Kidwalk

For the most part Claudia gets by with the walker that we purchased for her around age two. On the verge of turning seven we are looking into the next walker. It has taken us a long time to decide mostly because the perfect walker does not exist. I feel like we are having to choose between two different frames of thought. One: do we push her with a walker that takes a lot of effort to use but is more realistic to transfer in and out of, or Two: do we chose a walker that she can use more easily because it offers her a lot of support. I have to say that after this two-week trial of the KIDWALK, my mind is made up.

Claudia has been doing treadmill walking for about two years now. We have a set-up where we put her walker on top of a frame so that she can hold onto her walker while the treadmill moves and she walks. At best she is able to walk for 10-minute stretches of time before she fatigues. Today we adjusted the set-up and used the KIDWALK on the frame over the treadmill. She walked for 51 minutes! Enough said.

More twin lessons

Yeah! Eloise lost another tooth.

But I do have to admit that she was driving me a little nuts with this loose tooth. We went through the squeaky phase which sounds a lot like dry snow being crushed with ski boots. We went through the front part being free so she could flick it in and out of place with her tongue. It was hanging by a thread for a week plus. Every other second we were hit with the "Look at my tooth" so I admit I was getting a little tired of seeing it halfway out, sideways, and dangling in her mouth.

So what is a mom of twins to do?

Pose a little competition.. Claudia has a tooth that honestly has months to go but she is a eager tooth puller unlike Eloise my reluctant puller. Given the idea that maybe Claudia would wiggle her tooth out before Eloise, it was within the next five minutes that Eloise lost her tooth. Convinced that if she spun the tooth it would come out, she turned and turned it until it won't go back and out it came.

Twin lesson

Lesson learned: When one twin needs glasses, take the other one too! Eloise failed her school screening and a month later we have two with their first pairs of glasses.

Winter Fun

Love those Rosy Cheeks

Trying Cross-Country Skiing

Julianne with Dad Sledding

Roof Raking

Quarry Hill round 2

(the two classes together watching a puppet show on bats)

Despite the cold temperature, the first grade class ventured out to Quarry Hill to continue their learning as scientists by making keen nature observations.

This time they measured live specimens and preserved samples.

Stag beetle getting measured and drawn in the lab.

Time to go back home.

Two friends having a good time all the way home on the bus.

Two more friends full of giggles on the bus.

Thankfully, Claudia's teacher put her foot down with the bus driver, who was balking at the idea of including regularly ambulating children on "Claudia's" accessible bus. Claudia had a much more pleasant experience sitting right next to a buddy. Sometimes it is the little changes that make a big difference.

Puppies!

We are completely spoiled with the best Principal ever! Mr. Scripture has gone to bat many occasions for Claudia but he also personally ensures that her days are going smoothly at school. He sees positive attributes in everyone and in almost all situations. He is really a gift to the school.

He also has some very interesting hobbies! The girls have been especially interested in this hobby. Mr. Scripture is raising a litter of wirehaired pointing griffons. The girls were exuberant to have the chance to play and hold these two puppies over the weekend.

Not to be forgotten

From Train Engineer to Rock Climber all in a day.

He knows how to work the phone too.

No Night Night

Being two means that you want to be independent and make your own choices. For Vincent that frequently means that he wants YELLOW.. yellow shoes, yellow coat, yellow spoon, yellow cars, etc.. he loves the color yellow.

For Julianne that means no more naps. She climbs out of her portable crib about twenty times average before we give up. She prefers to hang out by mom or dad and if we're lucky she will crash on the couch.

So even though being two means you get to make some of your own choices nature takes over when you're really tired and just NEED a nap.

New Year

Cheers, to a great 2010. We look forward to new beginnings and new adventures.