Some days I have tears in my eyes from laughing so much, and others because they won't stop fighting. The ups and downs of having 2 three-year-olds has definitely moved into high speed! The girls always love each other, but I will be honest, the two most common phrases that I say these days are "be nice" and "stop fighting". People often asked me about having twins, and if it is harder. For the first two years, I always answered that is isn't twice as hard, just twice as long. This is the first time since they were born that I sometimes think it is twice as hard. I am reassured by my sisters and friends that 4 is much different that 3 and this too shall pass, boy am I counting the days sometimes!
When they aren't fighting, they make me laugh a lot too. Lexi, has me cracking up with her "I sure do love those kids" statements when she is talking about my Mom and Dad. Another one that both the girls say is "this is delicious Mommy" at dinner. Unexpected from 3 year olds, and I guess that is what makes it funny to me. Their conversations with each other, are sweet and caring, or just demanding! Depends on the day. Isabel is very much into being "the leader" and is barking orders all the time; unfortunately Alexa has perfected the art of ignoring anyone who is directing her (parents included), so this turns our commanding Izzy into a sobbing mess! Oh the highs and the lows. When Lexi plays along it is adorable. Isabel is still working on playing along when she isn't the leader, we are all a work in progress. I have to say that my most favorite thing right now though, is when they sing. Our girls LOVE to sing. We have a CD set of 123 kids songs that we listen to in the car ALL the time, and a few of the songs in particular are so fun to hear them sing. At night though, they put on impromptu performances after lights out. They are supposed to be sleeping, or trying to fall asleep but instead Doug and I will suddenly hear "The Farmer in the Dell" being SCREAMED through the monitor. The louder the better, and when it is all over they laugh and laugh, until one of them declares the next song to be shouted, um, I mean sung. Even after a difficult day, filled with fighting and time outs, this could make even the most exhausted parent laugh.
It is hard to believe they are 3 1/2. I signed them up for preschool today; they are scheduled to start 2 days a week in May. I know it will be good for them, and they will love the other children and a structured environment, but I am still finding it hard to let go. I know that one day soon, they will be going to school 5 days a week, until 330 in the afternoon; I just want to spend as much time with them as I can before that happens. Just wish I could slow things down a bit!
This spring we are taking on projects that are centered around our girls. First we are moving the girls from their toddler beds to a big girl bed. We decided to go with one bed because they truly do love to sleep next to each other. The bedding has large multicolored flowers and two walls are going to be turquoisey blue and two walls are going to be daffodil yellow, with the dresser and shelving in pinks and greens. It is a colorful, fun, room design fit for two very energetic and dynamic girls. Hoping to post pictures in a few weeks when its all done. Our second project is at the request of Isabel. She told me she wanted to make a garden. So we are going to start small in the front of the house with some bushes and shrubs and maybe a few annuals, and if we are really motivated maybe even a few flowers of the girls choosing. I think she is mostly looking forward to playing in the dirt, but who cares, help is help!! Hopefully I will get a few shots of this project and hope to post them along the way! Wish us luck because gardening is not my thing!! :)
