Note to Jackson

Jackson is an extremely special little boy -- and yes, I'm saying that because I'm his father.

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Jackson, I had a chance to really sit and watch you over the weekend and I am so proud of you. Yes, you were a pain in the butt quite a few times; but you did exactly what I would expect of you. When you were tired, you showed it. When you were hungry and tired, you showed it even more! And when you were happy, oh, how you showed it!

I love how you give 200% in everything you do -- you are so dedicated. Even if it's dedicated to something I don't want you to be doing at the time... Like dumping sand out of the sandbox.

I sat and just watched you last night after I finished dinner -- you were watching TV, eating some popcorn and drinking your ice water (always ICE in the water for you). You are so intent; you are so animated! You are a very good looking boy, too -- even though others flock to Porter's blonde hair and blue eyes, you've got quite a good look about you in your own right.

Jackson, you make me laugh -- the things you say, how you name things after common objects (Sand and Grass, the dinosaurs; Balloon the bear), how you get so excited telling me of your latest antics. You know how to make people smile.

One of the best parts of the weekend was you standing out in the hallway scared at 3 in the morning on Sunday night and me bringing you to mom and dad's bed -- and how we both woke up to the 8 o'clock sun and just spent a few quiet minutes together first thing in the morning.

I know I get mad at you and I know I punish you when you are bad, but that's part of life -- you have to follow the rules. But Jackson, I love you so very much -- and I'm glad you are the boy you are at 4 1/2. Don't ever give that up!