Poor A2 gets wrongly blamed

As stated in my previous post, the twins have become a bit... hard to manage of late. A2 especially likes to find small things to play with that aren't necessarily his. Last Sunday as we were heading out the door for church, my husband announced that he couldn't find his wedding ring. He had left it on top of his office desk (not a great place to leave it, I reminded him) and A2 had spent a few minutes that morning sitting at Daddy's desk and looking through his drawer. Daddy wasn't too pleased about that. We both looked a ton that night—both in his office and up in our bedroom. I even took out a flashlight in case the ring had fallen behind his desk. Nothing.

The next morning, my husband came down to go to work with his ring on. It had been on our dresser, right where he usually leaves it. We had both looked there several times, but had somehow missed it. My husband apologized to A2 for wrongly accusing him.

Last week, I bought a new wallet. As I was transferring stuff from the old to the new, I realized I was missing a $100 bill. Now, I never have that kind of cash, but it was a bonus gift from work. I panicked, looked a thousand more times in my wallet, and couldn't find it. Then I remembered that earlier in the day, A2 was seen playing with a few coins. I concluded that he must have gotten into my purse. I looked and looked and couldn't find the $100.

Today, a room mom from T's class called about the money I had sent in for the class gift for his teacher. She thanked me for being so generous but wanted to make sure that I had meant to give $102 for the gift.

Poor A2—blamed for things he never did.

One step behind

I'm a person who likes to feel in control. I have schedules and plans and I like my children to have schedules and rules. Sure, little kids can get into trouble and mischief, but I've never had problems with crazy toddlers causing destruction at every turn.

That has changed with the the twin masterminds.

Over the past few weeks, I have begun to feel like the twins are running this house—not the parents. They've started to work really well together at being naughty. A2 is taller, so he'll open doors that N can't. And N will get fantastic ideas to go do something, like say, climb up on the bathroom counter and "brush" their teeth, maybe with their toothbrushes and maybe with other people's toothbrushes. And maybe using hot water and splashing it all over the bathroom.

Last week, they learned how to climb over the gate on the basement steps. Yes, it's amazing that it lasted this long, but I was really, really sad about it. When they were in the basement, I knew they were safe and the house was safe. Now, that's gone.

So, I lock all the bedrooms and I've turned on the door alarm so I know if they try to leave the house. And I keep finding new places to hide my huge diaper bag and purse so that they won't find gum and lipstick and any other treasures in there.

On Saturday, while I suffered all day with strange stomach pains that kept me curled up in a ball on my bed, the twins did some exploring. Since all the bedroom doors were locked, they had some fun in their dad's office and also learned how to open the fridge. They took out ham, yogurt, and even cracked some eggs on the brand-new rug in our piano room.

I told my husband that I feel like I'm always one step behind these people.

Don't they look so innocent?

The same?

T: Mom, is your hair and Dad's hair the same?
Me: Umm, no. Does our hair look the same to you?
T: I guess Dad's hair is darker.

Let's hope that's not all he thinks is different about his parents' hair.

N's boyfriend

I know she's a little young to be dating, but N's got a boyfriend—or rather, she's kind of commandeered my sister-in-law's boyfriend. When I told her Cam was coming to Disneyland (or "Dinsey," as she says it) N's eyes lit up with glee. She gives him kisses, hugs him, and loves to be near him. After the first day at Disneyland, I was back in the hotel, getting the kids ready for bed. I said to N, "What did you see at Disneyland today?" N: "I saw Cam." Me: "Oh, what else did you see?" N: "I saw Cam."

Apparently in N's mind, even the magic of Disneyland can't hold a candle to her beloved Cam. And I think the whole thing is precious.

Disneyland

After we got back last week from Disneyland, one of my sisters asked how it went. I replied, "Great moments and then crappy moments. Typical vacation with kids."

We did have a great time, and we even got the chance to go to San Diego Zoo, which was awesome. Everything went really well, right up until we got rear-ended on the way home. But we're ok and the car can be fixed, so all is good.

It's great to be eight!

H,

Eight years ago today, I sat in a hospital bed and watched the snow fall outside as I held my brand-new, two-week early baby boy—all nine pounds of you! You were a sweet, happy, calm baby, and you're a sweet, kind, and thoughtful boy. I love to watch you discover new talents and make new friends. You are kind and patient with your baby brother and sister and I'm so grateful for that. At times I fear for your tender heart because you seem to feel hurt so easily, but I love that you feel things deeply and I hope that doesn't change. I'm so excited for you to get baptized next month!

Happy birthday, H!

Love,

Mom