180 Degrees

It's been almost a complete turnaround here at Chez Twin. Thank goodness for sleep. I can totally tell that the twins feel better and are not as sleep deprived. We've been having a great time these last few days and I so hope it continues.

A few examples:

Today we built a fairy house out of sticks. It started as a Lincoln Log building but then became a lean-to with a bark roof. DS wandered the yard looking for accessories, "What else do we need?" We made a front walk with leaves, a fence with sticks, rock furniture, and even dug a swimming pool. DD was in charge of fairy food, collecting dozens of mini-pinecones for snack. We worked out in for quite awhile. And then, even when we were done and back inside, DS kept wanting to look at the fairy house from the back window.

Yesterday, we went fishing. From the front step. DD supplied us each with sticks for fishing rods. We also paddled with these, singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." We caught trout, halibut, and octopus. DS ate a whale. And then DD went swimming with the turtles. In fact, they've named the rock that is partially visible next to our driveway (and does look like a turtle back)--it's "Franklin." Guess what show we're watching now. Then we went to the island to have a picnic. Of goldfish, of course.

There was a scary point yesterday, though, in the backyard. There was a bear. Polar or brown, depending on the child you asked. In the big bushes in back. At first it was fun. "I see the bear. I see his eyes," said DS. But then he believed himself and started to get scared, crawling into my lap crying. DD tried to reassure him and was going to go check on the bear, but only would take 3 steps towards the bushes. So I did the bear dance. Know it? You stomp around, claws raised, singing, "Bear, Bear, go away, DD and DS want to play. Grrrrrrr." It works for tigers, too.

And just when spring hits, we were inside an igloo today, with our scarves and hats. The igloo itself was made out of a rainbow blanket draped over the coffee table and some chairs. We all crawled in and out making snow angels, getting "BRrrrrr" as DD said, and crawling back inside.

More polar bears: we have this great big bush (that was much bigger when we bought the house and we trimmed it back to find the sidewalk) that has been pretty barren for months. And it has this wonderful arch, making this space under the branches that can fit several people. And when it was snowy, a few times this winter, we played polar bear cave and hid in it. The snow is gone and there are little buds on it now but it is still the polar bear cave. And now we're climbing it. DD hoisted herself up and even walked across the low branch, so proud to be climbing the tree by herself. DS wanted to follow and so she helped him, "Put your foot here. I'm right behind you. It's okay." And hew as so proud when he made it up on the branch, "I can see leaves. And flowers. And squirrels. And the bear. And you."

And baking. We're always baking. Real baking. Pretend baking. Both yesterday and today, we were making pies in the sandbox. DD called them "Mixed Berry Blueberry Pie." I love the name. And she carefully placed rings of tiny pinecones on top of the mound of sand. DS helped her make them--he was in charge of the crust. He liked putting cherries on his pies, made from white garden rocks. Yum, I've never eaten so much. I think we're going to have to make real pies soon, with berries we pick ourselves. They loved picking blueberries last year, even if DD would fill her pail and then dump it on the ground, not quite grasping the concept.

We've also been playing a lot of hide-and-seek. Not the usual game though. I count, they hide and giggle, and I find them because they pop out at me. DD always hides under the window next to the couch; DS changes places some but rarely stays in them through the ten count. Then we start again. Or it's my turn to hide and they go around pretending not to find me until they do and we all laugh.

I hope spring lasts forever.