Back in the blog saddle.

Sorry for the hiatus, folks. I've broken a promise to a friend with my absence from the blogging world. Tonight's is not gonna be my best because I am seriously tired and yawning as I write this, but here we go.

The girls stayed with me last night. Due to technical difficulties, they didn't get to sleep until 10:30 for the little one and 11 for the big one but I wanted them to sleep late this morning because I had a report to write, so that was okay.

The little one got up at 7 anyway. And then I found out the the report isn't until next week. Auspicious beginning, no?

The big one doesn't usually stay awake long after the other is up, because, if all else fails, the little one will attack the sister and bounce on her until she wakes. This doesn't sit well with said sister, but by then it's usually too late to do anything but whine.

When they were both awake, breakfast was first order; I hadn't done French toast in awhile, so I did this morning, with some trepidation. They've been pretty deficient n veggies lately, especially the big one; the other will happily chow down on raw veggies fairly often, so I'm not so worried about her. At least these were whole wheat.

The toddler today succeeded in giving herself a ponytail for the first time. It was too loose, being only the one loop, and consequently started falling apart immediately, but she was so immensely pleased with herself I couldn't really argue the point. It eventually fell out and the sister put it back in for her, with proper wrapping technique (and to admonitions of "Gently! Gently!")

They're remarkably different creatures. The little one turned two a couple of weeks ago. At that age, the big one was already speaking in pretty complex sentences, and has gotten remarks on her speech ever since. The little one, OTOH, still has a relatively simple grasp of grammar, and it's often hard to distinguish (partly because she now says almost everything, so there are lots of words that sound alike). Big sister could use a computer mouse handily and knew the basics of navigating hyperlinks.

At the same time, the big one, though a very enthusiastic singer, is, sad to say, completely unable to carry a tune. Ever see the I Love Lucy episodes where she tries to sing? And thinks she's doing a wonderful job? Well, it's a lot like that. The toddler, though, does a very passable impression of Ariel's aria from The Little Mermaid, and can convey almost everything she needs to through a few words and her amazingly expressive face.

The big one, while capable of bouts of intense silliness, is extremely sober and perceptive, always ready to jump on something that seems to defy her sensibilities. The little one is just a ball of silly cuteness, and seems to be completely unaware that anything she does could cause anyone harm -- because once she realizes she has, she is immediately overcome with grief and sympathy, and brings in every available family member to assist with hug and kiss therapy.

The big one,at this age, had zero ability to tell fantasy from reality. I could keep her out of anything by putting an invisible door in front of it an locking it; help her up the stairs by hauling an invisible rope; sate her sweet tooth with imaginary candy. On night I experimented when she said she was cold I gave her a "special" blanket (special, to her, meaning imaginary); she cuddled in it for a minute or so, then pointed to a real blanket and said, I need another one.")

The little one has little understanding of imaginary things, and those she does accept she clearly accepts only as make-believe. Instead she'll play the hiding game, or bit-your-nose for hours on end.

I had a short day with them; dropped them off with mom on my way to the the first meeting of my children's book writer's circle. Which went well. Hope to blog about that soon. But now I have to hit the sheets. Love ya all.