A-Flat Major

I have been singing that White Stripes song a lot. Enough that Patrick picked it up and I can hear him warbling "Oh I can tell that we are gonna be friendsssssss" over and over while he works on his Legos.

I told him that the song makes me think of him and Edward and Caroline and how much fun they will have together over the years. He seemed pleased by the idea and asked me later how I picture the song. I didn't understand what he meant.

"Do you imagine me in the middle with Caroline and Edward on either side and our arms all hooked together? And are we dancing?"

Um, yes?

"Me too! That is just what I imagined, too!"

My son, Busby Berkeley.

Of course, my son, the six year old, made a few changes to the lyrics with each iteration he sang*; the most recent version he presented to Caroline went something like, oh I can tell that we will not be friends and your eyeballs will explode and there will be blood all over the carpet and you will need a decillion stitches. She just laughed. It is safe to say that the babies think Patrick is absolutely fascinating.

Here he is telling them the story of his other brother and sister. The ones who were hit by a meteor. "It's true," he's saying. "Yep. Very sad, I know. But it happens."

Edward was amused.

I keep struggling to find a photo that does justice to Edward's delicate beauty. He always winds up looking either deceptively pale or preternaturally worried or both - Casper the Ghosts meets Woody Allen. But in truth he has a rose-leaf complexion that the Gunnar Sisters themselves would envy and he smiles almost constantly.

This one isn't too bad.

He isn't smiling in it but the photo does highlight his obsession with his own feet and the fact that Caroline keeps pummeling him. Note that although her attention has been drawn by something on the other side of the room she maintains her viselike grip on his onesie. She's a menace.

Patrick calls her Caroliney. Rhymes with briny but more specifically rhymes with whiny in keeping with the song he made up that goes "Whiny whiny Caroliney/ she is strong and she is tiny."

Steve tells me that we are about to be walloped by a rainstorm and will most likely losing our internet connection so I'll post this before that happens. Besides, we have the next season of Psyche rented per your Netflixamendations and are enjoying it in a gentle way. It's like an homage to the great hour-long silly mystery shows of my childhood: Remington Steele. Hart to Hart. Matlock. And could that theme song be any catchier? No.

PS LEMON! Yes! The scallops needed lemon, of course. And the smoky paprika sounds good. Bacon. Basil. Et cetera.

* Patrick just walked by singing yet another original composition. This one goes, "We all speak English but they only speak cow." I have absolutely no idea what that is about.

We are a musical family and - clearly - gifted lyricists.

Comments

[Peggy]

What great pictures! I can't believe how big the babies are getting.

And great songs and stories by Patrick:)

[moo]

You make some really beautiful babies. And I love how Caroline has to keep Edward in her grasp at all times ... clearly, SHE will be the one in charge later in life (Patrick, take note).

Also, my husband makes up songs with lyrics like that ALL THE TIME. It's one of the reasons I love him. He's so silly.

[Beth]

I've never really thought much about having twins but that last photo is a revelation. Four tiny hands and four tiny feet and FOUR chubby little legs?! All on one blanket? Jealous.

[dee]

You crack me up as always. Caspar the Ghost meets Woody Allen. Hilarious.

Gorgeous, gorgeous kids.

[tripleblessings]

I love Patrick's stories and songs! Sounds like he has a great appreciation of the absurd, and is very good at rhyming too.
Do you have any of the book+music recordings of Sandra Boynton? You would probably love Philadelphia Chickens, with silly songs in the style of Broadway show tunes, or Blue Moo with 50s style doo-wop and early rock songs. There are many cute drawings of animal characters, and many silly jokes, and the music is very catchy and listen-able. Dog Train is another excellent one.
Try your public library?

[Alex]

I've said it before, but wow, you have beautiful children. I love Edward's thoughtful expression (and Caroline's smile, not to mention the firm grasp on the onesie).

[Maura]

Ohmygoodness! You're right, the prior pictures never really did capture his amazing rosy complexion. He is the most gorgeous, smiley baby I have EVER! seen. Caroline is a beauty, and, as the oldest sibling of four, I admire her ability to wrangle her brother at such a young age. She is learning young. Good for her. After all, with Patrick's superior intellect (multiplication? at five?), she'll have her work cut out for her. Look at me. Gushing. But they are such dears.

