You're My Favorite

As parents we aren't supposed to have favorites. We tease my mom all the time telling her we know which daughter is her favorite. It's not politically correct to say we like one kid more than the other. Well, I'm not always politically correct and I'm here to tell you that if you sit there and say that you've never felt a little more "warmly" toward one of your kids at any given time, I will tell you that you are being less than honest with yourself. You can't help but feel fondly toward the kid that is the easiest or most loving. There are times when one child will yell, "You like him better than me!" I'll answer that honestly and say, "Right now, he's being nicer to me than you." Today I am going to set the record straight:

Nico, you are my favorite because you think I am the smartest person in the world. Sometimes you say I have no clue but then in the next breath you are asking my advice or I hear you say to your friends, "Ask my mom, she'll know." You have the most common sense out of all the kids and just "get it". You strive to be the best and I love that I don't have to nag you to get good grades. You are like your dad with his mannerisms and his ability to make people laugh without knowing he's funny but you are like me with your openness and affection. You are my favorite because you are nice to everyone and make everyone you talk to feel like the most important person in the world.

Tommy, you are my favorite because you are the cuddliest, most lovable kid I could ask for. You come up to me out of nowhere and tell me how much you love me or how pretty I am (even when I am in over-sized pajamas and a goomba in my hair). You can charm the coldest, meanest people out there with just your smile or your laugh. I think your favorite thing in the world is to be in the spotlight. You are one of the funniest kids I know without trying at all to be funny. You are a self-driven work horse that never backs down from a challenge. It is a rare day that you are in a bad mood. You are my favorite because most of the time, you are my easiest.

Isabella, you are my favorite because you have my back. You are loyal and helpful and when you feel something, you feel it with your whole heart (good and bad). You always want to do the right thing and right now, I don't worry about you making bad choices. You are my favorite because you are the only one that I think takes what I say to heart. You really listen and try to be a better person. You want to take on the world in some way but haven't figured out which yet. I knew you would be a great sister but seeing you with Gia makes me think that your real talent lies in working with kids.You are so good and I cherish the fact that you are my daughter.

Gia, you are my favorite because you haven't learned to not like me yet. You let me smother you with kisses and hugs and you just giggle. You see wonder in everything and are excited about everything from Minnie's Bow Toons to your big girl bed. You have the ability to make me forget how crappy a day is going and make me feel like I am the best mommy in the world. Of all the kids, you are the only toddler that will sit on my lap and listen to more than one story. You know all the words to "You are My Sunshine" and "Let it Be." You are my favorite because you are like a little ray of sunshine living in this house.

This always helps me appreciate the kids and focus on what they do that makes me smile instead of focusing on what they do that makes me crazy. I just read it to the boys and they got a kick out of the whole thing. They couldn't understand why I didn't include Leo. I don't know if it is funny or sad to have to explain that he's not one of the kids.

So fess up, what makes a kid your favorite?