In an ideal world or place twins would thrive and grow at exactly the same rate. Unfortunately, that is not the world we live in, so I am constantly explaining how Ryan is older, but shorter than Moy. The fact that Moy is a girl and matures at a different rate than Ryan adds to her edge of appearing to be older.
At birth, Ryan was longer than Moy and he outweighed her by half a pound even. Somewhere just after the first year, Moy surpassed Ryan in growing. She was always the more voracious eater as well and she still is to this day. She is the one who has her face to the plate eating while Ryan is chatting it up. Currently, Ryan is only half of a head shorter than Moy, but he has a huge personality and other kids are drawn to him for that.
The one person who is the most puzzled as to how nature has run its course so far, is Moy. Ryan has not been so concerned about this difference in height probably because we do not make a big deal about it and we tell him that everyone sprouts differently. In Moy's world, just about everyone who is older than her is taller than her. The exception to this rule so far is her brother. She is not so concerned about height and age in the adult world...some how it is acceptable. In a kids' world, it is usually the case that someone who is older would be taller....eg) an 8 year old is typically taller than a 6 year old. So, Moy comes to me and asks, "When is my older brother going to be taller than me because that is what she is supposed to be." I just tell her that everybody is different and one day he may be taller than her.
At first glance, people assume that Emily is older since she is taller and has a bit of a more mature look to her. Once I tell them how old Ryan and Moy are, people just light up because they think it is so wonderful and cool to have twins, especially a boy and a girl. Yes, it seems to be the dream combination for families who only desire to have two children. I sometimes do get tired of pointing out the older but shorter scenario, but I find it a bit amusing at times too.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Homework
Most parents with 2 kids in school will have as much homework stress as I do, but what makes my case unique is that I have the same homework assignment for each child. Ryan and Moy are both in the same class and have been classmates since they were 3 years old. Since the twins are both 5 years old, it means that both require the same amount of parental supervision while they are doing their homework. Needless, to say it is challenging to provide equal attention simultaneously.
The most difficult homework assignment that I have encountered so far is creative writing. Yes, they went to a kindergarten that included a reading program and writing is part of that process. Thankfully, creative writing was only once a week. I sat in the middle between them, I talked to each of them individually about the story he/she wanted to write based on the opening sentence given. Then I proceeded to write that story as told by them on paper ever so neatly, so Ryan/Moy can read my handwriting and copy the storey into their journal. As soon as I got 1 child started I would then turn my attention to the other one and repeat the process. Of course in an ideal world the twins would sit patiently and wait their turn. That was not always the case...most of the time. In the beginning, this strategy worked, but as they learned more words they wanted to print the draft themselves. This lead to a lot of going back and forth for me helping them spell words for their stories. The only part that did not require my help as the drawing that accompanied the storey. It was quite a process from start to finish.
Another homework assignment that is always good to have a partner help with is reading. It is simply not possible to have each child reading aloud at the same time. I could let them just read by themselves, but I would not be able to help correct them or help sound out new words. So, what is really a simple task that should take 10 minutes to complete can easily turn into a minimum 20 minutes to complete because of having twins. Again, only because I want to do things properly that I get myself into this situation. One day when they are older they will probably not need me to sit next to them as they read. Reading is always a positive activity and it is also a great way to spend time together, so I don't mind it that much.
I may be a little tired and run down, but at least by having the same homework assignments I only need to read the instructions once. At this juncture in their education, I do prefer my current homework situation versus them being in different classes. One day I am sure they will be in separate classes, but until then I am going to "enjoy" it while I can.
The most difficult homework assignment that I have encountered so far is creative writing. Yes, they went to a kindergarten that included a reading program and writing is part of that process. Thankfully, creative writing was only once a week. I sat in the middle between them, I talked to each of them individually about the story he/she wanted to write based on the opening sentence given. Then I proceeded to write that story as told by them on paper ever so neatly, so Ryan/Moy can read my handwriting and copy the storey into their journal. As soon as I got 1 child started I would then turn my attention to the other one and repeat the process. Of course in an ideal world the twins would sit patiently and wait their turn. That was not always the case...most of the time. In the beginning, this strategy worked, but as they learned more words they wanted to print the draft themselves. This lead to a lot of going back and forth for me helping them spell words for their stories. The only part that did not require my help as the drawing that accompanied the storey. It was quite a process from start to finish.
