Two down, one to go

S and H started school today. S was predictably nervous, and H was predictably nonchalant. Both had great days, by all reports. Because T doesn't start kindergarten until next week (they do assessments with the teacher this week), he's back to being super bored at home without his siblings. Also, I thought it was sweet that the twins cried when S and H got out of the car this morning. And I missed the kids, too (not the noise or the whining or the cries of "I'm bored!", but yeah, I missed the kids.)

Reunion

This may have been the only time that so many of the kids were sitting quietly. The magic of Toy Story will do that.

We're just finishing up a week of playing with my side of the family. It included two picture-taking events, trips to the petting zoo, two pools, a splash park, and two museums, a few non-dangerous allergic reactions, one sinus infection, beautiful views of the mountains, too many hot dogs and hamburgers to count, and lots and lots of fun memories.

They say it's your birthday...

(Ok, now I'm just going to have that song in my head for the rest of the day.)

Happy birthday, babe. Just yesterday, as we were driving through the mountains, and you were telling the kids all about aspen trees, bike paths, and back country skiing, I thought, "these kids are lucky to have a dad who can share his love of the outdoors with them."

Thanks for all you do for us. We love you!

Calm vs. never sits still

In my next segment of the differences in the twins' personalities, we have calm demeanor versus never sits still.

A2
Although he loves to run and play as much as the next toddler, A2 is also a little man who likes to study things and look through picture books. He will sit on my lap and quietly play games on my phone for quite a while. He will usually let me kiss his cheek and play with his hair. The only times when his calm demeanor breaks down are during meals. A2 is rather focused on food. He wants certain things at certain times and in a certain way. And if we get it wrong, well, he lets us know. But then we fix it, and he's a happy man again.


N
I often find myself trying to make N let me love her. She'll usually tolerate one kiss, but then she's off again in another pursuit of adventure. The only way she'll watch a show for more than two seconds is she's strapped into her highchair. Otherwise, this is the scenario: Sit down on the couch. Get up and go get a blanket. Sit down again with blanket on. Get up and run around, possibly dancing to music. Sit down again, only to get up and run out of the room. She seriously never sits still.

Under and over

I'm sure this happens to most mothers of twins, but I am constantly fascinated by the differences in my twins. Although, they play together well some of the time (except for when A2 decides to whack his sister), they really could not be more different.

We'll begin with something I like to call "under and over" —cautious, that is.

Under
N has no fear—absolutely none. She would run right into traffic if I let her. I know most little kids don't get that the world can be a dangerous place, but N really takes that to levels I've never seen before. She climbs everywhere and runs straight for places I'd rather she didn't. This is most evident at the pool. N believes she can swim. I have to hold onto her constantly, or else she will head right for the pool. She loves to jump to people, but she would gladly jump in herself if I don't hold tight to her. The last time, she kept trying to actually dive into the pool.



Over
On the other end of the spectrum, we have A2. Although just as curious as his sister, he is infinitely more cautious. Where she runs headlong into danger, A2 prefers to wait, watch, and I think, learn. Of course, I also think he takes his penchant for caution a little too far. He will barely put his feet in the pool, and if I carry him into the water, he usually moans and yells the entire time. The last time we were there, while N was jumping into the water with me, A2 was with his dad, circling the stairs by the kiddie section. He'd sit down and put his feet in, and then get up walk around, and come back.