"I can't believe it, the twins are almost a year old," Hortense said. "I know," Quackmore said. The two parents were currently feeding the twins breakfast. The twins were eating oatmeal and scrambled eggs. They also had milk in sippy cups. The twins seemed to be happy together. Blaire also seemed to be happy with everything that was going on. The twins were starting to walk and talk. Della was the first one to start walking and Donald was the first one to start talking. It was harder for Quackmore and Hortense to take care of three kids because they were all going in different directions. They were still going to take care of the three of them and the family dog, Chip. They couldn't really afford the dog but they knew how to budget for the dog.
"Morning," Matilda said, coming down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Morning," Hortense said. "Do you have time for breakfast with us?" Quackmore said. "I'm sorry, I don't. I woke up late," Matilda said. "You're always waking up late, Aunt Matilda," Blaire said. "You're right, I am," Matilda said. "If you don't start waking up earlier, I'll start sticking the kids and the dog on you to wake up," Hortense said. "Please don't," Matilda said. "I'll give you a chance," Hortense said, picking Donald up out of his high chair. "Alright, thank you," Matilda said.
"Blaire, can you let Chip outside?" Hortense said. "Yes mommy," Blaire said. Blaire went and let the dog out into the backyard. "Chip, go outside," Blaire said. The dog got up and nearly ran over the little girl as he ran out the backdoor into the backyard. "Careful princess," Quackmore said as Chip ran out into the backyard past Blaire. The little dog barked at a bird when he got to the bottom of the stairs of the porch. "Okay daddy," Blaire said, closing the door.
Quackmore went off to work for the day and Hortense was alone with the kids. She had to work too but she was going to work from home for the day. She knew that she couldn't get much work done with three kids still under the age of five and a one year old dog to take care of throughout the day. She knew when the kids would go down for a nap, she could get the most work done. Chip would lay in the dog bed in the hallway between the two rooms while the kids naped. Blaire loved Chip and Chip loved Blaire. There was a lot to do during the day.
After lunch, Hortense put the kids down for a nap. "Alright baby girl, it's time for you to go down for a nap," Hortense said after putting the twins down for a nap in their cribs. "I'm not tired mommy," Blaire pouted in a tired voice. "Yes you are tired," Hortense said, taking her daughter by the hand and going upstairs. Hortense laid Blaire down on the bed and started to sing an old Scottish lullaby that her mom used to sing to her. Blaire was asleep in no time.
Hortense sat in her home office trying to get some work done. She couldn't really focus because she was waiting for the kids to wake up and she was tired. The twins and Blaire were asleep but she couldn't sleep until night time. She wanted to work but she also had to care for the kids while Matilda and Quackmore were at work. She didn't have a lot of work to do, luckily for her job. Matilda didn't have a lot to do during the day either. Hortense wanted to be able to care for the kids. They were her kids just as much as they were Quackmore's kids. She was their mom and she wanted to be the one to be at home with them during the day. She wanted Quackmore and Matilda to help with them as well but she wanted to be the primary caregiver for them.
Blaire came into the office where Hortense was still working. "Mommy," Blaire said. "Blaire? Hey baby girl," Hortense said. "Up mommy," Blaire said. "Alright," Hortense said, picking Blaire up and setting her down on her lap. The little girl giggled as she was lifted onto her mother's lap. It made Hortense smile. Hortense knew she was going to have to check on her twins to see if they were awake from their nap yet. They were younger so they were probably going to sleep longer than Blaire. Chip had not followed Blaire into the office so Hortense thought that the twins were still asleep. He was protective of all the kids because they were so young. They needed to be protected. It didn't matter how small the dog was though.
A few days later, it was the twins' first birthday. Hortense woke up early and she went to check on the twins. Donald was laying down still fast asleep but Della was wide awake and sitting up in her crib. "Hey, there's my little baby pilot," Hortense whispered to Della. Della giggled up at Hortense. "Shh, shh, shh. Your brother is still asleep," Hortense said, picking Della up out of her crib. Hortense changed Della's diaper and got her dressed. As soon as Hortense took Della out of the twins' room Blaire was sitting by the dog bed petting Chip. "Mommy," Blaire said. "Hey good morning, baby girl. Are you hungry?" Hortense said. "Yes," Blaire said. "Let's go downstairs and get breakfast," Hortense said and they went downstairs. Matilda had to work that morning but would be home for dinner that night and Quackmore was still asleep which meant that no one was making breakfast. She had to make breakfast for everyone. By the time Quackmore came downstairs with Donald, Hortense had breakfast on the table. Blaire ate her breakfast, while Hortense and Quackmore fed the twins their breakfast. Quackmore looked at the calendar on the wall behind him. "Today is June ninth," Quackmore said. "Happy first birthday Donald and Della," Hortense said. Quackmore gave both twins a hug and a kiss.
The weekend after the twins' birthday and Blaire's birthday, there was a birthday party for the three kids. Blaire was happy to see everyone. She ran up and hugged everyone that came. The twins didn't let go of their parents for the entire day. Blaire ran around with her cousins all day. All three kids got presents from everyone. Blaire was the most excited for the presents.
They went to the farm. "The twins are getting so big," Elvira said. "They are getting so big," Hortense said. "These kids are growing up so fast," Quackmore said. "They are," Hortense said. Donald started to fall asleep while Della was wide awake and was ready to play. Quackmore sat Della under an apple tree on a blanket. He surrounded her by some toys to play with and he sat down with her. The twins were complete opposites. Donald didn't want to do much while Della wanted to experience anything and everything that she could around her.
"Did you have fun today, princess?" Quackmore asked as he put Blaire as he put her to bed for the night. "Yes," Blaire said, rubbing her eyes out of tiredness. "Alright princess, it's time for bed," he said, placing her into her bed and tucking her in under her covers. "I'm not tired daddy," she said. "Yes, you are," he said. He placed her teddy bear next to her. She grabbed it from her father and held it tightly. "Good night princess," he said. "Night daddy," Blaire said. She closed her eyes and went to sleep. He quietly left the room and closed the door.
He went to the twins' room to see Hortense just putting the twins into their cribs for the night. Donald was already asleep. She went to tuck him in but he walked closer and tucked him in for her. "Thank you Quackmore," Hortense said and gave him a kiss. She placed Della into the crib and Quackmore tucked her in. Della fell asleep as soon as she was tucked in under her blanket in her crib. The two parents quietly left the room and went to their own room.
