Last year I sent Valentine cards to the twins' cousins. It was fun putting together cards for an extra holiday. It seemed so much more appropriate to send Valentine love to family rather than random school friends...which we don't have yet. Then this past Christmas, Despicable Me was on TV and we DVR'd the show. The twins love the minions just as every other American child does. I saw a FB post where Twinkies had been packaged as minions, and I had to give my take on it. I used my new Silhouette I got for Christmas to cut out the overalls I designed and the goggles. The googly eye stickers and hand drawn Sharpie smiles add the perfect touch. I laughed with glee, so excited to package them up and get them on their way. I know I would've squealed, shrieked and laughed my head off if I'd received a pair of minions for Valentine's.
Again last year, I lamented not thinking ahead and spending the week Bryan was in Vegas for his yearly sales meeting with family. I braved the twins on my own for four whole days. It's a lot to handle as one adult. I really am amazed that there continues to be single parents. I absolutely hated being a single parent for those four days. It's so tough at the end of the day and knowing the next will be just like it, all on your own again. This year I planned ahead. So far ahead, that we thought about the airplane trip and what may help with having a reasonable experience. Bryan had the brilliant idea of personal headphones and below are photos of the airplane training sessions. Laith isn't much of a sport about headphones. He didn't like his ears being covered. Vivienne was the extreme opposite. She wandered the house forever, enjoying tunes on Daddy's phone.
(yes I know...not the most appropriate style dancing for a budding dancer...but she absolutely loves it...once she starts copying the moves, I'll probably make this video a mandatory no-no)
Both twins love technology. However, only Vivienne has the patience to keep with it. Laith is just moving too fast. This pic was snapped by the lovely Vivienne herself. She got a hold of my phone and started going to town with the camera feature. She loves to swipe through the pictures. It's not a bad shot for a first time selfie!
(yes, again, I know...he's wearing MY shoes...at least they are ugly house shoes that could almost be considered men's shoes...)
Finally! Evidence we went to Utah and visited family! I always forget to take pictures...once again I'd forgotten. These shots Bryan took on his only day in Utah. Laith had fun playing with Alex. In one picture he's hugging him, the next he's taking off to tackle him to the ground. Alex was a good sport about his shenanigans. I wish we lived close so Laith could get out his toughness on another tough boy rather than the sweet little girl named Vivienne who was playing the piano. She has great posture!
Adding to my collection of door 'wreaths. For Valentine's, I took a wire heart shape and filled it with a fluffy, carnation pink feather boa. It was perfect for a frilly holiday. For March though, I wanted something a little more sophisticated. I saw a horseshoe decorated on Etsy for just everyday decor and thought what a great idea. A horseshoe for the bit o luck needed in March. I trimmed it with greenery to keep the festive mood of St. Patrick's Day but didn't go overboard.
Finally - FINALLY!! Vivienne has long enough hair to put up pretty. She's not a huge fan of hairdo's, so I play with it often, making teeny braids, ponytails, pigtails, hoping all the while she'll get used to it. My plans have worked well, as last week for the first time, she let me put her hair up in pigtails and actually left the hair clips in. Laith left them alone as well, which was a huge sigh of relief. The last time I tried pigtails, I had to hold Vivienne down like a squealing hog and then Laith promptly ripped them out once I let her go. She screamed to no end and it was a very long time before I was allowed to play with her hair again. Thank goodness her long term memory isn't well established yet! Laith also was given a 'hat' hairdo. We've tried over and over to get him to wear a cap like Bryan but he just doesn't like anything on his head. Bryan came home with several hats from Vegas, the one above being his absolute new favorite. And where did he leave it lying? On the credenza which he thought was high enough. Not anymore. Laith grabbed it with his grubby Cheetoh fingers and ran over to me, showing me his new do. He wouldn't let up until I'd taken a 'cheese' picture. I then had to pry the hat off his head, clean off the grime and stash it in our closet where grubby 2-year-old hands can't find it. I pulled out his special ball cap but he wouldn't wear it. Only Daddy's would do...of course.