Another homework assignment that is always good to have a partner help with is reading. It is simply not possible to have each child reading aloud at the same time. I could let them just read by themselves, but I would not be able to help correct them or help sound out new words. So, what is really a simple task that should take 10 minutes to complete can easily turn into a minimum 20 minutes to complete because of having twins. Again, only because I want to do things properly that I get myself into this situation. One day when they are older they will probably not need me to sit next to them as they read. Reading is always a positive activity and it is also a great way to spend time together, so I don't mind it that much.
I may be a little tired and run down, but at least by having the same homework assignments I only need to read the instructions once. At this juncture in their education, I do prefer my current homework situation versus them being in different classes. One day I am sure they will be in separate classes, but until then I am going to "enjoy" it while I can.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Birthday Parties
With twins, birthday parties can be a bit trickier to plan especially if you have a boy and a girl. I found this to be the case. I had tried to delay the inevitable "I want to invite my friends from school" party as long as I could. The year is upon us where this will be the new reality.
The first question was how do we go about arranging this. Will there be a seperate boy party and a seperate girl party? On the same day or different days? Again, the underlying question still remains, is it seperate or together? Being a mom is an endless gig that just zaps the energy out of you, so I decided that I want to do this party one time. It will be a boys and girls party celebrating both Ryan and Moy's birthday on the same day...one party.
The second question was how the inviting will be done. Will everyone just come and celebrate both Ryan and Moy's birthday regardless of who he/she plays with more or whether it is Ryan's friend or Moy's friend? That would mean everyone attending should bring two gifts, one for each child. At first I wondered to myself, will people have an issue with this? I talked to some friends and through much consultation it really is no different than going to two different birthday parties for children of two different families. In fact, this saves a trip and a weekend afternoon. Since Ryan and Moy are in the same class it will not be strange for the guests to celebrate both their birthdays because they all know the twins. If they were in different classes, I may have had to celebrate over two days because it is a lot more difficult to have 30 to 40 kids in a single place. Also, same situation but with a single party, I would have invitations specifying who's birthday a guest was invited to, so only one gift would need to be brought, unless it was a friend that they shared then two gifts would be appropriate.
The third question involved location and activity. This the simplest part for me, so no advice needed there as long as it would be good for both boys and girls.
The fourth and last question for me involved the cake. I am going to plan for individual themed cupcakes. There can be boy ones and girls ones if the twins get picky about it. The best thing is there will be no cutting and guests can take it home if they like.
After this "I want to invite my friends from school" party is over, it is time to setup the family one because everyone needs to be satisfied. No, I don't think there is anything that I will get out of all this except to see my kids happy. That really is the only reason that I will put myself through this. Wish me luck!
The first question was how do we go about arranging this. Will there be a seperate boy party and a seperate girl party? On the same day or different days? Again, the underlying question still remains, is it seperate or together? Being a mom is an endless gig that just zaps the energy out of you, so I decided that I want to do this party one time. It will be a boys and girls party celebrating both Ryan and Moy's birthday on the same day...one party.
The second question was how the inviting will be done. Will everyone just come and celebrate both Ryan and Moy's birthday regardless of who he/she plays with more or whether it is Ryan's friend or Moy's friend? That would mean everyone attending should bring two gifts, one for each child. At first I wondered to myself, will people have an issue with this? I talked to some friends and through much consultation it really is no different than going to two different birthday parties for children of two different families. In fact, this saves a trip and a weekend afternoon. Since Ryan and Moy are in the same class it will not be strange for the guests to celebrate both their birthdays because they all know the twins. If they were in different classes, I may have had to celebrate over two days because it is a lot more difficult to have 30 to 40 kids in a single place. Also, same situation but with a single party, I would have invitations specifying who's birthday a guest was invited to, so only one gift would need to be brought, unless it was a friend that they shared then two gifts would be appropriate.
The third question involved location and activity. This the simplest part for me, so no advice needed there as long as it would be good for both boys and girls.
The fourth and last question for me involved the cake. I am going to plan for individual themed cupcakes. There can be boy ones and girls ones if the twins get picky about it. The best thing is there will be no cutting and guests can take it home if they like.
After this "I want to invite my friends from school" party is over, it is time to setup the family one because everyone needs to be satisfied. No, I don't think there is anything that I will get out of all this except to see my kids happy. That really is the only reason that I will put myself through this. Wish me luck!
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