Jacob and Claire

Kate and Liam have had lots of pictures recently in the blog, so I wanted this blog post to be completely about Jacob and Claire (a.k.a. the "kiddos").

First, Jacob and Claire still have a strong, special relationship that comes with living together for basically every day of their 6 years.  They had their last day of Kindergarten this past week (no, they weren't wearing jackets, as pictured below... even though it does take a while to warm up in Portland).  I consider this year to be a success - they learned a few things in school, love learning, and look forward to going to 1st grade in a brand new elementary school!

We originally had wanted to put them in separate classes, mainly because Jacob had developed such a competitive spirit when it came to academics the year prior (while not developing the attention span for learning at the same rate!).  However, since there was only 1 afternoon class, they ended up in the class, which ended up going well. They sit on the bus together on the way to school, but when they arrive in school, they play with different friends and do different things until they get back on the bus and sit next to each other again.  They get home and resume whatever game they started.

Claire LOVES doing homework.  While she wouldn't really get homework, sometimes they would come home with a worksheet.  As soon as she would come home from school, she would start her worksheet.  She would do all the writing and make sure to color the pictures.  Jacob, one time, commented that he knew all the answers to his  worksheet because he'd heard Claire doing her worksheet earlier... ha!  Near the end of school, Dani commented that she would need to get workbooks for the kids for the summer.  Claire promptly went back to her pre-Kindergarten workbook, realized that she'd left a few pages incomplete, and finished them (side note: she can put about 85 J's on 1 workbook page line!).  Once Dani got the new workbooks, Claire started hers instantly.  Claire has become a great reader and will spend lots of time reading books. 

Jacob is a loving, caring little boy.  He wears his heart on his sleeve.  He also loves his daddy - anything I am doing, he wants to be doing also, whether it's playing or watching sports, mowing the lawn, going on errands, etc.  For example, I invite him to come do my stake clerk calling, and he jumps at the opportunity, then talks the entire time we're together.  I treasure this time with him.  Jacob also has a very sensitive spirit.  One time, after he'd been looking for a lost toy (which I had briefly looked for), he reported to me that he'd prayed, and Heavenly Father told him to ask me.  Within seconds, I spotted it from where I was seated.  He often tells me that he feels the spirit, and he remembers lots of details of scripture stories we've read.

 I love the way Jacob and Claire operate as a team.  Sometimes, I can't imagine having to entertain Jacob all day long like Claire does, and other times I can't imagine having to put up with Claire's stubbornness like Jacob does.  They just compliment one another so well.  They'll do things for each other to make them have a better day.  For example, if one child is running errands and gets a sticker from a checkout register at a store, they'll always ask for a second for their sibling.  I love that!  I also love how excited they get for one another - whether it's losing a tooth, or participating in a dance recital, they are very excited for what's going on in the other's life.

Jacob and Claire LOVE their younger twin brother and sister.  I don't think I realized how much I would enjoy watching those relationships develop.  Kate and Liam think their brother and sister are the funniest people ever (even if Claire sometimes lacks a gentle touch!), and Jacob and Claire love playing with the babies and making them laugh.  They are good helpers with the babies.

I hope that in another 6 years they will have an even stronger relationship, and that they will show Kate and Liam what it means to have their twin be their best friend