i saw it twice and still had questions. but as for the kids, no one knows how long he's been gone from the kids. I mean i'm not expert on growth but if it was like say 6 months maybe they wouldn't change that much right?

Also the whole other thing me and my friends were discussing was about the the totem. How you are never supposed to have someone else's but Cobb always used Mals.

The whole thing with the kick's to get you out was strange at the end I agree, but as time slowed down it made sense for it to be easier as you went back up a level.

and with Cobb seeing Saito when he was older. Remember that Saito died earlier so he was in limbo longer hence why Cobb was still young and Saito older.