My little backseat driver

Well JD, we learned a lesson together today - a great lesson for you on how Mommies sometimes get in trouble too! We're not perfect!

For months, you have been inquiring about the "rules of the road" as we drive. You know that you have to stop completely at stop signs, that you can't speed, that you sometimes can turn right on red and as of today, that you cannot make a U turn when there is a NO U TURN sign.

We were driving on Ritchie Hwy, a road I have driven on my entire life. We were headed to get the oil changed in the car and as we sat at a stop light near the Jiffy Lube, you noticed a sign ahead.  As we discussed how we were going to get to the Jiffy Lube that we had already passed on the other side of the highway, I explained that we were going to do a U turn to get there.  While I was explaining this, you noticed the

and you asked what this sign meant. I said "Oh, hmmm, that means we're not allowed to do a U turn here - but we're doing one anyway". And by the way, I had not even noticed the "new" sign until you pointed it out. I have done U turns there for years - this sign had not been there for long.  Just then, the light turned and I made an illegal U turn (much to your dismay).  As I was rounding the corner, I saw a police car sitting on the other side of the highway and he was pulling out, with lights on, to get us.  You couldn't see him because he was behind us but when I told you that the police were behind us and we had to stop, you were scared. Your eyes were as big as saucers. You asked if I was going to jail. Your cheeks were red and your eyes were welled up.

I FELT AWFUL!  I had just set a terrible example for you by doing something illegal, even though I knew it was illegal. We saw the sign - YOU (my 4.5 year old in the back seat) pointed it out!  I did it anyway.

So, Mr. Police officer came to my window and asked if I knew what he pulled me over for. I lied again and said "No".  I was praying that you weren't going to pipe up in the back and say, we saw the no U turn sign back there but she did it anyway.  I think you were too scared to open your mouth though....he told me that it was because that was an illegal U turn and there were signs there - how did I not see them? After he took my license and registration back to his car - you were full of questions. I reassured you that we were not going to jail - but that I did something very wrong and I might get a ticket. You needed to know all about that and how much it would cost etc.

It must have been our lucky day because he gave me a warning - no ticket. And he told me to watch for the signs next time.  As we sat waiting for him to come back to the car, all of our windows were down - it was a beautiful sunny day.  As he walked away from the car for the last time, you promptly said "MOMMY, I TOLD YOU THERE WAS A NO U TURN SIGN THERE".  With the windows down, I'm certain he heard your little voice reprimanding me - and I'm sure it gave him a good laugh.

So, we all learned a lesson today.  Parents aren't perfect - and there is always a good opportunity to teach your kids a lesson, even if they have to see it the hard way.  I am certain that this experience is going to be engrained in you forever now - you were scared and terribly upset that I had done the wrong thing.  I guess that's not such a bad thing afterall is it?  You are my conscience when I'm driving my Son - now and forever - even at the age of 4.5.

I love you buddy!

Baby, I was born this way

Well boys, you had a big milestone this week…you got to ride the BIG BOY rides at Funland! We’ve been waiting all winter for Funland to open! There’s not much more exciting than that!



The FREEFALL ride was the ride you were on when I took this photo. JD, you were absolutely horrified and scared, and Cole, you were laughing hysterically and exhilarated. It was AWESOME to watch (although I was caught between crying, laughter and telling the guy running the ride to stop it immediately for you). After it was over, Cole wanted more (and rode 5 more times) and you wanted to get as far as you could away from it. You immediately declared that “you’ll never ride that thing again”. I cannot look at this photo without convulsing in laughter…

Anyone who *knows* you, knows that the two of you are very different, even though you’re twins. Most people think that because you are twins and you both have blond hair, that you should be exactly alike.

I snapped many pictures over the course of the weekend and this one jumped out at me as I was downloading and looking at them. This photo speaks volumes about your personalities and the fact that you are so very different. I take pride in that fact – I strive to give you both the individuality that you deserve – since most of society wants to lump you together as one.

I want to see you flourish doing your own things – having your own favorite activities and things you are good at. Your personalities are very different, which will serve you well through life. You’re best buddies *most* of the time – and you compliment each other perfectly with your traits. Nothing warms my heart more than to see you each excel at different things and be proud of each other for those things. You encourage each other in subtle ways that only a Mom can see.

I have a feeling that this photo is going to speak volumes about the two of you for years – Our wise pediatrician once told me, shortly after you were born, that the only thing you have in common was the day you were born. He made sure that I remembered to keep that in mind while we help you grow up. You are two very different people physically, emotionally and socially. And I could not be more proud of you at this young age, for the boys you have grown to be!

I can’t wait to go to Funland again for our next adventures!