Swimmingly

I don't think too many people think my kids don't look like siblings. They both have brown hair (although Mam's is much lighter) and big, big blue eyes. I've been asked several times whether they're twins and people look a little surprised when I say they're a full two years apart. Smunch is, and always has been, on the small side. Mam isn't huge either, but she's pretty average. She's taller than average, but also weighs less than average.

Like many little sisters, Mam worships her brother. She absolutely loves him. And although Smunch clearly regards her as a pest, I think he's pretty crazy about his little sister too. I've also gotten a lot of comments about how well they play together. Of course, they're not *always* happy to see each other and they don't always play nice. I think they're probably buddies just because they're both a little weird and each one may be the only person in the world who understands the other just a little bit. So, they have an understanding of sorts.

All in all, that's where the similarity ends. Because although they like to play a lot of the same games and are interested in similar things, their personalities are not at all alike. Nowhere is this more evident than in the swim lessons they share with each other.

Smunch is a sweet, timid, sometimes anxious little boy with a mean, mean stutter that sometimes refuses to let go of his tongue. Aside from that, he's got a mercurial temper and when he's pissed, I usually just want to go lock him in a closet...for hours. At 5.5, he's still got a little bit of separation anxiety, although nothing like when he was 2. He still doesn't want to go anywhere by himself...even if it's just to walk over to someone three feet away and ask that person a question. Interestingly, questions are his specialty. A very large portion of his ever-so-dysfluent speech is made up of things starting in "Why" and "What." Everything must have a reason. I think he's good at hiding his fears. Swimming really puts him out there, obviously.

I know this doesn't look impressive. The impressive part of it was that I know he's terrified of jumping in the water, but he asked the teacher to let him do this. He wouldn't stand up to jump, but he jumped. Brave boy.

On the other hand (often literally), we have Mam. And, yes, she's just about as troublesome as she looks in this picture. I doubt there's a sweeter little girl in the whole wide world. But I doubt there's one more stubborn either. At 3.5, her stubborness has led her to be quite an accomplished liar as well.

Me: Are your pants dry?
Mam: Yes.
Me: Are you sure?
Mam: Yes!

Of course, they're absolutely soaked. She's also become a pro at manipulating any situation involving her brother such that she looks like the innocent victim. Apart from being oh-so-sweet and stubborn as a pig-headed mule, she's also completely fearless. This particular gem in her personality has led to more than a few stitches already, but it can also be a lot of fun to watch. She dives into most things much like she jumps into the swimming pool. No holds barred. No thoughts of self-preservation, but enjoying each millisecond to the fullest.