School Days

Rowan and Evelyn had their pictures made at school.  School pictures have really changed from the old days.  Gone are the days of kids standing in the school cafeteria.  Nowadays they bring in a professional photographer who will even take sibling pictures.  These are the ones we bought, although we could have spent their college funds on photographs they were so good.

They're both doing well in school and they seem to enjoy it most days. Rowan was a learning a little faster than Evey.  The school wanted to move her to the next level of preschool, but Evelyn wasn't quite ready yet.

It's a hard decision: to separate or not to separate.  They've always been together.  Slept in the same crib until they got too big to fit.  And they are so close.  Yet we thought it would be good for them both to have some time a part and decided they were ready.

They both did really well a part.  Their teachers said they were actually interacting with the other children more.  Evelyn started advancing quicker too.  She was working hard to learn her ABC's, prompting herself to practice even.  In fact, she was ready to move up in about two weeks, but they were both doing so well on their own that we decided to delay the move until the following month.


The funny thing about the girls is they started pretending that Rowan was the "big sister," and Evelyn, "the little sister."  I suppose they see a lot of other kids who have siblings of various ages.  Twins are not the norm--although there are two other sets on the playground.

At home, they were happy to see each other and play together.  It seemed like a good move.  Although, I think the move stressed Rowan in ways I didn't expect.


Rowan was often the protector of Evelyn.  Their teachers said that she was more social and that when she sat next to other kids that she would always find the seat that had two seats in a row so Evelyn would be next to her.

So one night, Rowan was having a nightmare and started to cry.  I picked her up and brought her to my room to comfort her.  She said, "Check on Evey, make sure she's not bleeding."  She was awake, but really upset.  I said, "Evey's okay, I just saw her."  "No, no, check on Evey."  And she wouldn't relent until I went to check on Evey and came back with a good report.  Then she fell back to sleep.

I suppose she was worried about Evelyn not being in the same class, not being there to help her.  She didn't seem distressed during the day, but at night her little fears came out. 

Evelyn moved up this week and they are now in the same class. I heard her tell Rowan, "I'll still be you're little sister, okay?"   

The other thing about school is boys.  The girls are so impossibly boy crazy already, especially Evelyn.  When I picked them up last week, she waved to this little boy named Daniel and then screamed at him, "I LUUUV OOOO!!"  The little boy stared at her blankly as she walked off.

I said, "Evelyn!  Did you tell that boy you love him?  She said, "Yes, he's sooooooo handsome."  Oh dear.  This same boy was invited to our Halloween party last year.  Evelyn hand delivered an invitation to him at school, insisted that he open it, and then said, "it's for my party," as she pointed to herself about two inches from his face.  I don't think he replied to her, but he came to the party with his mom (who is also pretty quiet).  The little boy was in a transformer costume complete with a mask.  At the end of the night I said, "well Evelyn it was a great party, all your friends came."  She said, "but not Daniel!"  "Evey he did come, he was in a costume."  "Ohhhh, I didn't see him!", she whined.  Such is life, eh?  

But Daniel is not her sole love interest.  There is also Tyler and Leo.  Both of which are also "soooo cute."  One day she asked if I would ask Leo's mommy if he could have a play date with her.  Rowan says she likes all these boys too, but she rarely ever mentions them.  Evelyn actually pointed out who Tyler was  to me one day when I picked her up.  They were both excited to get invited to his birthday party.

Oh, they are growing up so fast.  It seems like as soon as I figure out one stage they are onto the next.  Every day they are more aware of the world around them and who they are in it.  They are such a joy and so funny.