My 3-year-old Jason Jr. can find the state of Texas – his homestate – on any map of the United States.

When at the Olive Garden restaurant, he’ll say to the waitress: “Four waters, please.”

What can I say, he’s a brilliant kid.

I will never forget the time he asked me to make cabbage for dinner.

“I don’t know how to make cabbage, JJ” I said. “Mommy has to learn.”

“I know how to make cabbage, Mama,” the then 2-year-old replied. “All you do is put it in a pan and flip it.”

I could go on-and-on about JJ’s beautiful mind for days, but those of you who follow my blogs know I have another son, Joah, who is 22 months old.

Somewhere in between his conception and his birth, the masses – including my husband – convinced me that I couldn’t create two brilliant, well-behaved children.

“Watch that second child,” I was warned by a close friend. “The second one is the one that you have to keep your eye on.”

“All I’m shooting for is one-out-of-two,” my husband joked. “Only one of them will probably be smart.”

I started believing that. And then, a few days ago, Joah showcased a touch of brilliance.

“What sound does a dog make, Joah?” my husband asked.

Joah barked.

My husband must have asked him about the sounds of more than 10 animals. Joah knew them all, including the sound a fish makes, which I couldn’t even do. Joah also knows how to count to 10. Now, I’m not going to pretend that his speech is that of a 3-year-old, but I can make out most of the numbers. He loves to sing songs and can even recite our family’s nightly prayer.

Since the day Joah imitated a dog and a host of other animals, I learned a few things. First, I shouldn’t listen to other people. These are probably the same people who told me that if I stepped on a crack, I’d break my mother’s back.

Second, I can’t spend my days comparing my children. I believe both Jason Jr. and Joah will be smart, well-mannered children. But they will also be individuals. I should know this from my own upbringing. My oldest brother majored in business marketing. I majored in speech communication and my younger brother is majoring in human resources.

Finally, let kids be kids. Jason Jr. and Joah are still in day care. They’re just beginning to learn this world, as I am just beginning to learn theirs.

Tunette Powell is married with two children. You can read her every Tuesday on momaha.com

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