Dear Jack,

Today you are 34 months old. A caretaker has emerged over the last month, and even though you have been quite mean at times, you seem more concerned than ever about how we are doing. You ask me if I'm happy all the time. I've been sick with a sinus infection, and a few nights ago as we were reading before bed, you popped up and said, "I know what will make you feel better! Stay RIGHT here! I will get you a cup and a wittle bit of water!" And you did. You went to the kitchen and got a cup from your cabinet, climbed onto the bathroom counter, and poured me a cup of water. I don't think you spilled a drop. The words of Maria Montesorri have echoed in my mind this month: "Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed." I'm not sure that I agree totally, but I have made an effort this month not to do things for you in the interest of time or efficiency, and I have been surprised and delighted to see that you really can do so much. You are so determined, but you will ask for help if you can't quite get something done. I love that you try and try again. I made up a little rhyme for when you get frustrated: If you have a problem, don't freak out. Think of a solution and work it out! We repeat that sometimes when your temper flares over a puzzle piece that won't fit, or a toy is just out of your reach.

Since the last letter, you've become OBSESSED with superheroes. Between the cape I made you, your Superman PJs, and a few short youtube videos (thanks, Daddy), you now ask all day long about your favorite four characters.

"Mommy? Is Superman good or bad?"
"Mommy? What does Hulk's song sound like?"
"Mommy? Can Hulk fly?"
"Mommy? What does Batman say?"
"Mommy? Why is Darth Vader bad?"

There are no answers that satisfy your curiosity, or even preclude your repetition of these questions and their variations. I don't plan on showing you these cartoons or movies any time soon, but you seem satisfied with what you imagine these characters to be. You found the comic section at the library and insisted that we take home a Superman book. After a quick, desperate scan I found "Superman in the 40s." Phew! You liked thumbing through it but lost interest pretty quickly. Your obsession with good and evil is really interesting to me, and I feel like comics can be a good direction when you're older.

One of your favorite things to say is pretty smart aleck-y. If Daddy or I ask you "What does that mean?" you invariably say, "That means you," with a smirk. I'm not sure where it came from, but it's pretty cute.

Today you went to the playground with Gram and found a Pez dispenser with the Green Lantern on top (enter a fifth obsession). You held it high like a torch and said "I'm the Statue of Delivery!" You slay me.

It just so happens that we've checked out a lot of books with your name in the title. Jack seems to be a pretty popular title character in children's books. Like the Jacks in your books, you're clever, helpful, imaginative, daring, and brave. I'm really proud of you, all the time. I'm really amazed by you, daily. I feel really grateful to be your mom, always.