Learning to lie

Greetings friends and family,

I was lied to! I knew someday it would happen, but never thought it would be so soon. This short story is "uniquely twins" although I'm sure every parent goes through something similar with the singleton at some point in the toddler years.

As Easton and Layla played with the newly assembled Thomas the Train set, I hovered over them to ensure the track didn't magically disassemble in a heap of parts on the floor.


Then a certain odor wafted my way. It was plainly evident someone pooped. Rather than the usual butt sniff test I stepped away from them and used my most serious tone of voice to get their attention. I asked a very simple question, "Raise your hand if you pooped!" I even led by example by raising my arm high in the air. They both reacted immediately and very differently with no hesitation or drawn out conspiracy. Easton's hand shot up in the air and he looked at me as if to say, "look at me, daddy! I am doing what you asked." Layla shook her head and emphatically said, "no".

It would appear to be a case-closed kind of situation so I gently picked Easton up. However, I did the butt sniff test to verify and it became obviously clear I had been double crossed. Lied to by BOTH of my toddlers at the same time. The one who confidently raised his hand was not the perpetrator and the one who denied the allegation with confidence was indeed guilty as charged.

Why would they lie? How did they learn this divisive trick? and most importantly, who taught them? Of course these questions of how babies learn this type of behavior has probably confounded Plato, Socrates, and Einstein as well as every parent since the beginning of time. This topic probably wouldn't fit comfortably amongst the other deep philosophical and scientific concerns of those brilliant minds so I imagine that is why they never wrote about it.

I wonder where is the spirit of Abraham Lincoln and the cherry tree? He said, "For I cannot tell a lie, it was I who chopped down the cherry tree." Admittedly he was significantly older when he bravely told the truth, but still the questions remain. The most difficult part of the situation was trying not to laugh in front of the twins.

Kendra's parents arrived on Saturday and Kendra's friend, Megan, arrived on Sunday. As you can imagine we are extremely busy having fun. Ever since Oma and Opa walked in the door, the twins are either WITH Oma and Opa or asking about them. I walked in to get Easton and Layla from their cribs after nap time and the first words out of their mouth are, "Oma? Opa?" That's it. Like a broken record until they come in the room or until the twins are able to run around the house and find them. I'm not complaining at all! In fact, I'm extremely grateful for the bonds between our twins and their grandparents (on both sides of our family).

Church on Sunday was excellent as usual. Having Oma and Opa join us was extra special.


They shared ice cream with Easton and Layla. What a way to make friends and influence people!


It is a rare treat for the twins to eat sweets or candy, but then again this is a rare occasion to share with grandparents. Ice cream in the sun during Thanksgiving week is a uniquely Arizona experience. Maybe a couple of other sun belt states can brag like that, but you get the point...


Opa shares coaching secrets of football as the Cardinals wrapped up their victory on Sunday.


His efforts weren't in vein. Easton made a great tackle in the crib as they bounced around later that night.


It's all about "doing life together" here at the Webb house. Even walking to the mailbox takes on a whole new enjoyment when Oma and Opa are around.


Skype is a modern miracle of technology because it allowed the twins to recognize and interact with Oma and Opa in the 2-demensional world in such a real way that when they visit, it's as if they've been at our house for the past few months.


Kendra's friend Megan arrived in town on Sunday and brought her precious daughter, Isabella, with her. Megan says Isa is 5 months younger than our twins, but when they play together there is virtually no difference physically or developmentally. Here's Isa driving her pretend car and even shifting the gears as she motors along.


I expect to have at least one good picture of Megan and Isa together during their visit. Everyone is going to the zoo tomorrow morning so I'm expecting to have some monkey-licious pictures of everyone. Also I anticipate the adults and children will be equally worn out in the same way they were from running around the bounce house today.

Is there anything more fun in life than lights, noises, and buttons?


The answer is, "no". Easton and Layla could have sat in this pretend car all day long if we had enough quarters to keep it humming along.

The adventures never stop so come back again soon! Bye bye