Mr. President

Evan as Washington and Owen as Lincoln.

Thanks to an amazing first-grade teacher, E and O are obsessed with U.S. presidents. They've asked us to buy them books about presidents, help them collect coins and dollars, and Grammi even got them costumes for Christmas.

President's Day was a HUGE deal at our house this year. The twins dressed up (as usual), and we watched all of the Lincoln specials on NATGEO. They sat, mesmerized, through all three of them.

I'm really glad their into all this presidential stuff. They're learning about good leadership, conflict resolution and how our country works.

Evan's pretty sure he wants to be president some day. Owen thinks that's cool, but he won't live in the White House with the rest of us because he'll be too busy playing in the NFL. But he will come and visit.

Good Teachers

How do you get a good teacher for your kids?

We had to stop by Mr. Houdyshell's house down the street on Halloween.

You pray and pray and pray and have a little bit of luck.

We have hit the jackpot all three years, first at Carver Early Childhood Academy (which we had to win a lottery to get accepted to). I truly believe all the teachers at Carver are amazing.

For first grade, after much decision, we moved the kids to City View Elementary in our neighborhood. Our first clue that we'd made the right choice was finding out our principal has twins!

He encouraged us to put E and O in the same class as long as they don't jeopardize each other's learning and performance, and because "it's easier on the parents if the kids have the same homework." What a great guy!

And then we met our teacher: Mr. Houdyshell. My first impression was, "a man who wants to teach first graders? This guy must be something special." When we met him, my theory proved correct. A tall, attractive 45-year-old man with an abundance of energy, a kind face and an infectious smile. When we walked in for Greet The Teacher night, he said, "These must be my twins!" He grabbed their little faces and said, "You two are the cutest things in the whole wide world!"

Yep, we were happy.

He lives just down the street, and he insisted we stop by his house on Halloween. He is great at taking pics with his phone, and if you give him permission, he'll put them on Facebook. He's into modern-day communication, and I really appreciate that!

One of the coolest things about him: he has instilled in our kids a huge love of presidential history. He is a huge JFK fan, devoting a corner of his classroom to the slain president. From what I can tell, he teaches more on presidential history than the average first-grade teacher, but Nate and I are thrilled. The twins are soaking it up and eating it up, asking us to take them to the bookstore for more books about presidents. They even asked for Washington and Lincoln costumes for Christmas! They're collecting coins to try to have as many representations of presidents as possible.

Having the twins in Mr. Houdyshell's class is an answered prayer. He's shaping their little lives in so many wonderful ways.

We can only pray that our good fortune continues to second grade and beyond.

Couch Crowders

I have to remember to cherish the moments...

We recently got new living room furniture, and we now have seating for about 10 people. We are a family of four.

The following is a nightly occurrence:

I come home from a long day of work and sometimes a grueling workout at the gym; help with dinner, laundry, etc. etc. By the time I finally take a shower and hear the couch calling my name, I look forward to picking a spot in our 10-person living room to relax for a few minutes and take a deep breath.

I choose my spot carefully - somewhere secluded.

But somehow, at the moment my butt hits the soft leather, a trigger is engaged; a signal is sent into the sky. Somehow, precisely 2.5 seconds after I drift into the inviting new cushions, I am flanked by both kids. Not one, but both. So closely, that I actually have difficulty expelling that deep, cleansing breath I so looked forward to.

It's at that moment that my entire being wants to scream, "Get away from me and let me have my space!"

Then I look down and see a little head on my right shoulder and a little hand on my left forearm and it hits me.

Some day -- probably soon -- the twins won't want to even talk to me, let alone sit close to me.

So, despite my longing for a quiet break from the busy day, I succumb to a three-way couch cuddle and remind myself to enjoy it while it lasts. Some day I'll look back fondly and wish to have it back.

My Valentine

Evan gave me the sweetest Valentine letter. He appreciates me for my laundry services! Sweet kid. I think I'll keep him.