I Can't Tell My Own Identical Twins Apart

No, computer, that's Owen making his signature fart noise face. 

When I was pregnant with the boys, I remember fantasying about having twins on a car ride with Rob. At the time, I hadn't even gone to the doctor yet, but it was always something I thought about in the early weeks of pregnancy. I told Rob identical twins were so weird, like why does it even happen? And if I were to ever have twins, I would want them to be fraternal. I told him I would be the worst person ever to have identical twins because I have the hardest time with faces. I often question whether I have a slight case of facial amnesia. You know that phrase: I can't remember a name, but I'll remember a face? I can't remember either. 

I feared if I had identical twins, I wouldn't be able to recognize my own kids. Instead of listening to what they were saying, I would be trying to figure out who I was talking to the whole time. When they boys came, of course, I recognized the differences in them immediately. Owen's ears looked slightly different. Oscar's head was rounder. It was a huge relief.

Problem is, while I could recognize them as babies, now I look back at pictures and can't tell who's who. I feel awful. With a few exceptions, they all look like Oscar to me. Round head after round head after perfectly round Charlie Brown head. I never labeled the photos because it was so obvious at the time. Big mistake.

I'm banking on the fact that they get a kick out tricking people of their identity. I hope they find it just a humorous when I explain to them that their own mom doesn't have the foggiest who they are in baby pictures. I suspect they were splitting into two at that very moment I said the fateful words "identical twins are weird." Just in spite of me. Those boys are always finding ways to drive me crazy. Love them anyway. 

Here's my collection of pictures of Oscar and Owen. I mean Owen and Oscar. Either way, they are both somewhat represented in these pictures. 

These pictures are too good to be bothered with the details of identity.

Also the last and only time I dressed them the same. 

Not me. A model mom and dad for a catalog shoot.
I wonder if model mommy and daddy label their fake twins pictures for future reference? Probably.

Who's going to claim those lashes? Beats me.

I made this picture as a challenge for relatives and friends. I have to dig up the results in an old email because I stumped myself.

A million mystery pictures after the jump . . .

Father and Son Clones

Last night at the dinner table Owen said, "Hey dad, you're in sales right?"

Rob, "Yeah."

Owen, "Well, to convince someone to do something, you have to "dig deep". That way they will want to do buy what you're selling."

I think Owen's doing a unit on persuasive essays at school and was fascinated by the idea. The two of them went on and on about trying to get people to buy a product. I wasn't surprised.

Ever since Owen was about 2, I've noticed he is the clone of my husband. Which is weird because Owen actually has the same DNA as his brother. I always tell Rob our marriage was solidified the day Owen was born. Anytime I'm with Owen, it's like spending time with Rob. Even if we got a divorce, I would still be stuck with him one way or another. I might as well stick it out an entire lifetime. It's not so bad, both of them make me laugh like no one else. That alone is worth any trouble they cause me. If I'm totally bummed about something, I can count on them to get me to smile. It works like magic.

With Owen, all I have to do is ask him to make me a silly face. It usually takes a few tries, but he always gets a giggle out of me. With Rob, all I have to do is ask him to tell me a story from his childhood. Or better yet, his adult life. Either way, my life is in good shape with those two around.

Owen's trying to be funny. And it's working. 

Keep reading to see more pictures of Owen. Plus an explanation for last week's posts . . .

Part Five: Owen's Gumption at The Children's Museum of The Arts

Ella's blue robots, Oscar's white horses, and Owen's creature. 

As soon as we enter Children's Museum of the Arts, we put our names on the Clay Bar sign-up sheet. It's my kids favorite thing to do in the whole world. Last week as class started, Owen climbed on the stool and proclaimed, "I'm an artist," and confidently made something mysterious and wonderful. Oscar and Ella, on the other hand, diligently followed all of the teacher's instructions. Their sculptures were really cute. I was impressed that they could do everything the artist suggested.  When the thirty minutes were up, each kid got to bring home two sculptures, one of theirs and the other is the instructor's example. Owen only wanted his own creation.

I have to admit, I'm jealous of Owen. I relate so much to Ella and Oscar when it comes to instructions, rules and boundaries.  I can't wait to see where all this independence takes him. See other examples of Owen doing his own thang at church, at home, on the streets, and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. I'm looking forward to adding to this series.   

Owen's creation from the front.

And the back.

More eyeballs please.

Here's another post I did about the Children's Museum of the Arts. We love it there! 

Also, Elizabeth Street is hosting this fabulous giveaway: A $500 shopping spree to Stella McCartney Kids. Enter here! 

