Five down and Glory

Dear Rex-


Are you 5 already? Seriously?

Young man, you have grown like a weed this year! And speaking of weed, don't ever smoke it. You can cut it with a lawnmower and kill it with pesticide, but leave the other kind alone, its un -American.

Well, I am not "Tah" anymore, but now I am either "Dad" or "George"--some folks get excited about the "dad" part, but I tell them you have things under control---Daniel is "Daddy" and George is "Dad", the same as Mom, Aunt Lyndsay and Uncle Joe call me--and that’s perfectly ok--you know and I know the difference and that’s all that matters. But please know that you can call me George, Dad, Old Man, or mean old SOB if you so choose--just don’t call me Grandpa, because that’s for old folks, and I am NEVER Old when I'm with you, Rex. I'm only old when you leave after a visit, and then I am old and sad. I have tried my best to not cry when you leave, but as everyone knows, that is impossible....everyone else is just going to have to get over it. Grandma still laughs at me when I do it but I always show her my middle finger and she leaves me alone, HA HA!

And hey, we are calling you REX now a lot more than Pottamus Rex, and only Grandma is still saying Pootie.

I am so proud of you starting school this year--you are learning so fast-and writing all your letters, your name, and drawing really great pictures. The teacher even stopped your Mom and told her what a good boy you were--that scared Mom to death because she thought that the teachers talking to parents only meant trouble--that’s because she was thinking about when she went to school! You fooled her!

I am very proud of you learning the Pledge of Allegiance! I also think that it fit nicely as the blessing at our supper and breakfast--I hadn’t ever heard it used like that before but it certainly was sincere and as far as I'm concerned it was PERFECT. Just remember that it is the greatest pledge you will ever take, and means that you love your Country just like you do your family.

Rex, you are so much fun to be around, and you are growing up so fast! You had your first year of Baseball, the greatest game ever, you got all into Captain America, and now Spiderman, and you play the games on the computer without anyone helping you--The bicycle you got last year now fits you, and you're still keeping your hair cut to military standards. Did I mention already how much better I feel when I get to hang out with you? If every old person had a Rex to hang out with, there wouldn’t be any old people! And by the way, thanks for holding my hand and helping me walk to the mailbox after I had my surgery. I was feeling pretty bad until you came to visit, and boy, you really made things better!

Remember when Mom told you no potato chips at breakfast time and they were only for lunch and you changed your lunch time to 0900 hours? That was the BEST! I also thought it was hysterical when you told Mom that when you're at Georges house that you went by Georges rules...Mom didn’t like it too much, but that’s because she doesn’t know that "lunch" is served 24 hours a day at our house.

Cant wait to see you this weekend, buddy. Know that I love you so much it makes me bust! Hope you have the greatest Birthday ever, and remember to not use any 'George' words.

George