Four is the best.

Ok, so I know I don't have a lot of experience as a mother (yeah, I do have 4 kids, but I've only been doing this mommyhood gig for about 6 years), however I must say that I have determined my favorite age.

It's FOUR years old.

It's the bomb-diggity and I'll tell you why.

When my kids (only two so far) have turned four, it's been like they become this brand new person. While they still have all the same physical cuteness of toddlers, they mentally and emotionally develop as little human beings. They are fun to bring places; everything is exciting and new and fascinating. They are potty trained and are (usually) less-picky eaters; so no diaper bags, sippy cups, or trips to McDonald's only (hurray! we can stop somewhere and get a real sandwich now). They can sit through a movie in the theater, attempt to ice skate and roller skate, have fun at arcades, behave at restaurants, and make great conversation.

When they start to act up, they can easily be reasoned with ("If you eat your veggies, you can have dessert...") and understand consequences so much better. They are compassionate and have the ability to think about others before themselves, they love to show-off their big kid skills to their little siblings ("Here, I'll help you open that snack"), and absolutely adore being treated older than the 'babies'.

Andrew is four right now, and he is just so sweet and fun to be around. He gets super excited about everything (like yesterday when I let him take a nap in my bed), says thank you and sorry every single time it's appropriate, and is the first to remember to say grace before eating.

When Andrew was sick over the break, he would actually throw up in a bowl (couldn't make it to the bathroom fast enough), and then get out of bed, take the bowl to the bathroom, dump the contents into the toilet, rinse it out, wash his hands and then come back to bed...all while feeling like crap. What a sweetheart!

Oh, I just adore four!! Five on the other hand is a different story...