Birthday Present Success: Kids Regifting. They start so young these days.

Last Saturday we attended Toby's Birthday party. My kids were stoked to get something for him. Ella decided to draw him a picture and write a story. Oscar got him balloons. And then Owen. He was set on giving his dear friend Toby his old broken Mater Truck. The batteries are dead, the remote control is missing, and it's the size of most NYC kid's bedrooms.

On our way out our door I said, "It's rude to give your friend an old used toy for their birthday. Let's get him something else. Please?" Owen didn't say a word, just looked at me with his wide confident eyes and nodded his head in disagreement. As we were waiting for the elevator, Owen noticed a half role of Christmas wrapping paper in the recycling bin. Our neighbor must have been doing some spring cleaning. He walked over to pick it up and said, "Great! All we need is tape." Great.

We walked to the store and bought a few helium balloons and a roll of tape. Owen proudly wrapped his truck in the middle of the store, instructing me where to put the tape. When we got to the party, he looked at me seriously and whispered without moving his lips, "Don't, mom. Don't tell anyone that this used to be my toy. He's going to like it. I know it."

And sure enough, Toby didn't question the gift and happily played with Mater in the grass. While Owen watched, he came up to me and said, "Seeeeee. Told you he was going to love it." He was right. It was actually kind of sweet. Owen used to love this truck when he was around Toby's age. He even brought it out to display during this photoshoot. It's one of my favorite pictures of Owen (below). I'm happy to see the truck passed on to a new dude.

Yet, despite the sweetness of it all, I gave Toby's mom the option to throw the truck out on the way home from the party. I hope she took me up on my offer. There's nothing worse than being stuck with a giant broken toy, even if it is a sheet of Christmas paper away from being the best regift ever.

Remembering the Students of Sandy Hook Elementary School

I can't stop thinking about the parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School, especially the ones who dropped their kids off and said goodbye for the last time. For the most part, school mornings aren't easy or smooth. It's stressful to serve breakfast and find matching socks and get everyone out the door. Everything feels rushed. By this time of the school year, parents have learned the absolute last minute they can leave the house before they are late. They learn exactly what to serve for breakfast, sometimes resorting to a plastic baggie of cheerios to eat along the way. It's no longer new and memorable, like it was the first day of school. By now, the morning rush might even seem routine. 

But today, this morning turned out to be anything but routine for the parents of Sandy Hook who lost a child to a reckless gunman. They will never forget the boring details of their last moments with their kids. Now these details seem more precious than ever. My thoughts and love go out to the families dealing with so much loss right now. I'm searching for ways to help. To honor the kids who won't have a chance to experience a crazy school day morning again, I'm including the mundane details of our Friday morning . . . 

My Role as a Mother: Making it All Better

i look pissed in the middle shot, but i promise i'm not :) haha

Still, almost five years later, and my job continues to revolve around comforting my boys. Owen looks so fragile here. I love how he's holding me so tight.  I don't know what made my friend Steuart snap these photos, but I'm glad she did. She captured a moment between me and Owen that I find so enduring. He was crying because he got hit in the eye by some plastic toy at the playground, and I was trying my best to make it all better.

When Owen cries after he gets hurt, I've learned to first sooth him by rubbing and tickling his back. And finally making him laugh usually brings him out of it.  Do you find that your kids have their own unique soothing method? It's so great to finally figure it out, although it doesn't always work.

The last picture I'm making fun of the guy standing next to us that was dressed in a crazy plaid shirt and plaid hat just to distract Owen and make him laugh. It wasn't working. Apparently fashion humor is lost on 4-year-olds.  Eventually Owen felt better despite my efforts to make him laugh and ran on his way.

Love that boy.  

Easter Weekend 2013: Obligatory Family Picture

As soon as I saw this picture I thought:

1. omg I look just look like my dad.

2. I love my family. I really do. But this could be the worst worst family picture ever.

3. I need bangs. Oscar style. He's always had great hair. 

4.  Sunglasses. asap.
After the jump, some of the best of my Instagrams so far this year.
Follow me @sharonbeesley for shits and giggles.

NYC School Field Trips: This is How We Do It

that's one of Owen's teacher holding the giant blue backpack. it's filled with lunches. his other teacher is the fuzzy face bottom right. ha love them! 

Instead of waiting around for a yellow bus to take students on field trips, many NYC public school children either walk or ride the subway to check out the city. What's more, Oscar and Owen's school goes on field trips about once a week. It's one of my favorite things about their school and a major reason why I'm sending Ella there next year. I joined Owen's class as they made their way to the Urban Farm in Battery Park a few weeks ago. I'm still recovering from it. It's no easy task taking 25+ kindergartners across Broadway (6 lanes), down multiply flights of stairs and into a subway. But these city kids do it with ease. God bless their teachers! 

