Dear Alex

Dear Alex,

You may be younger than Ari by a minute but you are certainly our big boy...at three years old you are the height of an average four year old and most people can't even believe you and Ari are twins. You tower over most of your friends, but you are a gentle giant and always ready with a hug and kind words.

You are emotional- you are quick to cry out in frustration but even quicker to explode with joy and love with exuberant passion. You are impatient, but you probably got that from Mommy. Whereas Ari is Daddy's Girl, you're Mommy's Boy. When you wake up in the morning or from a (now rare) nap, you tell Mommy, "cuddle with me." It's one of Mommy's favorite parts of the day.

You love (ok, are obsessed!) with trucks and everything related to construction. You can name all of the different kinds of trucks (even correcting Mommy's general moniker of "tractor" with the more technical name, like a backhoe or payloader) and can spot a truck a mile away, even before Mommy or Daddy has seen it. All you wanted for your birthday was a recycling truck which, luckily, Mommy found two days before your birthday.

You have an incredible memory for both events and locations- you remember places we've been long after we have visited just once and can recall details with astounding accuray.

You adore music and singing. You make up words to familiar tunes and remember lyrics quickly. You also love to dance and know how to turn the CD player on to your favorite music. You're less likely than your sister to jump into adventures like the moon bounce or going underneath the parachute, but (thankfully!) you are better about trying new foods.

You can spend all day riding your tricycle around and around and around the house. You have a great talent for physical activities like climbing and balancing and also for building and design. You build great masterpieces from blocks and lincoln logs.

You have always had a knack for meeting new people and aren't shy about speaking up. You love dogs, especially Sammy and Izzy's dog Billy, and don't mind asking neighbors walking their dogs if you can pet them (you know always to ask first!) You love your friends and give them lots of hugs and are always concerned if you see someone crying.

You're our big, lovable teddy bear. Mommy knows there will probably come a day when you no longer ask to cuddle, but for now she's going to savor every single day.

Happy Birthday, our lovebug Alex.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy