Laughter ..

Today, we have had so much laughter. My 11 month old has suddenly developed the most beautiful little giggle, it's really infectious. She kept crawling from one side of the room to the other, I'd pick her up and she'd giggle hysterically. My eldest would then join in so our living room was bursting with laughter earlier.

It doesn't happen often so it's something I felt the need to mark, a good memory for today. And I hope that in future, I can listen to the sound of my girls just enjoying eachothers company as it makes me feel so proud of them that they love eachother so much, proud of myself as I've obviously had a big hand in their relationship.

It's especially important for me as I have a sister. She's 3 years younger than me (same age gap as my two) and from the day she came home, we never got along, she took all the attention, she bullied me, she was spiteful, she was selfish. In our house, I was the 'smart academic' one, and she was the 'funny, outgoing' one. I resented that I had to sit and do homework to absolute perfection yet she could stand on a spot and the attention would be focused on her. As adults now, we don't talk, haven't for over 4 years. She continued to bully, torment and treat me as though I meant nothing and so I made the decision that I was better off without her. People tell me that sisters are supposed to be best friends, but we were categorised and separated into two separate people - in the extreme. I can see clear personality differences between my girls, but I will never single one out in the way that my sister was. I encourage them to play together, to be together .. and I can see the difference in their relationship already. So .. I am so proud.

Anyway .. To laughter. And lots of it!