Life as We Know It...Part II

Logan...Next Oldest Sister (by 2 minutes)

Logan, Logan, Logan...where do I begin with Logan? *sigh* Logan has been a dichotomy of emotions, behaviors, and words. True to form for a 5 year old little Miss, but Logan shined with new and sometimes amazing colors with the transformation of this family, but also glowed red with fire!

When we arrived home, Logan seemed to have most maternal-like instinct toward Ella and Isaac. She wanted to feed and nurture Isaac (helped to change one stinky diaper with that foul bum, and that was the end of that!), play non-stop with Ella and simply be Mommy's little helper. What a joy Logan was to have!

Day 3...

No, I'm kidding! It wasn't exactly day 3, but it didn't take Logan too long to understand that these kids were invading her territory and her 'Mom and Dad-time' was being taken. Thus, this resulted in a bit of p!$$ and vinegar to run her veins! I'm talking about, "No, I didn't poke Ella in the eye then shake her by the shoulders then call her sassy, Mom."

Mom: "Logan, is that the truth?"

Logan: "NO!"

or

Mom: "Logan, could you unlock the baby gate to let Ella up the stairs please."

Logan's action: Go to the gate and sneer at Ella.

Mom and Logan have had some evenings together, some FRANK discussions, and some discussions about how God truly wants us to act as his people. We have had some sleep overs in her bed, some sleep overs in my bed (on top of me! OYE) and just some plain cuddling time! We have even implemented a positive behavior intervention tool (teacher talk for bribe)! I tried to talk with Logan that our house and the way it 'is', is just different now. It's busier, it's louder, it's just different. Well, one day she told me, out of the blue, "Mama, I don't want my house to be different." That's all it took for me that day. *Tears, tears, tears* I lost it! And she knew what made me lose it! So a few days later, in a moment of, what shall we say, !stress!, Logan pulls out the 'ole, "I just don't want our house to be different." *NO tears*

Ella and Isaac have now been home for 5 weeks and all of this "Hands are for helping", "Use words first", "Telling the truth is God's way" is slow to sink in. I'm talking G-L-A-C-I-A-L movement. She knows what is right from wrong, but 'gol-darn-it, that Ella is just too darn frustrating to control it, I guess!?

At school, Logan is doing great! The teacher's have commented how much she has grown up since last year, how her sentences describing things are so much better. Behavior isn't an issue when some little sister isn't around!!! Go figure?!

But this isn't to say that Ella and Logan never get along. They do occasionally have some excellent play sessions. I mean, fire and ice go together during magic shows, don't they? :) They like to play dress up and play babies. Ella will play hide and seek and Logan is the director of that! Both will do family game night without too much problem, as long as Ella "doesn't cheat" according to Logan! Teehee! But when Logan's had enough or when Ella wants what Logan's got...game over...watch out...TKO!

I love my Logan for what she is doing. She is showing me that our bond is strong! I knew it before and I certainly know it now. I cherish her and all of her cute moments of mothering Isaac and directing Ella in the fun little games they play together. I love that she has grown up a bit since we brought the kiddos home. She makes some independent decisions, helps me, talks to me like a little lady. These are all very fun to hear and see for a mom! I'm looking forward to the time that lies ahead...I'd just like to have the swatting and eye poking come to a quick halt!