My Two Sons

A lot of people ask me how my twin boys are different from each other. They are as different as any two siblings are, but because they both tend to run around screaming and like to play with trains, it's harder for people to notice those differences. I never know quite how to explain how they are different without labeling them so I generally try to bow out of the question. They are always changing so quickly that it's impossible for me to say who's the "quiet one" and who's the "outgoing" one. They are both loud and outgoing and they are both reserved and shy. It just depends on the situation.

I had a fun experience, though, that helps me illustrate a little bit about how they are different. One day last week Michael refused to take a nap. After hoping he'd fall asleep for over half an hour, I got him out of his crib and told him he could play with some toys or come help me iron. He decided to come hang out with me while I ironed Josh's dress shirts. For about an hour he played in Josh's shoes and ties, saying "Bye. I going to work" and, blowing me a kiss. he'd walk out the bedroom door and close it behind him. I don't know what he did in the hallway, but a minute or so later he'd come back in and say "Hi, Mommy! I back from work!" Then we'd sing "I'm so glad when Michael comes home" like the children s' song. He'd give me a kiss, change his tie and then go off to "work" again. I got through the shirts and he got through the ties. It was such a peaceful little time together.

Wednesday I had the same situation with Sam. He wouldn't nap so I got him up and let him decide if he wanted to play with toys or help me iron. He decided to help me iron too. The game he thought up was to get inside the cabinet and pretend he was taking a boat ride. I asked him where he was going and he said "to the city." I asked him what he was going to do there. Will you do some shopping? He said, "Yes. I get some hot dogs." This from the kid that won't touch hot dogs these days. (See December post on that!) Then he ran and got his stuffed animals and took them with him on the "boat." Somehow it turned into an airplane and instead of going to the city, he was going to the mountains . . . but still to get hot dogs! He played at this for about an hour and it was, similarly, such a peaceful, pleasant experience to have him quietly playing with me.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

So, that's my attempt at giving you a peak into how these guys are unique. That, and a million other ways!
This is how they usually spend every waking moment - completely united and together whether they like it or not. I am loving watching this lifelong relationship develop!

If You are Going to San Francisco

So I didn't see anyone "with flowers in their hair", but I did see my little "gentle people" in San Francisco on Saturday! It's only about an hour and a half to San Francisco from Sacramento. We popped "Mary Poppins" in the DVD player in the van and went for it Saturday morning. It is so beautiful and it was so warm! We had a great time!
Here's "Mr. Cheeks" at the beach. He has the most kissable cheeks in the world and we take advantage of them often! He didn't like walking in the sand barefooted and cried until we put his shoes back on. The super-clean-gene lives on!


I showed Sam how to draw in the wet sand with a sand dollar and he did it the rest of the time we were there. He was hooked and loved the water!

My new wallpaper. I LOVE this picture!

Precious little guy looking out at the big ocean.


Moe and Monkey came too.

My super-cutie pie.

We ended at the Oakland temple. That was the whole carrot for Michael. He couldn't wait to see it! I don't think he even noticed that there is no Moroni. He just loved being there. There was a visitors' center with a Christus and both Michael and Sam talked about seeing Jesus for the rest of the day. I'm so glad they love him more than the bridge or the ocean.