Evelyn and Olivia: 2.5 Years

It seems unreal to think that we no longer have babies in the house. We have full-fledged toddlers who are quite good at communicating their needs and wants verbally. Madi was also great at communicating with us around this age when I look back at her post, but it still amazes me no less with the twins.

- Both of you are saying "I love you" without prompting. You also have a way of saying that Mommy is pretty or beautiful just after I've scolded you or corrected you which of course defuses whatever it is I was going to scold you about.
- Once Madi was out of school for winter break we started potty training... You are both doing really good and we've had a few outings with no accidents! (Your teachers probably wonder why you ask for marshmallows after every potty time though, haha.)
- Both of you know lots of colors, animals, and some shapes. You can also sing the ABC's.
- There is lots of singing in the car and the amount of songs you girls know is shocking. Granted you do spend a decent bit of time in the car (and significantly more than Madi did at the same age) so it shouldn't be surprising.

- You both inherited Madi's intense focus and concentration for movies. You both easily sit through an entire film without getting antsy. You love Trolls, Minions (and the Despicable Me movies with minions), and anything princess.
- Olivia especially loves blocks and continues to independently play Legos regularly. Evelyn still loves cars, but also has recently started loving playing with dolls and dressing them. Both of you love animals of any kind.
- You are both fantastic at jumping and love the big trampoline and bouncy house.
- We did family pictures this fall and you both did amazing! We got some great shots and Alisha was able to capture the beautiful, but sometimes elusive Olivia smile. :-)

- Evelyn has a zoo in her bed and will sleep with no less than ten stuffed animals (the most important still being Tom Cat - now renames to be TaTa). Olivia has gone from three Ikea pandas down to two and (similar to Madi at this age) can tell the difference between them. She throws the impostor panda out of bed along with any other stuffed animals that dared try and seek refuge there.
- Speaking of beds... we were fortunate that Madi never had an interest in climbing out of her crib thereby remaining in one until she was almost three (and I have no shame in that decision). We were not quite so fortunate with you two mischievous toddlers. You started climbing out and we've swapped you to toddler beds as a result.
- There was still a decent bit of traveling done since your second birthday and the flight count is up to 51 flight segments and 15 countries. :-) You both continue to be great travelers though and we are starting to get to the point where it's easier and less cumbersome to travel as a family of five (but also more expensive ever since you turned two - ha!)

Evelyn and Olivia,

I love you so much more than I could ever express. You are both kind and loving and full of laughter. My favorite activity is watching all three of my girls play together and love on each other. You are going to be best friends and that's so special. You are both also sharp like your big sister and I think once you all join forces that Daddy and I will have to even more alert. I am blessed to have gotten to spend so much time at home with you while I'm still not working, but I know that you are both ready for the challenge and interaction of preschool. I'm thankful that your big sister will also be close by and that you will only be going part time.

Love you now and always sweet girls,
Mommy