Rock . . . Paper . . .

Scissors, and Shoot! #1 Subway Game. 

Introducing David Silver during his kindergarten years. 

Keep reading to see pictures of the Urban Farm . . .

Keith Pitts 2013 Photo Shoot: A Typical Day in the Upper West Side

In between our trips to visit family in Florida and California, Keith Pitts offered to do a photo shoot with us in NYC. I couldn't say no, especially after receiving these amazing photos last year. I love how Keith takes pictures of spontaneous moments that might not fit the mold of a typical family photo shoot. Oscar wants to place a loaf of bread on his head? Great idea. Owen wants to go shirtless. Sure, why not? Ella decides to run ahead of the gang? Go for it. It's in those moments that Keith captures our family perfectly.

The first time I worked with Keith, I was shocked at his unstaged approach, especially when he asked my kids about their favorite toys. I was mortified when Owen brought out his Tow Mater truck and not his handmade wooden cars. I'll never forget the "It's totally cool" shrug Keith gave me as he took pictures of Owen playing with it. The photo ended up being one of my favorites.

This time around, I took comfort knowing we could be ourselves and our evening in Central Park would unfold naturally. My plan for the shoot was simple: Meet Keith on our street corner, head over to our bodega for snacks, and then walk to Central Park to play. I wanted Keith to capture a typical Upper West Side day for us. He nailed it. The images feel unfussy mixed with a little bit of humor and love.

If you would like to work with Keith Pitts, I obviously highly recommend him. He's based out of Arizona, but loves to travel. He makes frequent stops in San Francisco, New York and Paris. Book him for everything including weddings, engagement, family, pets, newborn, and children's photography. Click here to view more work from his portfolio.

Keep reading to see our NYC night from start to end  . . .

Proud Moment

You might have noticed that Owen does his own thing most of the time. It's not to be a brat (although sometimes it seems that way), he just has his own ideas on life. Here here and here are some examples. I'm proud of his gumption.

A few months ago, my kids were practicing for a singing performance with the other children at church. They practiced for weeks and weeks. On the morning of the performance, Owen came up to me and said, "I am not going on the stage today." I ignored him as I dressed him up in a suit and tie. He's always making some sort of proclamation like that for shock value. As I was dressing Oscar, he repeated the same thing, "Mom, I am not going to sing on the stage today." Ok, ok. Whatever, I thought. As soon as he sees everyone going on the stage, he'll join the crowd. No sense in arguing over something that hasn't happened yet.

But sure enough, even when all the kids starting to walk up to the stage, Owen remained calmly in his seat, and repeated confidently,"No, I'm not going up." It wasn't in that whiny tone that kids can sometimes get. It was just a fact. I applauded his individuality. Even as an adult, I find it hard to say no to things I don't want to do. It's so much easier just to go with the crowd and not make a stir. But not to Owen. It's effortless for him. I hope he always continues to be like that. It's inspiring and fascinating. I'm curious to see where it takes him.

A month ago, the same group of kids were asked to sing in church again. This time, for whatever reason, he decided he was ready. Without any doubt in his mind, he walked up on stage and sang his heart out. I was just as proud.

This post was sponsored by Electrolux. The Electrolux Perfect Steam washer gets your clothes cleaner than any other washer2, keeping kids looking their best, so parents can focus on the moments that count. Kelly Ripa and Electrolux want to know your proud parent moments. Visit facebook.com/Electrolux to share your BEST moments and enter for a chance to win a new laundry pair.

Hiho Batik: Handmade Art

My boys and I recently had the chance to check out Hiho Batik, a relatively new art space-cum-boutique in Park Slope, Brooklyn. I loved the store--the calm vibe, the design, and (on a practical side) the fit of the shirts. You know how t-shirts can sometimes be too wide or too short? Their shirts are just right and so soft. But that's not even the coolest part! We soon met Robyn Stylman and her business partner Julia Gordon and learned about the art space in the back of the store. That's where costumers can create their own personalized batik shirts, bags, bibs, aprons, even pillows!

Gordon has been practicing the art of batik for more than 18 years in Boulder and Miami. I was unfamiliar with this popular Indonesian fabric design, so Gordon explained, “The process of batik involves outlining a design on a shirt using hot wax, painting the design with dyes, waxing over the design to keep the colors in place, and finally dying the final piece of cloth. The wax simply gets washed out in the process and you are left with a one-of-a-kind piece of art.”

