This is the part of the blog where I get to brag about my kids

...because I don't really use this blog to brag about my kids. Sometimes, I even complain. I try to keep the gushing to a minimum, since I know that my kids are so awesome, and I know that if I go on about them people with children of their own will start to be jealous and wish that my kids were theirs. I would hate to cause coveting in my friends. And those who don't have children of their own may be caused never to have any because they know their future children could never live up to the magnificence of mine.

Alas, you will all have to get over it. Here goes:

Maïa:
-can count up to one hundred. On her own. No prompting
-knows the words to over 30 songs, many in French
-can make her own ponytails
-does amazing pirouettes
-is starting to read words
-understands some Italian
-has the best freckles on her nose
-knows when violins or pianos are playing when listening to classical music
-reads stories to her little sister
-is well behaved when Solanne is crazy
-asks to brush her teeth
-never protests at bedtime
-loves broccoli
-says "I love you" out of the blue
-dresses independently; even refuses help
-has great fashion sense
-has been faithful to Clicky
-draws some wicked-kickass pictures; better than most kids her age
-colours inside the lines but has a definite opinion on what colours go where
-is the prettiest little girl I've ever seen

Solanne:
-can count up to 12
-can dress Polly Pocket, including her 5mm shoes
-can catch, throw, and kick a ball very well
-speaks very clearly in complex sentences
-sings in tune
-says "I'm sad" or "Mommy fâchée" at the appropriate times
-randomly hugs and kisses her big sister
-loves almost any kind of fruit
-can do four-piece puzzles completely independently
-holds a pencil correctly
-knows most of her letters
-knows many colours (especially pink)
-likes to help do the dishes
-reminds us to clean up at bedtime, by singing the "Clean up!" song
-loves to brush her teeth
-knows when it's her turn and when it's not — generally
-is the cutest little toddler around