Sunday, January 13, 2013

Twins

 Though I've already spotlighted both twins, I had to include photos of them together.  They're growing up too fast, and may not like each other someday, so I have to capture their closeness and cuteness while it lasts.
 They've always gotten along great, and been best of friends, but this year has seen some differences creeping in.  This year has been a love-hate relationship with each other.  Their interests are starting to diversify with their gender, and I hear frequent outbursts of "I hate you" or "you're mean!"  It breaks my heart to hear the twins not get along; aren't twins supposed to be best friends?  They generally are when left alone, but introduce a third person into the equation, and there's often fighting.  Though, they still enjoy being silly and giggling together.  They love baths [though that'll be over this year, I'm sure!], riding bikes, playing in the dirt, sledding, and getting into mischief together.

I hate to see these 2 grow up so quickly, though the mischief wears me out!  I hope they stay close friends as they grow.  We love you, little twinners!

Keaton at 4 {& 1/2}

 Everyone always asks me if Keaton ever talks.  Yes.  Yes, he does.  Mostly squeals, but yes, he does talk.  He'll repeat himself until you say something, too.  That's really fun.  He is the calmest of the bunch, though.  And he has the cutest smile that will melt my heart when I'm angry, as shown above.  Not sure what he's doing with the hand thing.  Keaton is the little brother that gets pushed around by Brighton and Waverly both.  He likes to wrestle and play cars and dig in the dirt with Brighton, but when Brighton's away, he'll agree to play Barbies or dress-ups with Waverly.  Maybe that makes him versatile?   
 Keaton's favorite movie is Cars.
Favorite tv show:  Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Phineas and Ferb
Favorite color:  Blue
Books:  5 Little Monkeys and Thomas the Train
Some favorite things to do:  Fold laundry with me, help clean the bathroom, play outside, ride his bike, shovel, play with Brighton and Waverly
Best friend:  Waverly and Brighton
Food:  Rice, fried rice, scrambled eggs, pizza, cold cereal, and cooked carrots
Favorite thing he owns:  His thumb and his blue blanket.  It had a tag once, but he used to rub it on the end of his nose while he sucked his thumb, and it came off.  Now he bites his blanket, and it has a chunk missing.  That poor blanket has been cut in two, sewn back together, taken out and pounded with rocks, and dragged everywhere with him.  So far, it's still holding together.  We'll both be sad when it eventually disintegrates.
When he grows up, he wants to be whatever Brighton wants to be, so a builder or a fireman.
 Keaton will come up and tell me he likes me, several times a day.  [See Waverly's post about kissing up to the management].  He loves cars and trucks, and playing in the mud and water.  He loves having baths, and shoveling the driveway, and hot chocolate.  When you push him in the swings, the higher the better, but don't approach him for a conversation or a hug or to throw him up in the air unless invited because you will see the crusty side of him, which is usually the side he presents to my family.  He can be quite sour.  He usually scowls and squeals at Savannah, prompting her to say in frustration, "he hates me!"  It's become a joke between us that he'll still be doing that at age 82, dropping his dentures in the process.  He just squeals louder when we laugh at that.
 He can be quite tender-hearted.  He adores his baby brother, and always made sure I stayed hydrated while nursing the baby by bringing me my jug of water.  We cut his curls off this year, and I miss them greatly!  He has grown into such a big boy this past year, going to preschool with Waverly, and hip hop with Brighton.  I miss my funny baby, but I'm enjoying seeing the emerging personality of this little boy.  Poor Keaton is the runt of the family, but Heavenly Father made up for it by giving him his Daddy's blue-green eyes, which I love!  He's the only one in 6 kids that got them, lucky little boy!
 He is so independent, and likes to pick out his own clothes, dress himself, and pour his own milk.  It generally doesn't matter what we have for breakfast in the morning; he has to have his bowl of cold cereal first, like most Americans insist on their morning cup of coffee.
He may look sweet and innocent, but he can be every bit as naughty as Waverly.  Not up to Big Brother Brighton's status of Master Of Naughtiness yet, but he would be a good understudy.  He's always game to Waverly's whisperings of "let's go do ____ when Mommy's not looking!".  That's how they ended up in the ER twice last year for accidental overdose.
We sure love you, our little Monkey! 

Little Diva

 Waverly is our little Diva.  Savannah often asks, "Was I as bratty as she is when I was 4?"  Public answer, "no, you were a sweet child."  Truth?  "YES!"
Waverly is so girly; she loves bling and frills and glitter and fairies...but she will play in the mud and do stunts with her brothers as well.  The above pose is one she will often strike around the house.  She'll flit in to give me a hug and tell me she likes me, then she'll strike the pose and flit off to play again.


The pose below is what she calls her "cute smile."  One day she tells me, "this is my cute smile, Mom.  What's yours?"  I gave her my best cheeser grin and she wrinkles her nose and frowns and goes, "that's not cute!"  Did I tell you she's brutally honest too?

Waverly is not one to push around.  She's got a scream that'll wake the dead when Brighton tries to push her too far, which is every minute of every live long day!  She is my social butterfly; she'd love to have someone to play with every minute of her life.  Good thing she's got a twin!  And doubly good for her that he'll play Barbies and dress-ups with her!  Not so great for his daddy to come home from work and find his son in a pink ballerina dress-up and heels!  She frequently gives me hugs and tells me she likes me (usually right after her brothers get in trouble.  She's no dummy when it comes to kissing up to the management).
Waverly loves all things pink and purple, fairies, and Pinkalicious.  I have to sing her songs from the Pinkalicious soundtrack before bed at night.  Pinkatitis is her favorite song of choice.  Plus "In the Leafy Treetops" and "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" from Primary. 
Favorite TV show: anything Brighton decides to watch, but mostly Phineas and Ferb, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Word World.
Favorite Movie:  Tangled  {It would also be Pinkalicious, if there was one.  She keeps asking me to buy it from the library.}
Favorite books:  5 Little Monkeys, Pinkalicious, and Dance Matilda, Dance!
Favorite foods:  pizza, root beer, gum, and chocolate!
Best Friend:  Wrigley
Favorite Princess:  Belle and Rapunzel
Favorite thing to do/play with:  dress-ups and Barbies, and ride her bike outside
Waverly loves dance class.  She asks to take singing class when she gets older.  Though she's no Savannah (who sang the L.O.V.E. song when she was 2), this girl can pick up and regurgitate lyrics randomly.  I'll catch her singing parts of a song from the radio through the day.  Good for making Mama to carefully choose songs allowed in the family car!
When she grows up, she wants to be a ballerina.
Waverly, we sure love you, and are so excited to see what fun you'll have as you grow up!