Sisters {October 2018}

Another month has flown by in our house and this month’s photos are nothing special on the surface, I suppose. I snapped them one Saturday when we went to the park on my iPhone. Next to our local playground is a sports court and it has raised seats cut into the fencing. Lottie loves getting up there (the seat is about five feet high, so I think she thinks it’s a bit daring). And Frankie decided she would like to get up there too. The two sisters were sitting, swinging their legs and giggling. The photos just capture their little relationship so well. Always together, often doing the same thing, and usually laughing.

Dottie

Frankie has started saying Lottie’s name, but she pronounces it as Dottie. All the way to preschool pick up, she says ‘Dottie, coming’. So cute.

Double trouble

Recently, if one of these sisters finds something cheeky or naughty to do, the other will inevitably join in. While I was washing up recently, Frankie decided to take all of the soil out of our planters in the back garden. Big job to do on your own, but it seems you can always count on your big sister to help cover the decking in compost. Another favourite is climbing onto the sofa to stand on the windowsill and look out at the garden. Better view when shared between sisters, apparently.

Your friends are my friends

Frankie has suddenly decided that she doesn’t want to be the baby any more. She now refuses to get back into the buggy after we’ve picked Lottie up, insisting on walking with the big kids. It’s so sweet to see her trundling along behind them. It’s also lovely that none of the bigger children mind at all, even Lottie, and they have all embraced her as part of their gang.

Story time

Until recently, Gary would put Lottie to bed after the girls had had a bath and got into their PJs, and I would take Frankie. But last week, they decided that they wanted story time together, so I’ve been made totally redundant until the time comes for tucking them in. They sit together on the beanbag couch in Lottie’s room with their daddy and it is one of the highlights of my day to hear them giggling and chatting about the stories.

Taking turns

We’re desperately trying to help Frankie understand the concept of turn taking at the moment. Lottie is one to stand back and wait and often will miss her turn as she’s too polite to argue. Whereas the younger of the two sisters just doesn’t understand why anyone else would need a turn. Tantrums aplenty happen when it’s Lottie’s turn, but we’ll get there I’m sure.

Hair

On a less positive note, Frankie has taken to pulling Lottie’s hair recently. She’ll literally pull it out by the roots and no amount of shouting, talking or explaining seem to be stopping her thinking it’s hilarious. It makes me so sad for Lottie as it clearly really hurts and makes her cry. Any tips for sorting out this little phase would be greatly appreciated if anyone has any experience.