I'm never sending them to school.

Why? Because what in the world could they learn at school that they aren't learning at home??? And, if they're at school, how will I know every little detail to document for posterity??? 

I love being home with the girls. Do I lose my patience? Yes. Do I sometimes feel like I never have a minute to myself? Yes. Do I sometimes calmly guide them to their bedroom and close the door to avoid a clash-of-the-titans moment? Yes. In fact, just this morning, they each spent some time in separate rooms as a result of their rudeness while I was on the phone with my brother. Why does the phone do that to children????

However, I would take all of the above in order to be present for moments like those that I'm about to share. And, from the things that they say and do, I feel so confident that their current teachers, with names like "Mom', "Dad", "Gran", "Grammy", "Gramps", and "Grandpa", are providing an excellent early childhood education.

• Elise: While explaining the concept of triplets, Elise says "So, if a momma have 3 babies in her tummy and 2 of her babies die, she will only have 1 baby left". (Please excuse the morbidity - I have no idea where that came from - but the emerging math skills were worth noting)
• Abby: Upon entering their room, I found this scene pictured below. I was informed that they were taking a road trip to Bubbe's and, when I came back later to make the bed, I lifted the far right pillow and discovered two pairs of shoes underneath. I said "Why are there shoes on your bed?" to which Abby replied in a very matter-of-fact way: "That our trunk!" (Ummm... hello dramatic play and imagination!)

• And, in the area of social interactions, I have several:
• Elise: Her new line, which was first rather successfully used with Grammy and Gramps and has continued to be implemented with Gran and others: "Please stay, because I love you so much." 
• Abby: "Elise, I so sorry you had to get a shot." (We're currently recuperating from our first bout with croup and had to take Elise in because I just don't handle that my-child-seems-to-be-struggling-to-breathe concept well)
• Elise: "Abby, will you be my best friend?" (and bestest buds they are)
• This morning, John and Abby went to The Merc, while Elise and I stayed home sick. This delightful conversation took place during lunch. I LOVE Elise's questions - and if you could see her face, you would know that she is asking each question in order to fully create a mental image so that she understands the whole scenario:
• Abby: "I saw a man with a white doggy."
• Elise: "Oh. Are you pet him?" (they both still substitute "are" for "did" and "is" for "do"... funny in an odd kind of way, I know)
• Abby: "Yeah. He was a friendly doggy."
• Elise: "Oh. Did he have a red leash or a blue leash?"
• Abby: "Well, I not see his leash."
• Elise: "Oh. Are you ask the man what color leash he have?"
• Abby: "No, I not ask."
• Elise: "Oh. They have groceries?"
• Abby: "No, just walking to the car."
• Elise: "Oh. I need to see this man with his white doggy."
• And, just for fun, at lunch last weekend Abby responded to my homemade mac-n-cheese with: "I not really a fan of noodles." 

I, however, am quite the fan of you two, Abby Rose and Elise Autumn. Maybe your number one fan.