This is only a Test

Testing. Testing.

The twins have been testing my patience lately. I think I may be failing miserably.

Two and a half is a tough age. They are testing their own limits and mine as well. Ryan understands when he is doing something wrong and gets caught. At times he gives me this sly grin, other times the "pouting lip" look. I've introduced time outs in the corner which he complies with. Not to say a mere 10 minutes later he is back to doing what got him in trouble in the first place. Katie on the other hand is an instigator. Out of no where, she will just go up and hit Ryan. If Ryan is sitting quietly, she will sit next to him and start putting her feet on him or touching him. In the car, she'll try to swing her feet over the car seat touching his. This in turn leads to Ryan crying, Katie continuing to bother him and so forth until a fight breaks out. Katie does not take well to time outs. She pushes, she screams, she hits. I believe she also inherited my lack of patience. For her, it's non-existent. When she wants something, she wants it at that moment. Her favorite words of the moment are "Go away" and "Stop it." Not sure where the "go away" comes from but I'm pretty sure the "stop it" comes from me. I must say it a bazillion times a day. I can't help but crack a smile when one of the twins is doing something wrong and the other with finger pointing and all says, "Go to the corner."

I found myself yelling at them throughout the day. Sometimes, I think I may need a time out in the corner. If I needed a breather when they were babies, I would walk outside, take a few deep breaths and come back in. If I attempt that now, I may be locked out or come back to find the house in more shambles then it was when I left. Add no more naps into the mix and the day proceeds to go down hill. Some days I feel guilty thinking "Only 2 more hours till bedtime." or "How early can I put them to bed tonight?". When they do finally go to bed and I hear " I love you Mommy" and we all say our apologies for the bad day we had, I think, " What are the teenage years going to hold for us?".

This is only a test. Right?