It's a Twin Thing

About a year ago I wrote a blog post about the "Florida Twin Project," a study that my twins are participating in. This summer I received another research packet from Florida State University asking me if I would like to continue to participate in the study. Because I am very interested in the mystery that is twins, I agreed to have my girls continue to participate.

The main purpose of the study is to find out how much genetics vs. environment influence a child's ability to read. So far the study has found that various types of reading skills are influenced by a common set of genes. It has also found that beyond genetic factors, kids in high quality classrooms were able to reach their potential much more easily than those who were not in high quality classrooms. Not much of a mystery there. The need for good teachers and the need for schools that are committed to a high quality of education is as important as ever.

In addition to the information about the study, the newsletter also listed a few "Twin Fun Facts." I thought I would share them with you. I find them interesting, maybe you will too.

Twin Fun Facts-

• Identical twins share the same DNA, but will have their own fingerprints.
  
• China has the lowest rate of twinning in the world, about 1/300 births.
  
• Once you have had one set of fraternal twins you are 3 to 4 times more likely to have another set. (Yikes, that's why our twins were my last pregnancy!)
  
• Gemellology is the study of twins and the phenomenon of twinning.
  
• The average time between the delivery of the first and second twin is 17 minutes. (Mine were born 1 minute apart...thanks Doc!)
  
• The Florida State Twin Registry includes over 2,600 pairs of twins and other multiples, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Wordless Wednesday

Thrilled to be driving at the Magic Kingdom Speedway!
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First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school for my 3 kids. This year is a year of big changes for our family. My oldest is no longer an elementary school student, as of yesterday he is officially a middle school student.
This year we have two schools to keep up with. This year we get to learn how middle school works, what is required of the kids, who all of the new teachers are, who the principal is, how to find our way around the campus, and most importantly how to orchestrate two different schedules. Gone are the days of dropping all 3 kids off at one place, going to one school for "Meet Your Teacher," Open-House, and all of numerous events that happen throughout the school year. This year we will be running back and forth between two schools, in fact the next time that our kids will all be in the same school again, my oldest will be a senior in high school and my twins will be freshmen. OUCH!!! So, yesterday it started. First up was the girls. We headed out the door for our not-so-short walk to school. The girls were really excited. They know most of the kids in their class, they meet their new teacher last week, they were loaded down with all of their new supplies, and they had on new outfits. They could not wait to start a new school year!

After dropping the girls off, I walked back home to get my oldest ready for his first day. He had been sick all weekend, so whether or not he was going to school on the first day was still up in the air. When I arrived back home I was very surprised to find him dressed and ready to go. I was really proud of him for making the decision to go to school.
Normally, he would have walked to school, and on the first day I was going to walk part of the way with him...for moral support, of course. Because he wasn't feeling good, I decided to drive him and brave a whole new "car rider circle." I didn't know what to expect, but was very happy to find a well organized, smooth running car rider circle.
As I pulled the car to a stop, I gave him a few last words of encouragement, made sure he knew where he was going, and told him to have a great day. Dropping him off at middle school was almost a difficult as dropping him off on his first day of Kindergarten.
In the end, all three kids had great first days. We made it through the first day of middle school and 2nd grade. Only 179 more days to go!

Thursday Thought

"Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire."

~William Butler Yeats

Wordless Wednesday

Dear Beach, I miss you already!

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Mini-Golf is Fun...Isn't It?

Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end for my kids. In an effort to end the summer on a good note and have a little fun, last Friday I took the kids to play mini-golf at the Fantasia Gardens mini-golf course at Walt Disney World.
The day started off pretty good. Everyone was excited to go, although we were a little apprehensive because the weather was looking a little sketchy.

Caley teed off on the first hole and we were on our way. At this point everyone was having a good time, even if CJ was being ultra competitive with his sisters.

By the time we got to the 4th hole the weather took a turn for the worse. You can't tell by looking at this picture, but at this point we were standing under a tree waiting out a downpour. CJ wanted to keep playing and was mad that I made him stand under a tree out of the rain. Luckily, there wasn't any lightening...YET!

Once the rain lightened up we were back on our way. On the 8th hole, all 4 of us got holes-in-one. We were all very excited...well 3 of us were excited. Caitlyn, as you can see by the look on her face, was not excited because she was worried about the weather.

The 10th hole is where the real excitement came. Caitlyn and CJ had just finished the hole (both getting 2's) Caley and I were taking our 3rd stroke when...BANG!!! A huge lightening bolt hit very close to where we were. The Disney cast members working at the golf course announced over the PA system that the course would be closed until the storm had passed. We headed to the arcade to take cover for a few minutes and wait out the weather.

Of course, in typical Central Florida weather fashion, not a single raindrop fell and there were no more lightening strikes. So, back out to the 10th hole we headed.

This time we were able to finish the course, with only a few more minor melt downs. Caley and CJ had a good time. Caitlyn on the other hand got very upset because I would not let her walk through the water spouts that were shooting out of the ground on the 16th hole. Normally I would have let her junp in and get soaked if she wanted to. However, on this particular day she choose to wear her brand new sneakers(the ones that we just bought to start the new school year), so I said "absolutely not!"

Needless to say, Caitlyn did not end the golf course on a happy note. While CJ and Caley laughed and played around, she pouted. I think she was also hot and hungry, which did not help her mood any.

So, we headed over to the McDonald's on Disney property. After everyone ate, all was right with the world again. Caley took this picture as we were walking out of Mickey D's. As you can see the sky was still looking a bit stormy. All-in-all we had a good time, give or take a few minor melt downs.

Photo of the Week

Once again, I am way behind on blogging. We recently spent a week at the beach, I have tons of pictures to share. This week I am going to work on getting those posted. I think I can commit to posting a few each day.

Today Mama Kat is hosting a "Picture of the Week Link Up." That sounds like a great place for me to start. So, here is the first of many pictures of our time at the beach.

My two beach bumettes playing in the sand. They loved the beach and could not get enough of playing in the sand and the waves.

To see more "Pictures of the Week" go to Mama's Losin' It!.