"It's broken"

Reese,

I cannot be more proud of you and how much you have grown! We decided a few months ago that near your 3rd birthday we were getting rid of your paci (which you only had at nap time and at bed time). We talked about having a huge "hoorah" with inviting friends and family to come to a park and watch you as you toss your paci's to the ducks. You were ecstatic about it and ready to rock and roll! I on the other hand thought more and more about it and realized it wouldn't be the best idea to "feed pacifiers to ducks". 1.) It would be considered littering in the water/park and 2.) we could potentially hurt the ducks or fish in the water. So here is what worked for us instead...
About a week before your birthday I cut the tip of your paci with scissors and gave it to you (which one day you will read this and know that I lied to you and please forgive me for doing so...it was for your own good)  :). You still took it like nothing was wrong with it. Later that night I cut it even more and then brought it to you. Daddy told you to look at it and told you it was broken. I will never forget your tiny, quiet voice that said, "Oh no, it's broken." That same night it took you an hour or so to finally go to sleep (For the first time in your life! You have always been great at going right to sleep.) You kept the broken paci in the bed with you that night and tried so hard to suck on it. You only woke up once or twice that night asking for another one but when Daddy came in to settle you back down you did just what he asked and went right back to sleep. You would take it broken but would be sad about it for the next day or so. But in the mornings when you would come in our room you would leave it in your bed. That's when I knew you were over it and ready to move on to bigger and better things in life. I think within the next few days we threw it away in the garbage, put it in your dresser and told you it was gone for good since it was broken. You did well at nap time over the next few days. Before laying down you would ask for your paci but after we reminded you it was broken you would just lay down and go to sleep.
I am more than proud of you! It just makes my heart so happy to see you overcome such a hard obstacle in your life. Just goes to show me how strong you are and the wonderful personality you have that keeps you keepin on with life. Can't wait to see all that God has in store for you in your life!

I love you,
Mommy

PS- Now, if you can just "overcome" this potty training thing we will really be ready to rock-n-roll!