Longsleeves

This week I introduced Case to his winter wardrobe: long-sleeved tee shirts and pants.

But to Case, his pants are just "long-sleeved shorts."

The Twins are Four!

I can't believe the twins are four today. They have their own little personality as a unit, but also as individuals. I can't imagine our family without them!

So, to commemorate their special day, here are four things I love about each of them.

Four things I love about Case:

1. Case is our prayer boy. He ALWAYS is the first to remind us when it's time to have a prayer: at a meal, at night time, before school. And he always wants to say them, but is getting better about letting the others have their turns.

2. He is such a snuggler. More than any of our other kids, Case is always there with hugs and kisses, and is always a willing recipient. Let's hope this holds...

3. We can always count on Case to have a story for us. He is our yarn spinner at the dinner table.

4. Case takes after his big brother in his ability to focus on a job and get it done. If I ask him to pick up toys, puzzles, books... he is on the job and it gets done quickly and well!

Four things I love about Tess:

1. I love that Tess is her own self. She knows what she wants and usually stands her ground until she gets it. Yes, this means there are frequent standoffs between us (and her siblings), but if I can steer her in the right direction that will of hers will be a great strength for her.

2. Tess is our singer. She is always walking around singing one song or another in her sweet little voice.

3. Tess adores her big sister and Mom. She really does want to be like us, which means both Emma and I better mind our p's and q's!!

4. She is such a little nugget of a thing -- she's so easy to scoop up and hug and kiss. It's easy to forget she's not a baby anymore.

So happy birthday Case and Tess. And also to my dad who turns 71 today. Sorry Dad, I'm not going to list 71 things I love about you (although I COULD definitely come up with that many...), just know we love you tons!

Here are a few photos of the twins together over the years. I'm so lucky to have them together! They love each other so much and are always looking out for one another.

We wondered why Case was so much bigger than Tess when they were born...

These two pictures are still pretty indicative of their personalities today...

They have always loved to snuggle together. Just last night Tess climbed in bed with Case because she had a bad dream (better him than me!)

Two little devils on their first Halloween.

First birthday.

Sippin' cider (or a shake) through a straw (a shout out to Girls Camp girls everywhere!)

At the zoo on their third birthday

Blowing candles out earlier today

The Four Year Olds!

Phantom Dreaming

Before Halloween we pulled out our Phantom of the Opera CD and were listening to it often in the car. We all found ourselves humming and singing the various songs throughout the day, even little Tess and Case.

One morning we were listening to it and Tess wanted to know what the "bad guy who is singing here" looks like, so we Googled it and found some YouTube clips of the Broadway production. The twins were hooked!!

Fast forward to last week. Tess was having bad dreams, and in the morning was scared to go back into her bedroom alone to get dressed.

"But Mom! The Phantom of the Opera is in my room!"

"No he isn't Tess. He's just a story."

Tess reluctantly and ever so slowly goes into her room to pick out some clothes.

Case turns to me and says gravely, "Mom, I think the Phantom of the Opera is inside her mind."

(which is funny if you know the lyrics to the songs).

This week, we've moved onto bigger and better, more cultural music. The twins are in the bathtub right now singing "I'm NOT THAT INN-O-CENT!"

Thanks KidzBop.

Two weeks later...

Maybe I haven't posted pictures of my kids' Halloween costumes yet because I'm not yet ready to admit that my kids are growing up. My two older kids are now officially out of the princess and super hero costume phase. The age of innocence passed. Tess was a "cute witch" and Case is still in full super hero mode as "Blue Power Ranger Speed."


This year Emma wanted to be a goth witch/vampire combo and Fisher was a zombie. All our pictures are from the school Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat. Honestly, by the time Halloween is actually here I am so costume and candied out. I didn't even bother with my camera this year! And I've just realized that the only pictures I have of Tess and Case are these family pics!

Two of the witches...

The Zombie Crew...

Our passel (plus one) at the Trunk or Treat.

And Teslin wiped out at the end of the night...

Lost and Found

How is it that kids lose clothes? And I'm not just talking jackets or mittens or the errant pair of shoes here. I'm talking clothes that should not be removed when not in the privacy of your home.

In the Curtis Lost and Found Box, we have:
1. A pair of boys' black Reebok shoes much larger than Fisher's foot
2. A pair of turquoise flip flops that happen to fit Tess perfectly (and which she wears often)
3. A cute little denim jacket, size 2T/3T with flowers embroidered on the front (too bad it's too small for Tess)
4. Many hair accessories - clips/bows/ties
5. An extra bike
6. (and probably the most confusing/disturbing) a pair of boys' size 8 blue underwear that are most definitely not Fisher's. I found these today while folding a batch of the twins' clothes.

So if any of these items sounds familiar to you, please do feel free to stop by to take a look at our Lost and Found!