Twinners Update

Tonight Ryrie requested watching old home videos for our family home evening activity. We watched some of me when I was a young teenager amidst my fun family, and then we watched some of the twins when they were about 2 1/2 and then when they were 4. It became nostalgic to me when Tommy turned to me and said, pointing at the screen, "Am I in your tummy Mommy, or did I crack out?" There I was, 7 months pregnant with Thomas, directing traffic at the twins' 5th birthday party, and we didn't even have a name picked out for him yet--and it was so real, I remember it so vividly!--and now here I am, with him already 3 and George besides! It was a strange step back in time, and it made me a bit more sober and desirous to linger in their bedroom at bedtime. It's really true what so many people tell me all the time, "they grow up way too fast!"

Will and Ry are at a truly delightful age. Everything interests them. It seems like they are our best friends. Ryrie was sad the other day because James and Will were both gone. When his dad isn't around on an evening, he really misses playing hockey with him, chatting with him, wrestling with him, or helping him in the yard. I decided to take the boys birdwatching (something I really love to do but haven't done much of in latter years) this week. When we pulled up to the first "lake" and got out of the van, we were lucky enough to spy two hawks circling right over us. My excitement caught the boys' attention, and from then on they were really into it. Especially William. He was so thrilled. He loved sneaking around the lake to try and catch a glimpse of a killdeer and identify some ducks. He was disappointed but kind of laughed when George cried and scared away some really interesting birds. He told James all about it when we got home and he brought my bird book for show and tell the next day! On the weekend, He, Owen and I got up early and biked to the lake again to try to see something.
Hockey is another delight for the boys right now. Tonight Ryrie asked me who I hoped would win the series. I said Montreal because I thought that's who the boys are going for. (In spite of my interest in sports growing up, I'm afraid I'm turning into one of those clueless moms who say, "I'm going for who you're going for dear!") He said, smiling, "we're going to want to watch more games now mom, because it's getting really...intense!" And they really do feel that intensity! They are into trading hockey cards now with each other and their friends, and they really READ those cards! They know first and last names, stats, and all kinds of interesting facts about players and teams. James always enjoys the look of surprise on my face and says, "see, they really do learn a lot of things from hockey." Even tonight, Ryrie asked where Jesus will come from when He comes again. I said something vague about "the east" and he said, "like from Montreal?"


We walked home from church on Sunday and James and I were smiling at how Owen and Will were walking side by side, swinging their hands. They are good buddies. William is SO patient with Owen, and Owen loves the attention he gets from Will. They make up all sorts of interesting games--hotel, restaurant, digging for dinosaur bones, etc. I love making dinner in the kitchen and seeing a parade of boys go by. On any given day I'll probably see something like this: Tommy in his ninja turtle outfit, Owen in his cowboy boots, hat, and vest, pulling his "dog", Will, with a jump rope around his chest, and Ryrie may be another dog or he might be in his elephant costume or another ninja outfit. Usually swords will be out in full force as well as light sabers.
Ryrie is Mr. Responsible lately, more than ever before. I think he's told me at least 10-15 times since the weekend about his and Will's choir concert tomorrow. They have to bring black shoes, pants, and socks to school. Every night he asks if I will be sure to turn off the cd player because he wants to conserve electricity. Sometimes he comes down to tell me not to worry, he turned it off. It's really cute to listen to him but I guess he might come across as bossy to some of his brothers. :-)
The boys are all very sweet with George. Last night I was holding G at the dinner table and we were all just talking and suddenly George burst out laughing at William. Full on belly laugh. Everyone was delighted and laughed which made Georgie laugh even more. Then he turned his focus to Ryrie and continued the laugh. We feel pretty lucky and extremely blessed to have these twins in our lives. They are wonderful!