Dear Evan:
I love words. I like to say I can taste words, and I sort of can, if that makes any sense. So I love that your quick little brain arranges words exactly as you think they should work.
Right now, you’re full of questions. I’ll set aside our immense frustration with “Whyyyyy?” for another letter. More endearing is how you ask “Have you ever seen…?”:
“Ever you sawn a…?”
We love it. We’ve started saying it, correct grammar be damned. I think you know by now that it’s not entirely correct, but you play along. Maybe by the time you read this, you’ll wonder why we still say such a weird phrase.
Almost as cute is “What is this a?” complete with the article at the end of the question. When you think about it through the lens of a toddler still learning the language, it makes sense. After all, we always reply with, “This is a (whatever).” So why wouldn’t you ask what it is a?
You talk so much, and know so many words, it’s sometimes difficult to remember you’re only just three years old. I hope, when you’re reading this, we haven’t treated you as such an adult that you missed out on childhood. It happens sometimes; on weekends, you tend to be my conversation companion for the many hours you’re awake before noon. So we slip like that, and I apologize in advance. Please know we always catch ourselves, and remind ourselves you’re still a child who needs to play and explore and make up your own words and not be told a phrase is wrong just because adults think it is.
I love you,
Daddy
