We couldn't even imagine how these little beings can bring both the best and the worst out of you, often simultaneously; how you can hallucinate from severe sleep deprivation; how that moment you think you *might* have finally figured out their sleeping/eating needs and patterns is actually a subconscious signal for them to throw the next curve ball; how hard it is to talk and think rationally over three screaming two year olds; and how, when people ask you time and again how you manage, you shrug your shoulders and honestly reply: I have no idea. I do know that it has taken a village to raise these children to this point, and I can't see that changing any time soon. We are very, very fortunate to have the support and help that we have on a daily basis. So thank you all.
On the other hand, Colin, Keith and Evelyn are just so.... two. "No" is "no" even when it's "yes". Everything is theirs. They count cars and puppies and tell me rather ruefully that they have made a "big big mess". They like to play follow the leader and Simon Says. They laugh themselves breathless. They play together and fight together and make it all up with a peace offering: "tankyouvermuch".
A few additional thoughts:
Colin: Favourite word: "EL-AH-LEEEEEEEEN", when Evelyn has done something to raise his rather ready ire. Sometimes all she has to do his look at him, and he will burst forth with righteous indignation.
Favourite activity: Piling items into other items: toy cars in the barn, a fork and spoon in his cup holder, scraps of paper into a box. Singing himself to sleep. Playing by himself while talking to himself. Cuddling. Batting his eyelashes at himself in the mirror. He monitors Keith when the latter is in full exploration mode, preemptively saying "No no Keith". He is very much the older-by-one-minute big brother.
Keith: Favourite word: Truck. Car. Steering wheel. Headlight. This is a child who beeps when walking backwards, and the other day, he proudly showed me how he had bitten his cereal bar into the shape of a "school bus" and then a "digger". Ice cream. Ooooh, lookaDIS!!! Everything he says is spoken very, VERY loudly.
Favourite activity: Anything he isn't supposed to be doing. Our Curious Keith. Happily, he also loves to read his books. He adores being tickled and still plays peekaboo with abandon. If you chase him, he will laugh hysterically. He sings himself awake in the morning, and is (usually) our little ray of sunshine. Very little gets Keith down. He will eat pretty much anything we put in front of him, including "apple criss".
Evelyn: Favourite word: NOOOOOOO. Shoo me ("excuse me"). Hilarious. Delicious. Anything you say - she is a constant echo.
Favourite activity: Playing with her dolly. Building lego towers. Coercing anyone into reading to her. Cuddling - strictly on her own terms. Helping: she gets her brothers each a cracker after lunch and dinner, and cleans up. For now. She's always been feisty, but now she has the vocabulary to take it to the next level. Loves her food, and still flaps her arms when she's enjoying her what's on her tray... the Flap Factor is a quantifiable reaction.
So there you have it - a little snapshot of our trio at two.
We love you so much, and can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead!!
*Photo courtesy of our friend Margaret.
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