Oh Mr. Veepee. My Mr. Veepee. We keep saying the same thing, but it bears repeating given the words hold so much truth. Tempus fugit. At warp speed. It's hard to believe that 5 years ago, you were this soft, squishy little thing we had to hold and carry and rock to sleep. More incredible still that today you are an active board member with opinions (oh man, the opinions, soooo many opinions...just..erg), thoughts, observations, and never ending chatter (don't stop that by the way, we love it). You are zooming your way through Kindergarden, learning new things every day, traveling, exploring and just having a ball most of the time. You make us remember our own early experiences, and it's a good thing. Nothing like having you as a constant reminder to stop and live in the moment for a bit.
2013 has been a long year, but a good one. We've been to NYC (twice!), to France, to Newport, to Legoland, to Tahoe. Lots of miles, and so many more adventures still to go (we marked the Statue of Liberty off your list this weekend, Canada last weekend, and yes, your desire to see the Eiffel tower is noted and recorded). Just as you are learning all manner of new things, so are we (investing, mass psychology, how to be a cranky old dodger, all the continuing advances in technology). You will grow up with so many different paradigms than we did, its almost breathtaking to stop and think about this. But where were we? Ah yes, the recap. In a nutshell: tons of travel, beaches, pools, lakes, lots of sun, an INSANE quantity of grrrreat food, and many chances to have downtime as a family and connect/interact/enjoy who we are at this juncture in time. 2013 has made us recognize our blessings, and end the year with a feeling of deep gratitude. Perfection does not come to us easily (if at all), but it is nice to know that there are a golden list of rules to work towards.
Hopeful that 2014 yields some even better changes (more self discipline, less gadgets and more focus on the human interaction) and more adventures (will we finally get to go down under and visit the most far flung outpost of Binkomonster? That's the plan anyway...)
Here's to understanding and appreciating what we have, and to looking forward to a bright new year!
Love you little guy.