Look-alikes

One of the biggest problems I've come across with the girls is the fact that they look so much alike. It was a problem from day one. Little babies look similar, but to have two that were identical? Quite an issue for just about anyone who looked at them.

Over the years we came up with numerous ways to help people tell them apart. When they were babies, they wore bracelets, or one had her toenails painted and the other didn't. When they got to be toddlers, the bracelets still worked, but we'd dress them differently. In kindergarden, they were in separate classes, which was one of the best ways to not only keep teachers from mixing them up, but to help them develop their own identities.

Now that they're in middle school, the girls have developed very distinct personalities. They dress differently, act differently, and very rarely are they together. Most of their teachers don't even know that they are twins (they only have one class together) and all of their friends can tell them apart quite easily.

But that's not to say that this isn't still an issue. Many of the adults in our lives still have trouble telling them apart. The truth is, they look just alike and talk just alike and for people who only see them once a week or so, its still confusing. They take it in stride, and correct folks when they need to. I know its still frustrating for them, especially when I, their mother, blurt out the wrong name.

This new age has me looking for new ways to help them to be individuals. Middle school is so different - even for me - and I'm hoping that this change will spur other changes in their personalities, confidence levels and they way the interact with friends and each other. I tell people all the time - twins are a challenge that doesn't get easier, it just gets different!

Meet The Teacher Night

Last night was meet-the-teacher night at the middle school. Pete and I were already exhausted from a long day of work by the time we got there, only to find out we'd be following the girls' 8-period schedules all the way through with 10 minutes in each class.

It was mass chaos with all the parents. Most hadn't brought their kids with them and had no idea where they were going. Lucky me, I had my excited kid to lead me around.

So many things reminded of my own trip through middle school. The lockers, desks, the smell of the lunch room and the gym, and finally the welcome relief I had when walking out the front door to go home.

So far, the girls are liking middle school and doing well. I know its only two weeks in, but I'm going for small victories here! Hopefully it will be many more weeks before they have their first argument with a friend, get teased or pushed around, or decide that I'm not the super-cool mom I've been for 11 years any more.

Hold on folks, its a whole new roller coaster!

Gym class + zombies

Yikes. Today is Alex & Maryssa's first gym class in 6th grade. Which means its also their first time to dress-out for gym and to experience the gym locker room.

My memories of the gym locker room are not that good, so I'm hoping that this goes along without too much drama. I guess we'll see.

The other item of note today is the strangeness of the boys who share the bus stop with us in the morning. Every day I'm reminded how glad I am that I have girls. Today, one of them arrived at the stop acting like a zombie - twisted face, crazy eyes, dragging his leg as he walked - and continued to do it the entire time we waited for the bus. He even got on the bus like that! The driver and I exchanged a look. Hopefully, she can tell that he's not mine.

Middle School Sucks

Ok, so its been almost exactly a year since my last post. So what? I was busy.

Alex & Maryssa started middle school last week. Its been crazy. The first few days were all about figuring out the bus and how to get to and from school. After that, we had to focus on supplies, and making sure we had absolutely everything we could possible need to be in the 6th grade.

Now, we're into survival mode. Getting up in the morning, getting out of the house, getting homework done every day, eating, showering, and then getting up to do it all again.

It's exhausting. I'm tired from it all. And I'm sure that just as soon as we get used to it we'll track out. Or, it will be time for high school.