Alex, your fifth birthday is today.

You cannot read this yet, but you will one day.  I want to make sure you know what you were like when you were five years old.

You started Pre-K this year and you love school.  You are excited to tell me about your day and what you have learned when I pick you up.

We have a ritual with school when I drop you off and pick you up.  You will not let me turn to your sign in/out page in the notebook at school.  Only you are allowed to find the sheet with your name on it.  This is very important to you.

You have a girlfriend.  You hug her and say goodbye when we leave.

You know your ABC’s and can now write your name.  You recognize your name and the letters when you see them on other things in the world.

You can count to at least 50, maybe more.  50 is where you usually get tired and stop.  You can only write the numbers 1 through 5.

You still enjoy music and have discovered dancing more.  You will mimic music you hear and you will dance out of the blue if the mood strikes you.

You are funny.  Wildly funny.  There are times when we are laying next to each other on the couch and we are laughing so hard we cry.  Those are the most perfect moments in life.

You love the Three Stooges.  You want to watch the Three Stooges all of the time, and love the skit with Shemp and the ironing board.

You are still obsessed with vacuum cleaners.  If you could own 50 of them you would be in heaven.

You love the ocean.  We went to Long Beach for three days in August.  Just you and me.  It was the best time ever.

You love to help me with everything.  Cleaning, dishes, cooking and anything else we do together.  You are the perfect helper.

You spend every Friday with your grandmother and have “Nanny day” together.  You always have a good time and sometimes you stay the night.

You spent your birthday with your mother this year.  I called you this morning but there was no answer.  You called me and told me I had to tell you “Happy Birthday”.  I know you had a good day at your mothers house.

I missed you.

You are loved and enjoyed everywhere we go together.  I get compliments all of the time about you.  You are polite and say thank you and please.  You love to talk to people and make new friends easier than your father ever did.  Thankful that you are not shy like your daddy.

Your favorite color is blue.

You still carry Krabby around but are starting to leave him behind more and more.  Soon you’ll be leaving Krabby behind for good.

You tell me you love me every day.  Most days, you tell me lots.

You have taught me how to be patient and loving.

Love you more than I can ever say or show.

Dad