It's all coming back to me...

It's Monday... again! So, I started watching my nephew last week. I have him a half day each day while his momma works. He is 2, like my ladybug (4 months apart) & reminding me of what my life was like just 2 years ago when kiddo #3 was this age.
I am exhausted! Haha!

The funny thing to me though, is that he's learned something this week... his Aunt knows all the tricks! :)

This is not my first 2 yr old boy RODEO! It's like that scanner for carry-ons at the airport. He walks past me, & I can see right through him. Haha! AND his tricks don't work on ME... I have 5 kids, not much does.

I've also learned something this week. 2 year old boys are all the same! Different personalities- YES! My boys are like night & day! But the way they go about things is the same.

• They like trucks, cars, & all things that go fast.

• They like lions, tigers, dinosaurs & things that ROAAAAAR!!!

•They like to be outside. A lot!

• They ALWAYS say "no" if you ask "are you poopy?"

• They like to play fight & wrestle, even if it's just their toys doing it.

• They CAN BE very sweet.

• They don't ever stop moving.

• If they get quiet- you better find them... FAST!

I'm back in the swing of things this week & it's cracking me up. It took me a full week to remember.

So, this week... I'm ready for him.

TOP TEN... Mommy Moment

My Top Ten "Mommy Moments"

10. The birth of my first baby. I didn't really like babies, but the moment I held that sweet boy in my arms, I became a mommy. I've never been the same again!

9. The first time #3 screamed at me. There are lots of reasons behind his behavior, but I think a small part was God's little way of saying "see, you don't have it all figured out"! :)

8. When I was able to lead my 2nd & 3rd children in the prayer of salvation. I had never led anyone to Christ before this. SUCH a significant moment as a Christian AND a mother!

7. The day we had our home birth. If you haven't read my posts on this, check out "My Journey to Ezrah" & "Ezrah's Homebirth". Life-changing!!

6. The first time I got 3 kids down for a nap @ the same time. I felt like I had conquered the world!

5. When I first went to the store alone with 4 children. I remember being SO scared! The baby (now 2 1/2) was 6 weeks old & this was before we used cloth diapers, so I HAD to go get diapers. By the time I left... she was crying, the kids were so close to a meltdown- I could feel it, & I was sweating in the checkout! Haha! Now look at me! :)

4. Birthday parties! All of them. Even the ones I felt were not "my best work", I still know a part of me was put into that event. My kids know that their parties aren't JUST a party. It's my love language! It's how I show them I care so deeply for them... & they LOVE IT!

3. Those "shining homeschool moments" as I like to call them... the ones where we enjoy an activity as a family, that supplements something we're learning, & everyone has fun LEARNING together!

2. Putting my babies to bed. It didn't used to be easy. It used to be me... all alone while daddy worked... sitting in the floor crying & nursing, while the other kids cried in their beds. Thank GOD we figured out that we could do bedtime HOWEVER we want! Ha! It's like we thought there was a right & a wrong way! Or that we should do what everyone said bc it worked for them... well, guess what? My kids are different. Not better. Not worse. DIFFERENT! When I figured that out, my whole life changed!

1. When I decided to enjoy every stage my children were in, rather than constantly wishing for the next one! I know the moment it happened. I became many years wiser that day!

So... what moments make up your Top Ten as a mommy? I'd love to hear. Start the convo in the comments below!

Top Ten... BEDTIME

Top Ten things my children tell me @ bedtime

10. "Noooooooooo!!!!!"

9. "Are you gonna pray?"
Yes son, just like I do every night.

8. "Are you gonna sing my song?"
Yes son, just like I do every night.

7. "I'm so hungry"
Something about a bed apparently burns all your calories in about 10 seconds. ;)

6. "Will you lay with me?"
Yes, I'm in your bed aren't I? :)

5. "I'm thirsty"
Although they might be, they're each only allowed a sip... unless I wanna change 4 sheets in the night! Haha! I don't. :)

4. "I have to go potty!"
Usually this is an attempt to get one more sip of water. Smart!

3. "I just tooted next to you."
Never fails! Just as the masses have settled down & I'm about to leave the room, some one gets gassy. Giggles then erupt from everyone who hears.

2. "I had a good day today, mommy!"
I love laying next to them as they calm down, listening to their favorite parts of the day.

1. "I love you, mommy!"
This is the best one of all! :)

Top Ten... You know you're a mommy when

Top Ten Ways
You Know You're a Mommy...

10. You go to get change out of your wallet and find 2 goldfish & 1 animal cracker- & that won't buy a coffee!

9. You get to the end of the day, thinking you've done everything on your to-do list, then realize you should have added "brush my teeth" to the list...

8. You leave the house proud that you are on time & don't look like a mommy when... don't look down there's snot on your shoulder!

7. Conversations about poop don't even make you blink- that's normal, right?!

6. Forgetting your coupons could bring tears in middle of the checkout lane

5. You look for your decorative throw everywhere only to find it has been baking in the pretend oven all night long.

4. The phrase "git er dun" is used in reference to taking vitamins or medicines, and cleaning rooms.

3. You lick your finger and clean your child's face... despite your mocking it a few years prior(something about a cat, I think)

2. You can hardly carry on an adult conversation- everything is about your children or would require a construction paper craft for you to prove your point.

1. You hear a baby cry in the store and feel a strange feeling that you must feed it, or nurse it if necessary

Top Ten... I don't want to do school!!!

Top Ten Reasons my 7year old doesn't want to do school
{Don't tell him, but he doesn't have an option}

10. "I don't waaaaaaaant tooooo!"
(if you hold it out really long the want alone becomes its own excuse)

9. "My work is harder than the little kids work." Well, yes. That's kinda how it works. Sorry!

8. "I am hungry"

7. "I am tired"

6. "My knee hurts" He uses this one a lot. Lol. It cracks me up!

5. "I don't know how to do this!" We of course have done it several times, AND I'm willing to help more, if it will become a question rather than a whine.

4. "I'm thirsty!"

3. "It's not fun!" I don't recall math ever being fun. But we sure do try!

2. "I dropped my pencil!" really? Haha! What does he think my answer to that will be? 'Oh, you dropped it? Let's cancel school then.' Yeah right.

1. "I have to go to the bathroom!" Always. Never fails. Halfway through math worksheets he gets the urge. :)

So, homeschool moms... spill the beans...
How do you get your kids excited to do school each day? Or just do it without constant whining... I'd take that.