youngest kids in your class. You can sight read some words, count to 10 in Spanish, tie your shoes, and even do some basic math. I know that as hard as it is going to be to take you to kindergarten on Tuesday, you are going to do great! I hope you don't see me cry when it's time for me to go! They won't be tears of sadness for you, but for me. It's hard for me to even think about you growing up and me letting go of you a little more. At any rate, you will do wonderful, and I know that you will love Mrs. Smith!

Jackson you are such a kind, generous, and funny little guy! You've really come out of your shell in the last year and your personality has just blossomed. You still look just like your Daddy, but you act just like your Mama! You pick up so many of my sayings and surprise me with using them at just the perfect time! You have been such a good big brother to Anderson, and it makes me so happy to see you loving on him, especially when he smiles back at you! You two boys make me so happy! Every single day you make me proud to be your Mama!

During your birthday party, in the middle of opening presents, you leaned over to me and whispered a "secret" into my ear. You said, "Mama, I love you!" Time stopped for me in that second and I grabbed you and gave you a big hug and I told you that I loved you too. Until you have kids of your own you won't understand just how much I love you. I wear a necklace that is inscribed with your and Anderson's names, and it reads, "Love you to the moon and back." I wear my necklace all the time, and as much as I love it, the inscription is only party true because I love you to the moon and back a million times!

Happy 5th Birthday, Jackson! I love you!!!

Love,
Mommy