Twin Sister Week

Lately, my girls, five and seven (almost eight) have become the quintessential "Bobbsey Twins".

Suddenly, it is of the up most importance to wear similar, if not identical, clothing and to even do up their hair the exact same way.

Now, first of all, the fact that my five year old is suddenly asking me to do her hair is monumental for me. She is the one that if a brush so much as touches her fair tresses, she screams from the torture. Fun little do-dads and ponytails that mommies love to put in little girls' hair?
Are you kidding?

But this past week, she is not only allowing me to fix her hair....she's asking me to! Both girls will come to me with their identical do-dads and ask me to make their hair the exact same way.

One day, they will ask in unison if I can braid their hair ....and perhaps the next day, it's an identical ponytail they desire to sport.

And it doesn't stop with hair...clothes count big time, as well.
For example, it won't do if only one of them is wearing a dress- both will absolutely have to. And it helps if the colors in the dresses both have the same nuances of mauve.

What I find interesting is that it seems to be equally important to each of them!
It's not about my youngest wanting to emulate my oldest...no, it is about each of them wanting to be twins- pure and simple.

The other day, smack in the middle of "Twin Week" here at our household, we were driving somewhere while they were talking amongst themselves in the backseat. Suddenly, my youngest cried,
"Mommy, she wasn't being sweet to me- and I'm her twin!"

So it hasn't been without a few problems. Getting ready to leave somewhere on time, without the required similar clothes, has resulted in a few protests when told to hurry and put on something....anything! How could their mommy be so unjust as to do this to them?

Must.Be.Identical.

Nearly every day this week, they come downstairs dressed alike and stand before me, grinning. My oldest bends her knees and scrunches down, as they ask,
"Which one is which?"

"Um...I just don't know!" I say, looking bewildered. Well, except for the height thing, they do sometimes look an awful alike.

Once this week, my oldest got hurt outside and my youngest was hugging her in sympathy longer than usual. Too sweet...I know.

My youngest told me earnestly, "I feel so sorry for her- she is my twin, you know."

Why this sudden desire to be joined at the hip? I'm honestly not quite sure. I know last year, it was just the opposite problem...It was- Move Over, I'm sitting on Mommy's Lap. Or, the ever-popular- I Sat by Daddy First!
Followed by rude elbows and pushes.

Yep, it was every girl for herself!

All that usual asserting of the independence that occurs was certainly in full bloom last year.

But now...unity is the word of the day.
Yes, they have still had a couple spats (see above un-sweet -twin- in- the- car reference) but it's now all about being the same.
All-For-One-And-One-For-All...or, should I say Both.

I guess having my two girls traipsing around like a pair of identical twins with a slight height problem could be a lot worse. I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Because I know we will most likely see more phases of head-butting in the future...especially when one heads into puberty first.
I have a feeling that the twin thing might not be viewed with as much enthusiasm when this time comes.

Having never had a sister to grow up with, though, I cherish watching them chum around. I kind of get to live vicariously through their relationship, and it's wonderful to watch it change and grow through each stage.

My oldest still remembers when Lil Cherub was a tiny baby...but now....

now she is her best friend.
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I won't be posting again until after the weekend, but I hope to be online off and on to visit some of you...
We plan on visiting the cemetery and picnicking with extended family....and generally enjoying this incredible Memorial Day weather that we are blessed with this year!

A wonderful Memorial Day weekend to each of you!