I couldn't wait to test it out, but that nervous feeling I get when I'm doing something new crept up on me. However, the owners and employees were so calm as they walked me and the boys through the process that I really enjoyed myself. I kept repeating the montra they have written cheerfully on the chalkboard in the back room, "There are no mistakes in art." This especially applies to batik. It's ok if the end result is a little messy. It actually looks better!

Here's some pictures of Oscar's experience. After the jump is Owen's (aka the artist) experience. I highly recommend Hiho Batik. You can walk-in or reserve the space for any occasion. I can't wait to go back and pick up our shirts. Read more details about my exsperience in an article I did for Elizabeth Street here.

That's Julia Gordon helping Oscar with his design. Plus, a mug full of permanent markers!!  

goofy face. he's stoked. i want that dog.

This is Oscar pouring the hot wax onto the shirt. Super hot but super safe thanks to Julia keeping a watchful eye. 

I couldn't tell if my boys were more thrilled to paint or wear rubber gloves.

Here's an example of a finished product. Buy this Dino Bones shirt here. Comes in adult size, too ha ;)

  Owen's turn after the jump . . .

Boston: The Truth

Boston was a disaster. I adored the city. But my kids? Horrible monsters! Sadly, much like this post, the pictures do not show the reality of the situation. Here's ten questions I was forced to ask myself while visiting this beautiful city:

1. So, some people actually plan on three kids? Or worse, four?

2. Will my kids ever stop fighting over my iphone/a seat in the stroller/dad's coke/my attention?

3. What is the deal with Oscar pooping in his pants? Everyday?

4. Why can't Ella pick a horse on the carousel? Now she's crying/pacing. She's getting off before it starts? It's shouldn't be this complicated!

5. Why didn't we bring a full-time nanny?

6. Maybe if we stay one more day, it will get better? Big Mistake.

7. Where's Owen? Where's Oscar? Where's Ella? Where's Owen? Where's Owen? 

8. OWEN! Why are you mooning the camera? Again?!

There's two more but I'm not brave enough to post them. I'll tell you the next time I see you. 

I'll end with this gaudy close up picture of the Swan Boats. I adore it. It's perfectly out of place and makes the trip seem totally worth it.

What We've Been Up to Lately: Improve Classes at Red Carpet Kids

Ella and her teacher Eva (in gray) making the same determined face. It's a great face.

I guess I'm signing my kids up for classes now? It's finally happened. No more wondering aimlessly through the city. We have places to be! People to meet! Get outta our way! My kids have been dabbling in skateboarding and soccer and now improv classes through Red Carpet Kids. We're obsessed. Here's a few reasons why it's our favorite class of all . . .

1. It takes place is on the Upper East Side in a gorgeous mansion. To get there after school, we cut through Central Park on our scooters. It's been incredible to watch the park change with the seasons. The journey to improv is part of the adventure.

2. Bottomless pink lemonade once we get to class.

3. The teachers can't be beat. Their energy level hasn't waned from the first class back in September. It actually seems to be getting higher as the kids learn the games and techniques. The teachers are so excited when they see improvement and aren't afraid to show it.

4. The skills learned from improv are endless. Thinking fast, developing creativity, and building confidence are just a few. Pretty much everything I would want them to learn.

5. Funny (Owen) or not (Oscar), these skills will help them with whatever they want to do with their life. Whether it be an FBI agent (Owen), a pilot (Oscar), or a teacher (Ella).

6. While my kids are in class, I sneak away to Bloomingdale's around the corner. It's a whole other world on the Upper East Side. I could get used to it very fast.

7. We've started forming a friendship with Eva and Craig, the founders of Red Carpet Kids. We even have a double date on the calendar. Can't wait!

8. My kids are in complete bliss for the entire hour. Take a look at the pictures. They can't contain themselves. I couldn't ask for anything more.

I highly recommend the class and would love to see more kids join us at  Improv University at Red Carpet Kids. Click here to for information about the class.

Also, Red Carpet Kids offers pajama parties on select Friday nights. My kids went once so Rob and I could go on a date. It was perfect. The kids got to watch movies in the theater, eat pizza, and play games. A great way to start the weekend. Click here to find out more about their upcoming events.

Owen and Oscar are practically conjoined during class. It's really sweet to see their tight bound. 

Eva giving them an pretend baby bird. They totally dropped it. 

Work it little Miss Amy Poehler

Above is Owen trying to put his grubby hands on the chandelier. The classic, "this is why we can't have nice things," phrase ran through my head. That smirk on his face. Scary!  

May pink lemonade always be in their red dixie cups.