The Clarinet Web Site

17th January 2005

Stephanie and Charlotte are now 2 years old as we write, now high enough to see what is on a table (and find a way to grab at anything, using a tool if needed!) and move fast enough to leave us breathless.

Their incredible childminder, Joanne Smith, is still saying she enjoys looking after S&C. They adore her and eagerly trot off to her house each day.

In July 2004 the girls enjoyed joining in at The Clarinet Summer School, and had a chance to meet Mike Reid and Les Craven again, pictured here with Charlotte on Deborah Tayler’s (her Godmother’s knee).

A last minute booked holiday to Brittany was not a great move. Mummy spent the WHOLE journey across the channel looking down a sink plughole feeling very green, while the waves were higher than the Hoverspeed boat, and Daddy and the girls ran around the top deck having fun! Once landed in France the rain started and did not stop until the day we came home. This photo was taken on the beach at Mont Saint Michel, just before it poured with rain again!
The final straw was when the roof leaked on our bed at 3.30am! It was too cold to use the outdoor pool and there appeared to be no other life within 50 miles. A final burst of retail therapy at Calais saved the holiday.

Then there was a week staying on a farm near Cardiff in September – where the girls this year discovered several indoor playgrounds, such as Jazzy Jungle at Llandaff and Alphabet Zoo, near Penarth. A walk on a very breezy Ogmore-by-Sea beach almost lifted the girls into the air, and for the first time in their lives they were scared by the weather. Charlie ran across a 4” beam 15 foot above the ground level at a playground – without falling off, so a future tightrope walker possibly?

Whilst on the farm in Wales, Steffi decided she was old enough to drive Daddies car!

Later in November a week in Southampton was spiced up by finding more play centres (we are becoming expert at searching yellow pages). We found a lovely house to stay in and will be returning there for a week in March.

Every three months the girls make a star appearance at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital for the multiple birth antenatal meetings, led by Lorna Wood. Sometimes mum does it alone if dad is working away – and sometimes it is dad on his own, which earns him many brownie points with the mum-to-be there, who look to their partners to take in the message, “being a dad of twins means you have to share the workload”.

Christmas Day brought real snow, but despite Mum’s enthusiasm, Steffi & Charlie were not too impressed! When it came to opening presents the best bit seemed to be ripping the paper and playing with the boxes!

Favourite presents included umbrellas, a colourful house/tent and a keyboard from Mummy & Daddy as the piano is still a bit too big.

Their 2nd birthday was celebrated at the Philharmonic Hall with a concert, which included Daddy playing in Tubby the Tuba and a showing of the of The Snowman, with the orchestra playing. It was a bit distracting for Daddy to hear very clearly onstage, “that’s my Daddy” screamed from one of the boxes at the back of the hall, shortly followed after the end of the Snowman by “AGAIN, more please!”

Steffi tried to persuade Dad that she was entitled to a drink on her birthday backstage after the concert. A small party at home followed the concert and the girls enjoyed opening even more presents and playing with their friends and family.

Mummy and Daddy both prove just how unfit they are by being breathless within minutes of chasing the girls around various parks and playgrounds and on their Sunday walks in Sefton Park with Uncle Willy.

Favourite games now are trying on Wellington boots and “dressing up” shoes, the saxoflute (make your own instrument from 16 bits and pieces), slides (the steeper and longer the better for Charlie) and slides for hair – for Steffi who like to try out new styles on her sister.

Charlie loves jigsaws and often has moments of deep thought. Steffi likes books to be read to her over and over again. Climbing at every opportunity is a must for both, and food wise best hits include melon, macaroni cheese, bananas (must be in their skins) and milk, but lots of it! Despite our best efforts to keep watching TV to the minimum, Steffi & Charlie are obsessed with the CBEEBIES programme Come Outside starring “Pippin” the dog.

Both girls can be charming and cheeky at any given time and are a constant source of amusement.

S&C are high maintenance now so apologies if we have not been in contact during the year as much as we should have been. We think of all our friends often, but usually too late to call them in the evening. Clearing up and washing after S&C are in bed often means collapse follows around 11.30pm.

We would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year for 2005.

Love from Stephanie, Charlotte, Sandra & Andrew