I know that I’ve covered this very important topic before in my “Thoughts.” Everyone who knows me knows whom I’m talking about when I say, “my boys.”

        That’s because I talk about them and brag about them all the time. Fortunately for me, my husband and our daughter are totally fine with my conversations that include something about “my boys.”

        “My boys” are my two nephews. Luke is almost four years old and Ryan will be two this month.

        You see, while the rest of our family is worrying about teen issues—driving, high school, classes, going to college (have I bragged lately about our teen resource website, treasurevalleyteen.com?)—having these two little boys allows us to drift back in time and relive those early years.  And since our February issue focuses on early learning, it provides me the perfect opportunity to, well, brag again.

        Just as you know with your own children, these two little boys grow and change so quickly, magnified by the fact that I don’t get to see them very often because they live in Florida.

        I loved it last September when Luke called on my birthday and sang “Happy Birthday” to me all by himself.  And then later that fall he called to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to me: “…with liberty and justice for all. You may all sit down now.”

        Just a wild guess, but I believe the part about “sitting down” is something he and his little group of friends hear from his caregiver; part of their morning routine at his childcare center. Another example of their morning routine might be when he repeated instructions to his 6’4” father, who was sitting on the ground with him: “No daddy, sit criss-cross applesauce.”

        Yes, I brag, and yes, I think they’re smart, adorable, and special. But then again, I believe every child this age is special. In this issue we’ve focused on many ways young children can learn and grow, whether it’s through music, being outside, preschool ideas and options, crafts to do at home, activities and events, or learning how to give and think of others through our monthly Family Donation column. For us, it’s a special issue for a special little age group.

        As for my boys, they better get ready. Auntie will be visiting them later this month and I’m bringing a year’s worth of ideas and activities with me.  We’ll be so tired that we may all need to all sit down!