Children

Well, I am sitting here surrounded by my boys. Riley has a piece of string he is holding above his top lip saying mustache over and over again. I didn't even know he knew the word mustache. James is singing along with a very old Rugrats movie. Life is great. Some of my happiest times are when my children are just being children.

Things I love about James:
1. He sings VERY loudly with movies and the radio. (Don't you just love the reckless abandon of youth!)

2. He is very loving with his little brother. James will not leave the house without kissing his brother goodbye. Often his kiss is wiped off but it doesn't stop him from showing his love.

3. James is always the first to be by someone's side if they are in need. He is very caring and compassionate.

4. James tells VERY bad jokes. He loves to make up jokes, but honestly, they stink.

5. He will greet people he knows are important to his parents with a firm handshake or a hug. He is very open to accepting and meeting new people.

6. He loves a good book. He will laugh out loud with a funny part. He is an excellent reader.

7. James is a spaz. I love that!! It is just so endearing!

8. James is a bad dancer, but LOVES to shake his groove thing. He will get down and we will cheer him on. His moves are original... never seen anything quite like it before.

9. James will NOT spike his hair up. It must be combed to one side at all times. We keep trying to get him to spice it up a little... but no go.

10. James is the kind of child we could have only dreamed of. He is kind, caring, fun and loving. Who could ask for anything more?


Things I love about Riley:
1. Riley is feisty! He is a fighter. He will not let anything stop him from doing things that others think he can't do yet. He does not give up.

2. Riley thinks he is funny. I love this! He will do something and just crack himself up. I laugh every time.

3. He gives the BEST hugs. He will hug you so hard he shakes! He will grab ahold of your leg or arm and clamp down on you. He even gives a little grunt from all of the hard work!

4. Riley loves to be naked. It is crazy. We have to tell him 20 times a day to go put some clothes on. He looks at going to the bathroom as a chance to get naked.

5. He has the world's best giggle. It is deep and throaty. His giggle just makes you laugh right along whether or not you think something is funny. It is just completely contagious.

6. He LOVES getting his haircut. Riley got potty trained by bribing him with a haircut. Odd but true. He will sit for the barber better than anyone else I know. He thinks the barber is the next best thing to God.

7. Riley never stops moving. He makes the Energizer bunny look like a whimp. Riley does not walk across the room.. he gallops, dances, shakes his butt or does his funny walk. I am sure when he has to walk in line in Kindergarten we will be hearing from the teacher.

8. He loves babies. He loves pictures of babies, movies that have babies in them, seeing babies in other cars or at the store. If he can get near the baby, he always moves in close and says, "Helrow, baby!" He crouches down and uses a tiny little voice. It is precious.

9. Riley loves his blanket. He will kiss his blanket in the morning, when he gets home or just on a whim. He also asks us to kiss it. He does not have to take it places with him, he just loves it. For Riley, it is a special treat when his blanket comes out of the dryer all toasty warm.

10. If Riley had his way he would be on an airplane EVERY day. He loves them. He asks to go in an airplane in the sky almost daily. He loves to watch for them in the sky. He thinks driving by the airport is better than a toy store. Who knows, we may have a future pilot on our hands.

I do believe I am the most blessed mother ever. I was told I would never give birth and along came James. I was told you get daughters from China and along came Riley. I am so glad life has turned what we thought were lemons into the best lemonade ever!!