My current project this past week has been going through old digital photos and pairing them down (we don't need 20 pictures of the same sunset or 10 different angles of the cupcakes I made for the boys of their second birthday.) So far I have tackled years 2010-2012; it has been a blast! They are the years when the boys were about 6 months to 2.5 years old...it's been especially fun to compare them to how Joshy looks at the similar age.
Here are some things that have stuck out while looking through these old photos of Seth and Sam:
-They are super joyful kids. Seriously joyful. So much laughter and smiles.
-They are always up to something pretend or creative. This started at a very young age. For example using Easter baskets as dust masks for a construction project or hat strings as football mouth guards.
-They love dressing up.
-They love basketball and football.
-They are always talking.
-They love playing outside.
Another detail that was really impressed upon me while looking through these photos was the amount of love and support they have been given from friends and family. We have some seriously amazing people who have been consistently in Seth and Sam's life and for that I'm so thankful. Both sets of Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, a whole slew of cousins, and some great friends have invested in these two boys' lives. It has shaped who they are and who they will be. I'm so deeply grateful!
Seth, Sam
Anyways, on to the update about Seth and Sam. I've been thinking about what to write in this post for months now. In fact, ever since Ben took each big boy individually to a Blazers game back in December and January. This has been the third year in a row we've been able to do this (I guess it's a tradition now, huh!) and it's so special and important. We really don't split the twins up much. Truthfully, they don't ever want to be apart. But, we do understand that it is important for them to form their own identities. This lack of individuality became very apparent to us when Sam was the first to have his game with Ben. The game happened to be on a "snow day" so Ben went in late to work (around 1:30) and simply brought Sam with him, so I wouldn't have to drive in a few hours later. That meant Seth had a LONG day at home with just Josh and I. Josh went down for a nap, and I figured Seth would be soaking up the one-on-one time with me, but he was just kind of listless. Unable to decide which game to play, which movie to watch...it was like his sounding board (Sam) wasn't there, so he was just so indecisive. The odd thing is that when they are together, Seth is full of opinions, but when he was alone, he couldn't make a single decision. As I said before, it was a LONG afternoon. Seth tends to be much more controlling with Josh and unable to "go with the flow" so those two kind of bickered and struggled to play together. I had to come up with lots of ideas of things for them to do (which I never have to do when the twins are together). Meanwhile, Ben was at work, then dinner, then the game with Sam. He said Sam talked endlessly and was full of opinions about what to do and where to go.
Saying goodbye before parting for the Blazer game (Sam, Seth)
Seth reading with Josh in a fort
A few weeks later, it was time for Seth to have his special Blazer game with Ben. His choices of where to eat and what to do mimicked Sam's, because he had already heard all about what Sam did and wanted to test it out for himself. Sammy, at home with Josh and I, was quick to make decisions and had already planned out the whole evening without my prompting him. He did not choose to do the same things as Seth. He and Josh had a jolly loud time, as Sam doesn't try to make Josh play in a way that he wants. Ben said that he and Seth had a great time, but things were measurably quieter...Sam is sure a chatterbox!
Playing water games (Josh, Sam)
Overall, these little one-on-one times sure did paint a picture of the twins' individual personalities! Seth tends to be a bit more "type A" and likes to control situations and especially his little brother. He is quieter and doesn't feel the need to fill quietness with chatter. He is currently quicker at math then Sam, but much sloppier and less precise in handwriting. He doesn't finish books well. He loves Rosey and petting and cuddling with her. He's very competitive (always keeping score), loves basketball, and loves to dunk. He jumps well and runs fast. He's got great shooting form and picked that up quickly. His sniffing tick has settled down, now he just has his hands constantly by his mouth and nose. He has some of the same struggles falling asleep as I did as a child and we have to cover the clock so he doesn't stress when he hasn't fallen asleep quickly.
This is the kinex ferris wheel Seth made...it turns and everything
Seth lost his top two front teeth within a week of each other...it makes it hard to talk!
Sam is a talker! He's endlessly full of questions and opinions. He likes to be silly and dorky. He includes Josh a bit better by playing down to his toddler level. He is a ferocious reader who devours chapter books with delight. His handwriting has gotten quite good lately and takes pride in forming good letters. He also loves sports: basketball and football especially. He doesn't dunk or shoot quite as good as Seth, but he's much tougher about injuries.
I can't write an update about the twins without telling about the "Sneaky Club." I really cringe each time they say the name of their super special secret club (real subtle name, right?) but have purposed to not be critical of the name to them, because it is truly their innocence that allows them to call it the "Sneaky Club," and not understand the negative connotation of the work "sneaky." Anyways, the club started with their Plato cousins, then spread to the boys' down the street, and now Seth and Sam have told all their friends about the Sneaky Club. I'm not real sure what the Sneaky Club exactly does: I hear a lot about weapons, forts, boats and wars. Truly fighting for good I suppose.
And I can't write about the Sneaky Club without talking about the quarter tree. A couple months ago we met a neighbor five houses down the street who has a dog that Rosey likes to play with. We try to go on a daily walk with Rosey, and I started to notice that neighbor Chris was watching for us to walk by, and then would come out with his dog. Chris and I started to visit, then I met his wife Jackie, the boys started to get comfortable and talk with them, and then they started to notice these amazing trees on the property. Trees call all little boys to climb, so Seth and Sam started climbing. Now these walks have became our daily afternoon routine. Chris and Jackie don't have any grandchildren and are just thrilled with having the boys in their life. It is very special. They walk me around their property showing me plants (they have an amazing garden) and ask the boys about their day. Another dog from next door, Bailey, comes over as well and Josh throws her sticks. So somehow Chris got this idea of hiding quarters in the tree for the boys to discover. And talk about innocence: the twins seriously think that there's a fairy that puts them there. It is all very sweet and exciting and memorable. It's been such an amazing thing what a little daily trip to some neighbors can do for relationship. I truly feel called to love up on these neighbors and am so thankful to stay at home and have time to do it!
Seth, Sam
Seth, Sam
Monopoly is a new favorite game
Let's see, beyond the sneaky club and climbing trees at Chris', the boys still love to play pretend all day long. They still call each other "Hanger and George" and dress up in crazy clothes and go on big adventures. They love to race bikes, shoot baskets and play in mud outside. Their favorite food is pizza and sweet and sour chickens. Their favorite movie is Robin Hood. They love to play pretend money and have "accounts" set up for many different make believe families; I finally had to set up a bank (chart on the wall) for all the different people because I kept finding random piles of money around the house. They love talking about farming and gardening and have been making their own garden plan for this year, complete with buying seeds for their own garden plot. They love watching and playing sports with their daddy. They are almost 48 inches tall (tall enough for the big rides at Disneyland!) and weight about 52 pounds.
Overall, they are a pair of delightful six year olds. I love being their mom and am so blessed to still have them at home with me each day. They love Jesus and have kind hearts. They are quick learners and endlessly creative. They are growing up way too fast. They recently told me about a girl that they noticed at Great Wolf Lodge because she "looked so happy and smiled lots" and I couldn't believe that they are old enough for that! I'm thankful for the joy and laughter they bring into the house!
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