We are NOT both three!

In the car on the way home from daycare one day this week, the kids thought about being the same age for the first time. Of course they don't really comprehend the situation and it was quite funny seeing their reactions. Mason was his laid back self, and pretty confused. Maiya just got angry, because she knew she was right. She knew, "We're NOT BOTH THREE!!" We've been talking about it more, and she's OK with it now.

We've also been talking about the kids when they were babies. Maiya wants to know about when she was in my belly, so I've talked to them also about Mason being in Miranda's belly. And how Miranda wanted Mason to be in our family so she gave him to us. They are content with that explanation. Please pray for their tender hearts as the questions continue to deepen.

Mason and Maiya are both getting very good at recognizing many letters and numbers. They know 'M' is for Mason, Maiya, Mom and Dad (Matt); and similar words/names for several other letters. Mason is doing better at this then Maiya, thanks to preschool, we think! Preschool has been very good for him. He feels special having something different than Maiya, and getting to ride the bus like a big boy. His teacher says he is very excited to take part in every activity and that he really enjoys the other kids. Now Maiya tells us she wants to be in preschool. Except she can't be in the same one as Mason, we have to find a different one for her to go to!

The kids' favorite movies right now are Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Mary Poppins. Their favorite books are Green Eggs and Ham, What is Easter, Peter Cottontail, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Mason continues to amaze me with his sense of direction. He has learned Manhattan very well. He knows a lot of the intersections, especially where we need to turn to go to dad's feedyard. Even when we're in southwest Kansas, he remembers our house, how to get to papa's farm, Uncle Judd's house, and Luke Jaeger's farm!

We were blessed to spend some time with our friends the Driggers a few weeks ago. The kids enjoyed their time with Ruby very much and still talk about her, especially whenever we see an airplane. Mason, Maiya and I were very privileged to take Hannah and Ruby to the airport. Maiya's been telling me lately she's going to go to West Virginia to play with her friend Ruby. And Mason wants badly to ride a big plane like his friend Ruby did.

Maiya has an amazing memory. I wonder how long it will last!! I'm sure I don't remember things from when I was two or three years old. She holds on to lots of memories already. She also continues to try to be Mason's second mother. Sometimes she even tells me that she IS his boss. She is a very good enunciator and she tries to pass this on to her brother. She will catch him mispronouncing a word and she will say it slowly and loudly and make him repeat it until he gets it correctly. Most of the time he listens to her!! That's the funniest part! She will get his coat and shoes for him, and keep track of his toys. We've decided if anymore children come into our family, it will be much easier for us! Maiya will be able to do most of the work the next time!

My two oldest nieces stayed with us over spring break. Maiya was admiring Kirstie's dark skin and rubbing her little pale hand over Kirstie's arm.
She asked Kirstie, "what is this?"
Kirstie said, "it's my skin."
Maiya said, "Why don't I have any?"