This boy.

This boy is growing up. Like really fast. Continually I am shocked with some of the things he says. His imagination shows no limits. He is smart. Not like regular smart, but wicked smart. Like one day he is going to be smarter than me and that scares the crap out of me. His never ending ability to turn a situation around to accommodate his desires makes me laugh and smile.

For example, recently Ms. Jayne and I were talking to him about how it would be great to limit the number of stuffed animals that he takes to China so he has room to buy a new one while he is there. "Or, actually," he suggests, "I will not take any and just buy a whole suitcase full while I am there." Um, no. But great idea.

He still loves cuddles. He crawls up on my lap as if he isn't any bigger than Tucker. And yet he is just over a foot shorter than myself. He weighs nearly 40 pounds. He needs size 6 clothes for length, but they fall off him unless they have an adjustable waist. So frequently you will see him running around the yard holding onto his waistband.

Right now he is obsessed with using chopsticks and eats ramen noodles every day with them. He loves vegetables. I am pretty sure one or both of his legs are hollow because most meals are followed by a secondary hunger cry within about 20 minutes. He pretty much is in a state of constant eating and snacking. I just try and make sure 75% of it is nutritious.

I love that he is friendly. Courteous. Anxious to hang out with friends. Says cute things like, "Hey old pal!" when bumping into an acquaintance at the store or city pool. He hugs family members without prompting.
He rides around his bike on two wheels like a maniac. He falls down, and does not always cry.
Hudson gets worried about things. I call him Tucker's Other Mother because he is. Recently when I found a tick on Tucker, he looked pale. When asked what was bothering him, he was really worried about "Lymes diseases". He stresses out about a lot of things.
He can read basic words, but would rather play Angry Birds.
He can run, but would rather ride.
He can color, but would rather use play dough.
He can take a shower, but would rather take a bath.

When I purchased something I already had, he was quick to tell me what "a waste of money that was!" and he was right. He likes to have money. Mostly to buy candy. At the Children's Museum last week he bought $400 RMB worth of candy from the fake market.

He spends most of his days wanting whatever Tucker has and then complaining that he had it first. Yet, he is pretty tolerant that his little brother is always in his stuff. He likes to go out and check the garden everyday even though this year we just planted flowers.

We read several books to him each night. He loves his Bible story book even though we have read the entire thing at least 3 times already. He still wants to talk about the next day before going to bed at night.

Most nights I am extremely anxious for him to go to bed because he makes my ears and head tired. But usually within just a short while I miss his voice and miss him.