We are going through a phase where we are rather "physical" with each other. It seems that hair pulling and pushing are the preferred methods of communication (thankfully we're not biting - yet). I have tried timeouts and for some reason, in our house, they are considered a reward; in fact it is a perceived privilege to get to go to the "think about it chair" (located where there is nothing to do, but stare at a wall, and you are ignored). Often, the victim of the initial offense will attack as soon as the perpetrator of said offense is returned to the family room so that the victim can also go to the chair (does this count as taking turns?). Another fun game is "Airplane", this involves using the Fisher Price "Little People" airplane and holding it right at your sister's head, when she runs shrieking "no more, no more", or better yet "please stop, please stop", you increase the volume of your engine noise and pursue her with all you've got...if the plane isn't available, you may simply chase her with your outstretched hand while making airplane noises. We are also pros a "Snatch The Blankie", in this game you wait until your sister is approaching a calm state following an upset (perhaps a rousing game of Airplane or a good solid shove), she is sucking her thumb while holding her security blanket, you walk by, grab the blanket and run as fast as you can; hysterics guaranteed! I think we have hit "The Terrible Twos" with full force. I also think the "one minute for each year of age" rule for timeouts may be pitched...two minutes isn't doing the trick, I'm wondering about 4-5...
Not all hope is lost, the girls are still staunch defenders of one another in the event of attack by a third party. Lucy recently nibbled on Emily's arm (it didn't break the skin and barely left a mark - more of a warning) and Madeleine ran to get Emily's blankie for her. We took that opprtunity to have a conversation about kitties not having words, so if they walk away, it is their way of saying "no thank you". The girls keep trying to "pick up Lulu" and all they can manage is handfuls of fur and skin - Lucy isn't thrilled. The event was followed by three days of both girls scolding the cat whenever she chose to be around them. They will also sing to each other at night if one is upset and the other isn't; that part is actually very sweet.
In other, more positive, news we took the girls back to Yorktown on Saturday and this time there was actual "swimming". We did think to bring a change of clothes for each of them, just in case, but next time they are simply going in their swimming suits. There was actually very little interest in the sand this time, due to our increased confidence with the water.
Emily in red shirt, Madeleine in striped shirt.
Madeleine demonstrates her splashing abilities.
Emily "swims".Yesterday the girls and I connected with their friend Gaius and his mom (Gaius brings a soccer ball and we share our snacks, sometimes grudgingly, with him - we're all learning lessons) in Colonial Williamsburg. We had a fine time blowing the bubbles Gaius's mom brought (Emily could actually blow them and Madeleine came close) and had fun watching a caterpillar before they got there. This time we even went as far as touching the caterpillar as seen in the video. While you hear me telling the girls not to touch, they had already had that opportunity, and for the sake of the caterpillar's longevity, it looked like that activity need to at least slow down if not come to an end.
Emily on left, Madeleine on right, caterpillar in between (we were highly distressed when the caterpillar moved from the gravel path to the grass - God only knows why!)
Emily reaches for some of the tree's pink flowers (she subsequently gathered the ones already on the ground).
Madeleine runs back to the stroller.Madeleine and Emily would like to wish their Aunt Liz and Uncle Kyle a happy 24th! (click names for riveting videos!)
