Crazy Kids

My children keep me laughing.  I find them totally entertaining.  Where do they come up with this stuff?  

In the above picture, Jersey #3 is holding a bouquet of corn dogs.  That was our lunch one afternoon, and he gladly collected the leftovers from his siblings, and volunteered to finish them off.  He has a hearty appetite.  Actually, his appetite is becoming legendary.  Our children were having dinner at a friend's house recently.  My friend made her famous homemade macaroni and cheese, a dish that my children really love.  Jersey #3 ate 4 helpings!  As my friend was serving his 3rd helping, Jersey #3 asked her, "so, what's for dinner tonight?"

Earlier this week, we were getting ready to leave the house.  I told the children to get their shoes on, and load up in the van.  Jersey #4 informs me that she was missing one of her sandals.  She tried to assure me that it would be fine for her to only use one sandal, saying, "It's Ok, Mom.  I can hop on one foot."

I have been having trouble getting Jersey #5 to understand that he cannot jump into a pool of water on his own, because he cannot swim.  He has to wait for me to give him the OK to enter the water, so that I can keep him safe.  While at the pool the other day, Jersey #5 attempted to communicate his intentions.  He informed me, "I jump myself.  You catch me when I am under the water."  (Well, that is certainly how things have been occurring,  as I have been rescuing him all summer...)

I have to be more careful about laughing at my older girls.  They are growing into young ladies, and that comes with an element of moodiness and sensitivity, as they find their place in the world.

Jersey #1 informed me that it is really stressful being an "almost pre-teen."  If that is a sign of things to come during the teen years, we are in a heap of trouble!  Oh the drama.

Jersey #2 is bold in her approach to life.  She mentioned that she actually misses seeing all her doctors.  I explained that her life is a lot different when she is healthy and normal, than when she is dealing with health issues and having frequent medical appointments.  I told her that there is a lot of attention on her when she is facing a major health challenge, like heart surgery.  I agreed that it may seem like she is getting less attention now, but that she was really able to enjoy more out of life now too, and can get attention for the quality of her character and service to others.  She agreed with my assessment and then stated matter-of-fact, "Well, you know I like attention!"  So true.

I am really enjoying their current ages:  9, 7.5, 6, 4, 2.5 .  We have just about grown right out of the infant/toddler years, but the teen years are not here yet.  Sometimes I wish I could just freeze frame right now.  And, to think that I thought having infants and toddlers and preschoolers was fun.  Who knew it gets so much better!