Saul Benjamin - Age 3

This is it, our last baby to age into the dreaded third year. I’m trying to see this as a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel situation and less like the heart palpitating, why-me scenario. It’s no secret that I hold the age of 3 as solid grounds for not having more children. Clearly, I’m terrible at holding grounds… Any who, we will get through this, this too shall pass, Jesus will take wheel, all those things.

Also, this is a bit of a new lead up to three, because you have turned three before your sister has turned 4… your sister whom you believe walks on water and you have few goals in life beyond doing everything that she does, when she does it, how she does it! Therefore, you have “followed” your way into 3-tendencies before it was necessary. I am going to hope all the hopes that you will follow your way right into 4-tendencies faster than the average bear! This birthday has been the first one that are super aware of. You went to bed last night flying high because “when [you] waked up [you] will be THREE!” You were the first one to sing yourself “Happy Birthday” and though I missed it on the monitor I can imagine your sweet little voice singing its happiest heart song! You are such a joy boy. Smiling is truly your favorite, every day and always! This just so happens to be my favorite Sully trait. You shine your brightest when perched at the top of a shopping cart! Today when I asked you what you wanted to do for your birthday, your first response was, “I go to Aldi!”

Good night, child, you are the self-appointed mayor of Aldi. Aldi is your mecca. Those aisles give you life and produce and chicken nuggets. You greet every unsuspecting fellow patron and employee. Your favorite lines are: “What’s your name?” “What you got in there?” “Why you got that?” or even when they enter checkout lanes with fewer items than you deem adequate, you will spend considerable time and energies trying to convince them “You not done! Go back! Get lots of things like us. We have lots! You need lots too!” We walked into Aldi this morning and found two of your favorite cashiers, whom you know by name, and they you! I cannot be more clear, you LOVE ALDI and its people! We found Lissa and Stephen and you were sufficiently fawned over, celebrated and high-fived! Everyone got a big laugh out of your chosen birthday experience. Again, you brought the JOY! We left Aldi but you were not done shopping and so we headed to Walmart (where I actually had a list of needs). One of those needs brought us to pharmacy where you charmed the socks off the cashier who could not get enough of your sweet little voice and facial expressions. You left the pharmacy with stickers and a grape flavored blow-pop. JOY!

After Walmart we picked up Rosie from school and she joined us for a picnic lunch at a park. Aldi, candy, take-out, alfresco lunching, parks, and a “peach” (peach = beach = sand volleyball court) you were losing your mind before noon! JOY!

Capped the day with a restaurant dinner and the long awaited birthday cake at home. You are a dream baby and so easily pleased.

Thank you for being our baby. Thank you for threeing well, so far! Thank you for being my shopping buddy and opening all the produce bags for me. You have brought such joy to our family and we love you times infinity. Sully B. Kunz you are terrific and this world needs your smiles… Just keep smiling, sweet boy!