On Being Their Mom; Who They Are Now.

Ezekiel. 

This 5 year old loves hard.

He prays. For everyone.
He loves his mama.
He calls me his sweetheart and tells me I am the light of his life. He said to me the other day, "Mommy, when I find a wife, you will still be my first sweetheart. I will come visit you."

He wears his heart on his sleeve (just like mama). He loves hugs and back rubs. He will not sleep alone and he's a super picky eater. He looks you in the eye when he talks and he uses his hands when he explains something. He wants long shaggy hair and prefers pajamas and bare feet.
This boy can count to 100, build a crazy cool Lego tower, pull a fast ninja kick, run like the wind and throw a mean pitch.

Being a twin ("twin B"), he teeters between oldest and middle-child personalities. He is often the mediator between brother, Eli ("twin A") and baby brother, Ike. 

Some current favorites:
Snow
Wrestling with his brothers

Shopping
Babies
Reading to others
Telling jokes
Drawing
Big Hero 6
Ninjago
Iron Man
Ninja Turtles (Mikey)
The story of Moses from the Bible
Eating apples

"When I grow up I want to be a dad and a helper; 
and maybe a ninja."

Elijah.

He says, "Mommy, I'll  love you forever, but when I grow up, I'm  going to live with Grammy." 

First thing that comes to mind about this five year old... hardcore stubborn. 

This one can argue like no other. Even if he's wrong, he'll argue you under the table. Just slightly on the shy side, give him an opening and he'll also talk you under the table. Transparent. He'll share his life story. Then he'll ask about yours. Then he'll share some more. 

He's sharp. He can count and read, but prefers to make his own rules when it comes to learning. 

The kid's got memory. And he remembers for years. He's  good about reminding you what you said. You know, like when you were certain he was out of earshot (!). 

When Eli is not sleeping or getting over first-morning-cranks, he is always moving.

"He's got moves like jagger". The kid can bust a move and loves to coordinate his dance moves. 

He loves to learn about "the old days" and has a slight obsession with volcanoes. 

Some current faves:

Ninjago 

Ninja Turtles (Raphael)

Dancing to rock n roll

Racing

Drawing 

Making up stories and telling them

Going to Grammy's

Family movie nights 

Deconstructing anything and everything to see how it works

Big Hero 6

Wrestling 

Volcanoes

History

Summertime

Swimming

Myrtle beach 

"When I grow up I want to be a racer. 

And when I'm a dad, I'll let my kids stay up as late as they want!"

Isaac. 

Hurricane Isaac.

This three year old is tough.as.nails. My biggest challenge yet. God's way of bringing  me to my knees? I think so. And I'm learning. 

He's big, he's smart, and he's just as cute as can be. 

In the three short years he has been with us, I think Ike has humbled us all.

His big brothers are his "best fwiends". Most days. He wants to do EVERYTHING they do and up til recently, he was sure that he was five just like them. 

He can count to 10 and write an "I" for Isaac. He likes to join in for school time and loves to draw with big brothers. He says "poop" and  "pee" much too often and tells way too many knock knock jokes usually ending in a banana pooping. 

He loves pretend play and building with Legos.  This kid is happiest when playing in water or mud or muddy water.

 His current favorites:

Ninja Turtles 

Diego

Puppy dogs

Leap Frog Letter Factory

Team Umizoomi

Blocks

Chocolate milk

Yogurt

His paci

His "clutchie" (taggie blanket)

Cowboy boots

Rocky-bye with mommy

Drawing and painting 

Riding his bike

Breaking silence

Giving hugs

Smiling

"When I grow up I'm going to marry you mommy 

and I want to be a dad. "