[JuliaKB]

All the pictures are great.
So it could be the company they keep (cause we kinda do that too) or it could be that all six year olds like to make up song lyrics. And I am really pretty sure that they all find themselves hilarious. But, truth be told, I kinda do too...

[Carla Hinkle]

I love. LOVE. those songs and stories of Patrick's. Absolutely hilarious.

The babies are just so cute!

[Evy]

I won't lie to you, Julia: I saw that first picture and I thought, WOW! FLYING BABIES!

[Kathleen]

Edward is absolutely beautiful.

I am so glad that the three friends have found each other and that they get to have you as their mom.

[Betty M]

Edward is absolutely adorable. The others too obviously.

[jody]

Oh good gravy, he is gorgeous! "Delicate beauty" describes his little face perfectly.

I am so pleased to come here and see such adorable happiness.

Gorgeous family.

[Ann]

Love the pics! You guys are so much fun to read about, I am THRILLED you're posting more frequently. My favorite song? The whiny Caroliney song. "Strong but tiny"- that'll be one to tell her about when she's bigger.

I have 11 month old boy/girl twins, and every time I red your blog, I wonder how you do it all, especially with a six year old. Usually I think about how much harder that would be, but then you post things like this, and I think it sounds awfully fun.

[barbara]

You're spoiling us with this frequent posting. Thanks :)

[stephanie]

What sweet babes you have. my son also is a whitie. Takes after is casper like Mama, poor kid. Your six year old is one funny guy!

[Pam L]

Kids are quite entertaining aren't they?

I told my 15 yr old the Patrick 8 X 18= 12 X 12 story the other day. He has been lamenting that he is the ONLY kid who has to do math over summer break. My DH is a math whiz/nut, who does it for fun, and doesn't want Paul to lose his math edge over the summer. He held a B in his advanced math class, but just barely at the end of the year when he tanked his final-badly. So, a little brushing up is in order and he complains...so when I told him Patrick , at six, had to know why those two multiplication were equal my son was amazed. Truly amazed.

[winecat]

What wonderful pictures. It is indeed sad that Patrick lost his other brother and sister to a meteor but he seems to have Edward and Caroline's rapt attention.

Love the Caroline song "strong but tiny".

[Flicka]

Julia! This post has my hysterical! Oh, you guys are a funny family. I love reading your blog.

[victoria]

That photo of Edward made me gasp aloud. he really is beautiful.

[Sandra]

Twins are soooo amazing. Mine are now 7 and some (I reiterate "some") of my sanity has returned. Time truly makes it easier. You have beautiful babies!!

[Sandra]

Twins are soooo amazing. Mine are now 7 and some (I reiterate "some") of my sanity has returned. Time truly makes it easier. You have beautiful babies!!

[Nicole]

Gorgeous!! Edward looks like a porcelain doll in that pic. Those cheeks, those eyes, those lovely lips. Wonderful!

[Alice]

Wow. All I can say is, those are two cutest babies I've seen in a long time. And Patrick too. Keep those lyrics coming, kid!

[Clover]

Too funny! Can I tell you how relieved I am to hear that Patrick has mixed emotions about the twins? When my twins were born (a YEAR ago, if you can believe that), he referred to them as "The Intruders." I thought things were better until recently, when he gave me an ultimatum that the only way to make him happy was to get rid of the twins. Oy. But he does play with them and like to make them laugh and stuff, so I guess there are good days also.

[melissa]

that is such a good rhyme. your babies keep on getting cuter!

[peanutsmama]

delurking to say I love that Patrick and those lyrics. I too, however at age 35, love to make up songs. My current fav I sing to my 3 month old during costume changes, goes- naked baby got no clothes on, Naked baby. She smiles and indulges her mommy every time. She would adore Patrick!

[elfini (Dawn)]

I've been singing "Whiny whiny Caroliney/ she is strong and she is tiny." for the last five minutes.

Just thought I'd let you know.