"sissies"

That is what the girls call each other. It makes me melt. My favorite moment of the day is right before they go to bed after we have said our prayers, read our books and sung our songs, when they hug each other and say "night night sissy."

Lexi started calling Kenzie "sissy" first and has been doing so for about a month. All it took for Kenzie (who is slower with words anyway) to start referring to Lexi by this term was to be separated from her "sissy." The night before we left for California I took Lexi to the doctor and left Kenzie at home with Sara (we were gone for about 2 hours and I think that this might be the longest period that they have been separated - we probably need to work on that :)). Apparently, shortly after we left, Kenzie looked at Sara questioningly and asked, "shis-eee?" Since then this term is equally shared back and forth between sisters.

Lexi looks up to her older (by 2 minutes) sister and is constantly looking out for the best interests of her "sissy." If there is something good happening Lexi wants to share that with Kenzie. On the day that we went to the doctor and Kenzie stayed home, as we were leaving Lexi was given a sticker and a lollipop. She immediately looked at the nurse with pleading eyes and asked, "Sissy?" as she wanted to bring home an extra sticker and lollipop to share with her sister. She does this all the time now and in fact always does share the extra treat with her sister.

Kenzie too loves her sister, but she also views her "sissy" as an easy scapegoat. When you say to Kenzie, "It smells like someone has a poopy diaper. Kenzie, do you need your diaper changed?" She quickly replies by shaking her head and pointing to her sister's diaper saying, "Shis-eee. This. Shis-eee. This." when in fact she is the one with the dirty diaper. Kenzie is also more likely to "steal" treats/food/etc. from her sister. While in California there was an incident where we were all having dinner in the dining room. Lexi and I got up to get something from the kitchen and as soon as we did Kenzie reached over to her sister's plate and helped herself to several of her favorite selections. She quickly pushed the plate back when we re-entered the room. That sneaky "sissy"! :)At the same time, Kenzie is deeply concerned for her "sissy" and very interested in making her feel better when she is upset. These girls look out for each other.

For a while Lexi was happy to share everything with her "sissy" but she is recently starting to stand up for herself a bit more - unfortunately by biting, hitting or pulling "sissy's" hair. We are working on that... The good thing is that she is quick to say "sorry sissy" and give her sister a huge apologetic hug.

Watching Kenzie & Lexi interact is fascinating to me. I am sure that parents feel the same way when watching siblings of different ages interact, but what I find particularly amazing is how different my twin girls - who have never been apart for more than 2 hours & have been exposed to the exact same environment - are. Truly incredible!

I hope my girls always love their "sissy" and always look out for one another!