"Cars 2",Black "Spider-man", and So Much More: James at Three

Dear James,

Here we are again…how is it possible that a year went by already?

Thirty four times January 28th went by, just another day on the calendar, nothing to take note of. Four years ago you turned January 28th from a nondescript day into one of the most significant and my favorite days of the year.

Not to be macabre on your big day son, but I won’t always be here to remind you of who you were during your 4th year on this planet.  I plan on being around for a long while, but what if I am not?  What if my memory fades and I can’t tell you about what a great little boy you became this calendar year?  What if you never knew all of the little idiosyncrasies that made you, you in 2011? (Hint: It again heavily involved Pixar)

As predicted, the first half of your third year was dominated  the anticipation of “Cars 2″.  We must’ve watched the trailer 28 times or so…the miracle of the internet.

Weezer’s cover of “You Might Think”  was played excessively both on YouTube and later Spotify.  My memories of your dance to the better than it deserved remake will forever paint a smile on my face.

Opening day our family was there…you were buzzing, Anna was happy we got the big popcorn.

As per custom I probably watched your face as much as I did the film, the dancing, reflected light revealing your wide eyes and gaping maw, which was filled with popcorn more often than not.  Son, I am not sure your hand was pulled from its tether for more than 30 seconds at a time.

You shot me a Otis Day look of death from when Boone called out to him at the bar each time I tried to get some corn.

If that were all about Cars it would be enough…you bargained for a “Mack Truck Toy” as a reward for potty training completion and earned him before June.  You also lost that beloved toy sometime before Christmas and blamed it on everyone else.

The second half of the year Cars-wise, was all about playing with what vehicles you were lucky enough to get, followed by DVD spam of “Cars 2″ courtesy your soft as putty grandmother.  You lost the right to release day purchase due to an unfortunately timed toy clean up strike.

She continued her rapid regression from parenthood, slipping further into grandparents mode/who the hell are you?

If were only about “Cars” that would have been enough…but no.  You became a mulch-disciplinary, overachieving geek.

• Spider-man: you loved “Swingtacular Spider-man” on Netflix, most especially Black Spider-man, who you went as for Halloween.
• Not content to simply follow the web-swinger you were into Marvel of all kinds: Captain America, Iron Man, the whole bunch.  You were able to play with all the action figures they were dumb enough not to make when I was in full Marvel mode.
• Curious George, you loved him, especially in “Curious George 2: Follow that Monkey”.  Your impression of the young primate, dead on.  Take that Frank Welker, you padawan is waiting in the wings.
• How much do I love you?  I agreed to be your Man in the Yellow Hat this Halloween as you rock out to George.  I hate dressing up. This of course is not in stone, you are going to be 4, and costume ideas change at least 6 times between Labor Day and Columbus Day.
• You were extremely affectionate and took my shift to full-time to heart.  I spoiled you in that way, I guess, always there for you.  Your pleading for kisses and hugs multiple times, every time never got old.  I will never regret the sleep deprivation.
• You started to go to school and got your first kiss from a girl named Maddie.  She took a shine to you, your shy guy routine got old for her…still there are moments.  She serenaded you at school the other day with “Happy Birthday”, Zoo remix.
• Your first backpack and lunch bag, Cars 2, Finn McMissile.
• Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension in Fabulous 2D…you learned how to operate Netflix on the 360…we watched this a lot.  You knew all the words to all the characters, as per norm with all films you watched this year:  “Cars 2″, “Curious George 2″, Toy Story 3″, “Mater’s Tall Tales”,…just like your dad…but better.
• And every film you watched you acted out…a one man show.  You are going to be an entertainer of some kind.  I may be biased, but it is in your heart.
• You are a natural at soccer.  That is not typical parental bias, the ball attached to your toe as if on a string.  I take no credit for that, horrible dribbler that I am.  You were too young take full lessons, but you weaved around the older kids.
• You loved your sister in a profound way.  Sure you battled at times, and sneaking time with her Leapster  was underhanded.  But at your base you were really close.  Don’t ever lose that, I will call you out.
• You had a brush with Santa…let’s leave it at that.
• When you open a toy it is like looking at a portal from the past: you go right to the back of the box to look at other toys you don’t have yet from the collection.
• “28″ will never be just a number to me thanks to you.
• Other movies you saw at the theater this year: “The Muppets” and “The Lion King”
• From the latter, you loved Puumba and his gas, just like your Dad.

It was a great year, too short, but it would be impossible for me to feel otherwise.

You are… my best friend,

I Love You 28,

always,

Dad