Happy New year! Here’s hoping this one is an improvement to the last.

School is going well and the girls are doing great. It’s still hybrid with them going 2 times a week but it’s made a big difference in them. I think I told you that they had some difficulties when they were infants and had to have therapy to learn how to walk and then talk. At the time we were told that they may have some sort of processing issue and that school may be difficult for them. Not an intelligence issue (they are definitely smart) but they might learn differently. I’ve always been worried about it and for now, it seems as if that won’t be the case. They are both at the top end of their class and have no issues. They can both definitely navigate technology better than I can. On the days they do virtual school they log in and out of meetings and manage their schedules almost all on their own. I find that pretty amazing considering I learned how to tie my shoes and memorize my address in kindergarten. Socially, the 2 days in separate classes and being with other children has also made a big impact. They are better about talking with other children and learning how to make friends. We’re still working on their shyness and self confidence but I can see progress. One of the surprising things that school has brought to their attention is boys! They talk about the boys in their class constantly and even have pretend boy “friends”. They have this one imaginary boy that is the top. His name started out as plain old Benjamin but has morphed into something fancier, Bahnjemen, said with something like a French accent. It’s pretty funny actually.

Emi. Taya.

Aside from school we’ve been trying to find new things to do and one of the biggest winners is going to the local bmx track. Initially we took our son, but the track is at a big park and the girls could play around. Next thing we know, they want to try it and before long they started begging us to take them there. Our son joined the team and races. The girls aren’t ready for that but I won’t be surprised if they ask to do it one day. Particularly Emi. The thing is it’s not easy and a little scary. Wipeouts happen. They still have big problems with impulse control and throw a fit whenever they become even a little bit frustrated. They scream and stomp and throw things. We’re trying to teach them how to overcome that and bmx has helped. They know that if they throw a tantrum they are done. Now they pick themselves up and carry on unless they are really hurt. At first the rode it on their princess bikes but they’ve since graduated to real bmx bikes and they go fast. They say it “makes their belly go wee” like when they ride a rollercoaster. They also have started gymnastics again and they enjoy it but I don’t see the olympics in the future. Coordination is not one of their strong suits right now.

Emi, Taya. Taya. Emi

I think what got them more aware of boys is that we’ve been watching some of the Disney classics and they really loved Cinderella. They’ve always been very girly girls and loved princesses and the like but now Prince Charming is on the radar. Taya told me that when she grows up she wants to fall in love and have hearts in her eyes.😂. I know it’s all innocent and silly, but I was really surprised by it. I want them to grow up to know their own worth and that it comes from within not from boys. That goes back to that confidence thing. I can’t drop the ball on that. And of course they both wanted to be princesses for Halloween. Thankfully they were more interested in candy than finding Prince Charming.

Taya. Emi. Taya. Emi

Christmas was fun. We came back to Iowa and that’s always a good time. The girls got the usual Barbie explosion. The big winners for gifts were wireless karaoke microphones, (like they’re not already loud enough) and walk-talkies. They also got electric mopeds and have now become a motorized gang. I try to make sure their birthday gifts are just as big as they would be if they had June birthdays, so this year they got lighted makeup mirrors, makeup kits, fancy pageant dresses and real high heels. A couple of months ago I went out for dinner and changed out my usual stud earrings for hoops. Emi cried because she thought they were so awesome, so I also got them hoop earrings. They were so impressed with themselves. My sister is a hair stylist so we let them get all fancied up and then she straightened their hair at the salon. As she was doing one, I took the other to Walmart to pick out nail polish and then they got their nails done. They were so excited to be prancing through Walmart in pageant dresses and high heels! And of course they got plenty of attention so by the time we were ready to checkout Taya was waving to people like she was the Queen of England. Of course that was also the day that it snowed 8 inches and as soon as a flake hit their hair the curls started coming back. I love the curls so much more than straight but they think straight is fancy. After that they gave us all makeovers and Tim looked so much prettier! 😁

Taya Emi

After the snow we went sledding quite a few times. One day we went to Snowstar ski resort and did the tubing there, which was a lot of fun. We also went regular sledding in town everyday after that. They were big fans because sledding also makes their belly go wee. Next year we might try to teach them snowboarding, as they saw people doing it and expressed interest, but they need to get better at dealing with frustration before we tackle that one.

I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy. I got the comment that you left on their birthday. I’m still so thankful and grateful that you chose us. I always think of you on their birthday and recognize the gift that you gave us.

Take care.