Talents and Skills

With twins it is very easy to - and pretty much impossible to avoid - comparing their developmental skills. From an early age, we could discern differences in their abilities. As they have developed, these differences have become both endearing and potential problems.

Genna learned early on how a door knob works. She can both close and open doors. Kate has perfected the door closing skill, but still can't open doors. To this day, all Genna has to do is lure Kate into a bedroom, and then shut the door behind her as she leaves. This happened yesterday. I saw Genna running down the hallway, away from her bedroom. Kate's cries followed her. Kate had been trapped in her own room.

On the other hand, Kate has excelled at singing and being able to memorize lyrics and melodies. She can carry a tune very well, sings on pitch (as well as a two-and-a-half-year-old can, at least) and picks up the lyrics amazingly fast. She is always singing - though she usually shouts the words. Genna also likes to sing, but she has so far proven herself to be a tone-deaf baritone (but cute, mind you!). We had pretty much decided that Kate was the musical genius, and that Genna would have her talents elsewhere.

But then we put them to bed the other night.

We were singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to them. I was holding Genna and Annie was holding Julia - Kate was already in her crib and singing with us. Halfway through the song, we realized that Genna was shaking her doll - that has a bell inside - to the tune perfectly! True, 'Twinkle' (as they call the song) isn't a rhythmically challenging song, but we were nevertheless impressed. Both our daughters are musical geniuses! One with vocals and one with percussion!

I am already working on creating a family band, Partridge or Van Trappe style. Annie can sing, play the piano, guitar, and ukelele (not all at once). Kate can sing back up, and Genna can be on drums and tambourine. Julia, so far, is only good at cooing and squealing, but we can make that work. I'm working on a new River Dance routine that will make Michael Flatley weep.