Dear Jackson,

I’m guessing you greased the wheels on this past year because it slid by us crazy fast! So much adventure and change – happy birthday, little dude!

You’ve really filled up your dance card this year, picking up lots of new skills and fun interests. Like father, like son – you’ve had your first go-round of golf lessons. And who needs training wheels on your bike? Not this kid! Apparently, you feel the need – the need for speed – as you race down the sidewalk. You also seem to have joints made of spaghetti. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone dance quite so expressively as Jack the Rubber Band Man. Highly entertaining!

Making friends is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy when you’re Jack Vick. That makes total sense because you’re so much fun! There’s no limit to your imagination, having sharpened your pretending skills in Miss Jen’s Enchanted Forest at school. Costumes and dressing up in silly outfits help you to slip into character at the drop of a hat. You. Are. A. Hoot!

You’re the perfect fifth wheel for your family! Swimming upstream in a sea of sisters and girl cousins, you manage to (mostly) fit in and add some snips and snails and puppy dog tails to their sugar and spice and everything nice. You’re the pup brother Maggie and Winnie never knew they needed – but now can’t live without. You’re Dad’s little buddy and Mom’s little snuggle bug. Where would we be without our Jack-a-Doodle?!

A few other extras…you’re on the verge of learning to read, fueled by your sisters’ love of books. Also shared with your sisters is a love of all things Dude Perfect. You are Tyler Toney 2.0! And since you’re slowly being introduced to Star Wars, we went with Yoda and Company for your birthday party theme. May the Force be with you.

Did you track your mileage this year? You’ve been places, Jack! A cabin in Oklahoma (okay, not that far away), Disney World, the Florida coast, and then back across the country to Disneyland – what’s next?! Can I go with you?!

What’s endearing to this Milly’s heart is that at the end of every adventure is still just a cute kiddo who loves his Tigey and an accidental nap. Soon enough, you’ll be a big kid, but I’m not rushing that. On your fifth birthday, I’m praying that you’re building memories and character that will help you to grow into the man God intends for you to be – one day at a time. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

Always loving you with all of my heart,

Milly