5.5!

Dear Jameson,

Good grief time is flying, my love.
Well, you're as amazing as ever.  You've started to read, you're doing great with numbers and counting, adding and subtracting.  All those basics :)

You're eating great- in fact a little too great.  You never used to like typical 'bad' things (sweets, soda) but boy do you like cookies, candy and now sips of soda every once in a while.  It's hard to remember how difficult it was to get you to eat anything new, or anything at all.  Your favorites right now are still mac n cheese, pizza (you love pizza rolls, bagel bites), chicken fingers- typical kid stuff.  Your favorite dinners right now are biscuits and gravy and "green" (pesto) pasta. You're doing great though with eating whatever I make for dinner.  You still eat a tortilla and cheese for breakfast every single day.  This has gone on for a couple of years I think!

You had a wonderful year at preschool- you made new friends, learned how to socialize and resolve conflicts. You are adored by your teacher, Teacher Gail and pretty much anyone that has contact with you.  Your favorite friend from school is Coco, we will have to set up another play date with her soon!  You loved playing "doggy" at school, that was so funny.  I was able to be helping parent at the school about once a month, that was sure fun to watch how you interact with your peers.

Kindergarten starts August 10/11th.  You'll be going to Summit View Elementary, though we had first registered you with Northridge Elementary.  It seems like a great school, we have played on the playground and we'll visit later next month.  The reason for the switch- we're moving! Again.

I think you're excited about the move.  You probably think people just move all the time. I promise we will really make this our home for the long haul.  It's a better house, a great neighborhood and the yard is crazy- I hope you do well with so much change, I'm not really concerned, you're very resilient and good natured about just about everything!

I don't think I posted about it last time, but we do have a new dog, Nya.  Naughty Nya that is.  She's a boxer/mastiff/french bulldog mix and you two are best friends.  She is SUCH a good dog with you, she lets you do just about anything- not that you mistreat her or anything. We had a few rough moments at first, but I think you've really learned how to treat her well and how to manage your frustration when she invariably does something that upsets you.  She is naughty though- she has chewed up so many things and scratched doors, cabinets.  I'm a little worried about the new house, but we started crating her and there's a great dog run there so hopefully we'll manage ok.

Back to you- I really can't say enough good stuff about you!  You're so thoughtful, you have great manners, you have the sweetest most tender heart.  You're SO funny too, little clown.  Your relationships with everyone in your family are so strong and beautiful.  I love talking to you, you have some tough questions, funny questions, and some fabulous philosophies on life.  If I'm ever unsure, upset, or generally feeling down- connecting with you is like medicine.  I'm instantly calmed, uplifted and happy.  You give off such a zest for life, you are almost always in such a great mood, you handle change like I wish I could, and you just love your life every single day.

Ok sweetie, I'll end this here.  We have a lot going on in the next few months- so I'll be sure and update after Christmas about the second half of your 5 year old year.

I love you more than anything,

Love, Mommy