"The best _____ I've ever had."

"And now...I will be a flamingo!"

If I could remember one thing about Henry right now, about to turn three at the end of November, it would be his infectious enthusiasm for everything. My Mom and Dad (and sister, and Hank...) often tease me because when I'm enjoying something, be it a book, movie, food, whatever, I almost always count it as "the best I've ever had." It's to the point where the other day Hank joked that my headstone will read "the best life I ever had!" I don't consciously do it, and usually only recognize I am until I'm in the middle of saying it. But I don't think it's a bad way to be at all. I love that I love things so much, that whatever it is I'm loving is the best thing I've ever loved up until that moment. And it seems that Henry has inherited this same penchant for really, really loving things.

There's been so many instances lately where he's been eating a meal, and stopped and said "MOMMY. This is the very best sandwich (or cereal or cup of orange juice, or more recently, a single olive) I've EVER had. Ever!" Or he'll be watching a movie and exclaim, "oh, I LOVE this part! I just LOVE it!" Hank and I find ourselves laughing every day over how happy such simple things make him. Last week we took a little roadtrip up to Flagstaff, and while visiting the train station Henry said, "Oh I LOVE how many freight cars are on that train! This is really the best train EVER!"

I am constantly inspired by Henry's zest for life and count myself as very, very lucky to be able to spend my days with such a special little soul. It seriously makes me want to cry thinking about what a sweet heart he has, and how much joy he carries with him. One of my biggest jobs as a Mom will be to preserve that excitement as he grows and experiences more of life, and one of my greatest hopes for him is that this enthusiasm stays with him forever.