Worn To a Frazzle

Clara and Margaret are now 23 months and two days old. Already they've learned the fine art of negotiation and the usefulness of domination. If Margaret has a toy Clara wants, she will offer Margaret another toy and then snatch away the desired object if Margaret seems the least bit interested. If not, Clara will sometimes bite Margaret and swipe the toy, which lands Clara in the crib for a time-out. I hate to think of Clara coming home from pre-school with a note that says, "Your child bit So-and-So today," or Margaret with one that says, "Your child was bitten today." I don't want Clara to be a biter.
Everything they do teaches them something. About the consistency of objects: If they drop a ball, it will bounce, but will it bounce every time? the only way to find out is to drop it. Again and again and again. Same thing with a light switch, a glass of water, a book, or a couch. They've taken to crawling up on the couch...it's okay when I'm there, but not by themselves.
Gene went to the movies last night, so I was handling both babies by myself. I gave them a bath, which is tricky with two toddlers. But I hauled Margaret out, dried her and her feet and then let her indulge in her favorite activity--running around the house naked. She skedaddles around, that's the only word for it. And usually, she's screaming with delight. I diapered Clara and then set her down from the changing table. She ran around chasing Margaret, screaming as well. It's just hilarious to me to see these two little girls running around like they're really getting away with something cool. Maybe they are.
I was singing to them last night while they were going to sleep. I had sung "Hush, Little Baby," about five times and then switched to "All the Pretty Little Horses." Clara piped up, "No, no, Mama," and kept saying "No, no," as I went through my standard night-night songs. She didn't stop protesting until i came back to "Hush, Little Baby." Now quite two, she's so opinionated.
We're going to a state park late this afternoon when it cools off a little. There's a lake with a sandy beach, so we're loading up our shovels and buckets and planning to splash around in the water. Gene and Stu will cook out. It has been too hot here to even venture outside, and the girls miss being outdoors. I'm going to take an umbrella so no one gets sunburned. I swan, going anywhere with them is like moving the Army of the Potomac, we have to pack so much stuff.