When I was 5...

Ever go along, day by day, and suddenly realize your kids have moved to a new developmental level and you didn't notice for a few months!  Each child has really started blossoming in new and different ways.

For LittleBug, I now believe the turning point was when she managed to stop sucking her thumb (with the help of some appliances) a few months ago.  But we didn't notice it then.  In the last week, though, I realized she is just blossoming.  The quiet, prone to crying child now has a new favorite saying:  "Best [fill in the blank] Ever!"  Today, when I asked how her night was with my parents (she chose to go stay over night without her sisters) she said "Best Night Ever!"  After the new Muppet movie, "Best Movie Ever!"  After our day spent in pajamas, playing games, and getting lunch at the In&Out drive-thru, "Best Day Ever!"  Her sunny side is shining through - love it!

For LadyBug, her twin, it is a time of memories and introspection.  A lot of sentences begin with, "When I was 5..." or "I haven't done that since I was 5."  Try as you might to convince her that 5 months ago - heck, even 9 months ago, she was 6, she will hold her ground and insist she was 5.  But the interesting thing is that she is telling us how grown up she feels.  And I can tell.  She is very into brushing her hair and getting ready now (didn't realize this could start so early).  She easily volunteers to do chores, like throwing the ball for the dog or collecting recycling.  Now along with the helpfulness of "growing up" come the fits and stubbornness, of course.  Hoping that is a phase.  Oh, and ever since New Year's Eve, instead of "I haven't done that since I was 5," she now says, "I haven't done this since 2011!"  Did I mention her ever developing sense of humor?"

QueenBee, our 8 1/2 year old, is now showing such responsibility - yeah! She has her own room now which she keeps as neat as a pin.  She decided she was brave enough to get her ears pierced and has cleaned them daily with little reminder.  She empties the dishwasher and cleans up.  Now, lest you think it is all roses, she still doesn't ever seem to get to piano practice and sneaks and reads Harry Potter into all hours of the night.  But still - it reminds me of something my mother told me when the girls were all little.  She said each age with me, it would just get better and better!  (of course I was an angel, right mom?)

Postscript:  As I was writing the above ever-so-glowing post, things disintegrated here  - fighting over using the other's brush, refusing to brush teeth and whining for mommy to pick out her books.  Ah, reality - punctuated by moments of brilliance that keep us sane!