Twice as nice (Twin Tuesday)

Here are 7 of my reasons it's twice as nice rather than double the trouble when you have twins:

1. They always have a playmate: When they go to nursery for the first time, they aren't on their own. They have a friend when you go to new places. They can wake up together and have an early morning chat. Plus the fact that they have a playfriend can sometimes give you a little break to get a cuppa/something to eat!
2. They can learn from each other: Whilst sometimes this be be a source of much mischief, they can also see one another learning. What one can do, the other is more likely to want to try. It can work for eating, walking, exploring new toys.
3. It's magical when they interact: When you stop, and slow down and watch your twins interact it can be amazing. I try to make some time every day just to sit and watch them together. Heads bent over a project, reaching out to one another.
4. You have twice the giggles: There is a LOT of laughter in our house. It's such a joyful sound. We hear them through the baby monitors laughing at each other. It's infectious. They egg each other on and play off the fact that each thinks they are hilarious.
5. They help each other: Yes, sometimes they don't like to share and can fall out. Even at 21m though they look out for each other. They shout each other when it's time for lunch. They pass the water. Sometimes they even feed each other snacks.
6. Your arms are full of love: It is wonderful when they both come and have hugs and fun at the same time. Yes, your hands are full but full of an abundance of love.
7. There is nothing like two little hands holding yours: Now that the boys are walking it is so lovely when we are walking along and they both hold your hand. Or stop and look up at you, to see what you think or to point something out to you.

What do you love about having twins?

Painting with the toddler two (Twin Tuesday)

One thing I've started to realise recently is that I'm not so good when our days are totally unstructured. The boys are at a stage where most of their toys seem to end up hidden in various places - thrown behind the fireguard, the sofa, the table, the door...

One of the things I am starting to do is some more loosely structured activities with them at home on days where we aren't out and about. This way I feel that there is more impact and meaning to the time we have together. One of the things we have started doing is some arts and crafts time together. Although we have only had a few sessions I thought I'd share some of my tips which seem to have made it easier for us all. After all, it's supposed to be fun!

Use a happy time slot
Start your art slot at a time when you know your little ones should be fairly happy - fed, changed, not too tired. 

Keep it short
I've found that for us all to be happy, activities which don't need either too much preparation time or require too much time at the activity work best. That way you don't get frustrated if they don't like the activity or it doesn't last that long, and they don't get fed up because they get bored.

Be realistic in your expectations
Don't set out thinking you'll be creating works of art! I've found the sessions have worked best where I don't mind what it looks like at the end (they are only 20 months old!) and we have just had fun with what we are doing in the moment. Focus on process, not outcome. Want to keep some of the art? Initial and date so you know who did what, and when.

Be prepared
Ooh, this is the big one! It helps if you have everything set up and ready so you don't have to go out of the room once you get started! Depending on what sort of painting or other craft activity we are doing this can include:

All the paint and paper we need for the activity

• Painting overalls
• Wipes/flannel
• Paper
• Any accessories such as stamps, bubble wrap etc, paintbrushes
• Sticky tape - I make little circles of bits of tape and use these to stick the paper we are working on to the table. You just need to be gently when you are moving the paper off the table not to rip it.

Be observant

Watch to see how the activity is doing. Spend time concentrating and praising each child for their progress. Offer help if it is needed. Keep an eye out for them getting bored of the activity and get ready to stop before they get fed up.

Prepare a transition

Tell them when you're about to get ready to stop. If you can, get them involved in tidying up, wiping up. Often I will have something else that we are going to do ready as the next thing, even if it is as simple as a sit down with a story.

Make a memory

Keep the best, sign and date them and pop them in a scrap book. I have a book for each of the boys with their name on front. 

Final tips

An extra twin tip someone gave me was remember they don't have to be doing exactly the same activity (although you know your twins to know if doing different things could cause more trouble!). If you think it is going to be messy then one could paint and the other could colour or do stickers.

If you want to get started but you are afraid of the mess, then using bubble wrap or a potato cut in half could help you - just dab them in a little paint rather than letting them control the paint pot!