Friday, April 26, 2013

Differences

As I am watching the twins color it reminds me how much I love this age.  Minus the temper tantrums.  As we are coloring I hear Kate's excitement about each new color she picks up.  She shouts out loud to me the color of each crayon in a way that makes both of us feel so proud.  Her sweet voice melts my heart.  We clap together for naming the colors correctly.  I say, "Good job, Kate!"  And then she always responds back to me, "Good job, Momma!"  Love that she also tells me good job.  A response she always says back to me.

As I watch Kate also line up each crayon on the floor, I see Matthew contently sitting coloring away.  He had such a look of concentration as he focuses on coloring in the designs on the page.  And at times would have me take his hand to help color together so he can better color in the lines.  He occasionally jabbers something as he's coloring, but most of the time stays quiet and focused.  

Even though Kate and Matt are twins, I'm reminded today during our coloring activity how they still are their own individual.  Both love doing things together, but definitely have their own interests in the activity.  I love this about having twins.  As a parent it's fun to witness your child learning as they develop their area of strengths.  Kate is very verbal and can tell you all about shapes, colors, animals, and will have a conversation with you.  Where as Matthew is more physical.  He seems to be more coordinated, braver in newer situations, and is so observant to his environment.  He's improving everyday on his speech, but his receptive language is amazing.  I can tell his little guy a list of directions and he'll following them with no problems.  

As they have gotten older, I am seeing more of their little personalities develop.  They also have shown such a great love for each other over the past few months.  Both kind of "mother" the other.  Lately if Kate sees Matt crying on the floor, she'll lay down next to him and ask, "Matthew what's the matter?  Are you okay?"  Or if Matt finds Kate's monkey blanket or her sippy cup he's grabbed it and brought it to her.  Our days at home are lately filled with their favorite activity - chasing each other around the house.  The sounds of their laughs and language amongst the two of them is priceless.  I know they would be lost without each other around.  Kevin and I love to see them interact and look forward to the years ahead as they will play more and more together.  Forever best friends! 




He looks so cute in his color position


"Cheese, Momma!"



his little feet

figuring out he can stick crayons between his toes






Tuesday, April 23, 2013

"Old McDonald Had a Farm"....

These two awesome singers love, "Old McDonald Had a Farm!"   Plus they have great dance moves!

We rocked out all morning singing and playing to their songs.  Love these moments at home with them!

(don't pay attention to my high pitched horrible singing...hard to sing along well to kids' music) :)

Playtime!  They got a tool workbench from Grandma and Grandpa Willms for Christmas.  We just got it put together when my dad was here visiting over the weekend.  Both Kate and Matthew love it!  They love to play bouncing back and forth to their workbench and kitchen set.

The workbench is very cool!

Kate loves the "blue" as she calls it or as known as the screwdriver (that happens to have a blue handle)




Playing so good together!


Monday, April 22, 2013

Grandpa Dufel Visits

My dad came up the middle of last week to visit the twins and I while Kevin was gone on a business trip.  It was nice to have his extra help with the kiddos and to do a few "fix-it" tasks around the house.  

While my dad was here he went along to the twins' ECFE class on Friday.  I took a few pics of him helping Kate and Matt with their art projects.






The twins loved having Grandpa come to class with them.  Kate didn't want to leave his side the whole time. A nice change for me so I could play with Matthew easier.  And while at circle time, both kids wanted to sit with Grandpa.  It was definitely weird not having a kid or kids sitting on my lap all of the time.  It was cute to watch their love for their grandpa.

After class, the 4 of us headed to Iowa for the weekend.  I wanted to go back to celebrate my nephew's birthday on Saturday.  On our way home we stopped for some lunch, and of course, had K and M's two favorites - nuggets and fries!






Saturday back in Iowa we celebrated cousin Evan's 8th birthday.  We ate at Buffalo Wild Wings, yummy!!  The twins love their chips and salsa and sat great and ate while we were there.  I took a few pictures on my phone with cousin Allie and Grandpa.

Silly cheesers!




Tickling Katers

Grandpa Wing Nut!


Sunday Kevin's parents took the kids and I back.  We met Kevin half way, did the car seat and luggage swap, had lunch, and then the four of us headed towards MN.

The twins were awesome car riders!


Playing with Mommy's sunglasses


Another fun trip back!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Week in cell phone pics

Last weekend my friend Natalie, who lives in Idaho, came to visit.  Despite sick kids and adults, we all had a great time and enjoyed some time shopping and relaxing at home watching movies.  It was fun to have a long weekend to spend time with Natalie and have her hang out with Kate and Matt.  I wish we lived closer so our families could spend lots of time together.  We've already decided that our sets of twins are going to marry each other down the road. :)

Saturday Natalie wanted to go to the Mall of America to specifically shop at the Disney Store for her boy and girl twins.  Because Kate had been running a fever since Thursday, I decided to take Matthew with us shopping to make it easier for Kevin to watch just Kate.

Matt having fun with the magical mirror at the Disney Store.  You wave the wand to make it work...sorry Kevin. ;)





Sunday Matthew ended up catching the virus bug from Kate and by Monday both Kevin and I were coming down with it as well.  So fun sharing!  Since we were all sick we spent most of the week at home.  Even Kevin worked from home a few days. 

During the week the twins had fun playing with their new name puzzles they got for their birthday.





love seeing them working on the puzzles together

Some morning snuggle time taking funny faces pictures


Matthew's self picture

Morning fruit smoothies 


Enjoyed me chasing them around the house.  Picture of Kate looking back at me saying, "Get me!", right before I chased her.


A little blurry but loved her cute smile.

Thursday night I had a girls' night out with my friend Rachel.  We went to a Wine and Canvas class in Stillwater.  Here is the beautiful pictures we painted of 'A Starry Night in Downtown St. Paul".




Friday's Incredible Years Class:
Matthew's art project


I love his look of concentration the whole time




Beautiful work, Buddy!

playing together




Saturday playing in the hamper with Daddy





On to starting a new week.  Hoping this week starts with kids becoming completely sick free!