When my girls were babies I thought 4 mos. was the perfect age, then I thought it was 5 mos., then 6 mos., then 7 mos. and so on and so on. The truth is -- it just kept getting better and better.
The pessimist in me was waiting for the shoe to drop.
I thought it did when they reached 18 months. But, despite their newfound independence and stubborn streaks, they were still so much fun. Their vocabularies were growing, they were able to participate in activities, they were unabashedly excited about silly things and capable of walking alone.
At 6 years and 4 years, I still find every age that they're at to be the best age. Every age is more fun than the next (not all the time, but...).
At 6, Kelly is now capable of really understanding Christmas. This is the first year I've been able to teach her the real meaning and spirit of Christmas. She helped me shop for gifts for our Angel Tree girl. I explained why we put money in the red kettles -- and what they do with it.
She is giddy about Christmas and cannot contain her excitement which, in turn, makes me giddy and excited about Christmas. She's working on some top-secret gifts for me. And, I assure you, they'll be the best things I receive this year.
At 4, Lauren is inquisitive, talkative, easygoing and freakin' hysterical. The stuff she comes up with cracks me up. A few weeks ago, she told me "Momma...you have a lot of awards (she had been in the spare room where I keep all my race medals and trophies and such)." She said, "You should slow down, mommy, and let Daddy win some. It's not nice to win them all." I burst out laughing.
On Sunday, she asked the question I've been waiting for (that, surprisingly the 6-year-old hasn't asked yet), "Daddy, how do babies get in mommies bellies?" Fortunately, she asked Dan. But, being an easily-distracted and very busy 4-year-old, she didn't even wait for the answer...she was off and running onto something else before I could even step in and rescue him.
The bottom line on parenting? Fraught as it is with pitfalls and annoyances, this mommy gig is a blast.
I keep waiting for it to stop being enjoyable and I keep praying it never will.