My kids are almost 3 and almost 5, and they are both great ages in very different ways!

My favorite thing about 3 years olds is how fast the kids grow and develop at that age... it's astonishing to see how much they're learning and growing every day! The biggest surprise to me so far has been that at that age, their parents and their family are their whole world. Their love and attachment to family is so strong at that age... I didn't realize how much I would love that feeling of being a tightly bonded family! I felt it as a child, but it's just different being on the other side.

Our son is about to turn 5, and it's a very different age from 3 so far. He still loves his family so much, but now we're just one planet in his solar system. He has friends now and they are really important to him. And he has school and after-school programs, and a growing list of activities that he's learned he enjoys. He's become so independent, and I'm proud of how kind and thoughtful he can be at times. He's really growing up!

As for my favorite part of parenting a 5 year old, it has to be how he can tell me what's on his mind and we can connect mind-to-mind in a way we just couldn't earlier. We take walks in the evening when we can and just talk about what troubling him and what he's up to. I love it, and feel so close to him!

What's your favorite thing about your LO's age right now?