After two unpleasant cases of perianal strep this winter, two little boys very quickly learned how to thoroughly wash their hands. Yes, the strep bacteria can be carried from hand to bum. And yes, my children apparently didn't know how to wash their hands despite our best efforts to teach them proper hygiene! Do yours?

They still don't do a very good job when it comes to hand washing even after experiencing the excruciating pain that is butt strep. Stephen has instructed them to sing the happy birthday song two times over before they can call it good. They sing a little faster than we would like, but it's better than nothing.

The thing is, when they sing the happy birthday song, they sing like this:

happy birthday
happy birthday 
happy birthday
happy birthday
happy birthday Henry and Wyatt
happy birthday 
(repeat)

They sing it as though they are one person. Obviously, this is interesting to me. This concept of self and identity.

I am probably over thinking what their perception of self might be and reading too much into a silly little song. Even as I write this, Stephen is telling me that Wyatt sang only his name earlier in the afternoon. So I don't know. I am sure they see themselves as unique people but I also think it might be hard to separate yourself from someone you not only share a bunk bed with, but also shared a womb with.

And your twins? Are they one and same? Do you think fraternal vs. identical might make a difference? Or gender? Do you encourage them to be individuals? And most importantly, do you let your children eat hot dogs?