Morris Family in Mexico: The Twins Are Growing Up!

I'm amazed at how much Seth and Sam have matured this year. They continue to have steady, sweet demeanors, are best friends, are creative and imaginative, love to learn, talk constantly, and still love to hug and kiss their parents. They are SO patient with Joshua and take time to stop their games to help him and give him attention. Sports are one of their favorite things, and they have daily discussions about their favorite teams and players. They know more of the Seahawks and Blazers players than the average watcher. They are extremely creative and would rather "make" a school book than actually do one.

One way that they have really matured is socially. They have so much more courage in new situations and talking with people they don't know well. I even watched them answer questions to a mommy that they had just met at a birthday party! A good example of this development is how well they did in swim lessons at the beginning of December. You may not remember (but I certainly do!), but swim lessons have been quite disastrous for us in the past. However, this year, they were a HUGE success! I'm so happy and proud to say that both boys are starting to be able to swim! They will swim forward on their tummy for as long as they can hold their breaths, and most importantly, they are just way more comfortable in the water!

Seth, Sam

I have to say, there were two HUGE factors in the success of the swim lessons: the St.Helen's pool is much smaller than the Beaverton one, and I did private lessons with an awesome teacher, Mary Beth. There are definitely benefits of living in a smaller community!

Chasing around Josh for half an hour by a pool was tiring! Finally the last two lessons, I put on my suit and Josh and I joined the twins in the water! Josh didn't really want to be in the water, but enjoyed floating on a board and throwing things in the water.

We're swimming!

The boys are really into singing the national anthem. As we are studying American history for school this year, we have a book with all the words of the anthem, and we've explained the history of the words of the song to them. They're totally into it. So they sing it--LOUD--over and over and over again. Sam is convinced that singing loud is better, and Seth thinks singing high is better, which makes for a very, um, intense rendition. And sometimes, when I'm real lucky, they'll either sing it with motions or Pentatonix style. Oh man, it's hilarious.

Seth lost not one, but TWO teeth this month! Sam doesn't even have a loose one, and has been very patient as Seth has gotten visits from the tooth fairy. The boys were VERY skeptical of fairies being real, but Ben convinced them that if they thought and dreamed real hard of fairies before falling asleep, there might be something special under the pillow. And indeed there was!

A few of my not favorite things about the boys at this age: they've been talking using a baby voice a lot. It drives us crazy. Seth also has a new nervous habit of smelling his hands a lot. Weird. And a recent development of this week: Sam wants to know where I am at all times. So he's had huge crying panic attacks when I go outside to take out the trash. Or we'll hear him sneaking out of his room at bedtime to check that Ben and I are still in the living room. I'm thankful (or maybe just hopeful) that these things are all just phases.

They are a pleasure to teach in school. Seth is much more precise, especially in his handwriting. Sammy's writing is pretty sloppy. They love to read and are really into reading beginner chapter books. Often they'll be reading one together and laughing about it; I love those moments. Math is their favorite subject and they continue to excel at it.

We had a bought of the stomach flu this month, and they definitely act differently sick! Seth cried and cried and cried. Sam was so much tougher. The poor boys had 17 pukes between the two of them during the course of six hours. I had the pleasure of laying between them holding the barf bowl. While it was a harrowing night, I'll always remember us laying there praying that theis would be their last puke and encouraging them to be strong and tough. Sammy would be so sweet, saying, "Mommy, I'm sure that will be my last throw-up, huh," in the weakest little voice, while Seth would just scream and moan.

Recent funny moments: Seth blurting out, "John Quincy Adams doesn't like company," (he's been really into reading about the presidents...nerd alert!). Our favorite Sam story: I had just given Ben a haircut after putting the boys to bed, and Sam got up to go to the bathroom. Ben went to tuck him back in and asked, "What's different about me Sam?" Sam looks Ben over and replies, "You're naked!" "Nope," says Ben, "I got a haircut." "Oh, your head looks small," says Sam.