Just One Twin

Sis and I went out today. Alone. With Bud at home with Babysitter. See, she had been upset that I was leaving, really upset, after being clingy most of the day. And so I figured, what the heck, maybe we need some together time. I had some errands in mind but nothing I couldn't take her along to or forget altogether.

She perked up at the idea, wiping tears away from her round face with Shirt (though she is entirely unsure about being left at home when I take Bud out alone next week, as promised, but she'll worry about that later). Even Bud was game, which I couldn't have necessarily predicted. But he loves Babysitter and probably relished having all of her attention for a change (he dreamed about her last night, too, since we saw her at dinner at "her" restaurant).

And so Sis and I headed to the craft store, where we bought some thread that was on sale, my main reason for going. She proudly carried the coupon and helped me find exactly what I was looking for. And then she chose some cookie tins (with penguins) for her teachers' holiday presents. And we got two cookie dough scoopers; though I favor a two-spoon method for dough, they have trouble with it and might have better luck with the scooper for now. And then we chose yarn for a scarf that I promised, on the spot, to make her. I can see that outings with Sis are gonna cost me.

We then headed to the bookstore for a snack and had fun sitting together munching and chatting. She has chosen my Christmas present but wouldn't let me guess nor give me any clues (Mama, she wants to take you back so you can buy it. I won't tell you what she wants to buy you). The person next to us remarked on how beautiful she is (she is, but I'm biased. And she's smart and kind, too). And I said we were having a special day out alone, with her twin at home. I'd said the same thing to a mom pushing her baby twins along in the stroller. I wonder how long it will be before I stop mentioning that they are twins?

Anyway, we played trains and read a book in the kids' section and then headed home. On the way to the car, as she thought of other places we could go (like the library), she told me, "I think I could get used to this."

Me too.

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Update: Bud thinks he wants to go for ice cream for his special outing next week, saying he'd bring some back for the whole family. Sis wants chocolate, of course. Then he thought he might rather go to the bookstore for rice krispy treats and added that he would bring one back for Sis. Sis looked stricken and confessed that she'd had a rice krispy treat but hadn't brought one back for him. She said there were only two (though I'm not sure why that was an excuse but it seemed to work, until . . . ). He panicked, thinking he wouldn't be able to have one on Tuesday. But I assured him that they'd have more. Rice krispy treats at the store are so much better than any we could make at home, I know. And it looks like our special singleton outings may become a tradition.