Who needs "perfect" with eyes like these?

Meet Alden, who has never even had the desire to be perfect. Sorry bud, but it’s true. You and easy have never even been in the same state, let alone the same ballpark. Start, for example, with the fact that you won’t go anywhere outside the house, or to bed for that matter, without your “security blanket.” I know that sounds pretty innocuous, except that it has never actually been a blanket. It started as two freshly bought Disney DVD’s, whose pristine plastic backs were just primed for nice long scratches – you know, the type that come from tossing them down the street to see how far they slide. (Believe me, there was no sense arguing on this, unless we wanted to drag you around by your kicking feet.) But that is not all. The list of ‘must carry’ items has steadily grown. It now includes 7 Disney and Pixar DVD’s, in their proper cases; 1 Scooby Doo lunch box; two tubes of toothpaste -- SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer, respectively; “Mr. the King” from the movie Cars; and at least one book of the moment, or the occasional ball. Just try carrying that, plus you, plus a bag of groceries or two.

Then there is the fact that you won’t eat anything but Apple Jacks and French Fries these days. Ok, Ok, so you’ll also eat anything with more than 50% sugar, and occasionally you’ll participate in rice and fish sticks. But that’s it, and you’re getting dang skinny. Yet, if we put any other kind of food on your plate, you throw a grand mal seizure. We do know a lot of dentists these days, and I often think about getting one of those handy devices that pry your mouth open for wisdom teeth extraction. It could be useful for, say, jamming food in there. . . . Of course, I am just kidding, we have never forced you to eat anything. Besides, Kath pointed out that you can’t swallow if your mouth can’t close. (So much for Intelligent Design . . .)

Yet you rescue yourself from the doghouse of “difficult” every time. Sometimes, it is the fact that you pat me on the back when I’m carrying you, or the sudden recollection of the way you run when you’re happy – at full speed, with both arms behind you, chest and head thrust forward, and a wide open smile on your face -- in perfect Chariots of Fire form. At other times it’s because you are constantly picking out even the smallest of trademarks --“look, there’s Pixar (or Disney, or Noggin, or THX, or the all time favorite, Nick Jr.),” and I realize that you are every marketer’s dream child. Two weeks ago it was because you ran over to a garbage can in McDonalds, and as I steeled myself for the worst, you began reading off each letter in the words “thank you” that were printed there. (“Look dad, there’s a “T!”) How can you not smile at a two and a half year old that can recognize almost every letter in the alphabet?

But most of the time, it is because I can’t get out of my head the way you say “I wuv you dad” when I put you to bed. I love you too, buddy.