One purple One blue

First of all let me say- twins are amazing...especially mine (motherly bias and all) but just having a set of twins is an absolute joy. BUT they bring a whole different set of issues and considerations when child rearing. Today was one of those days.

One child received a purple ribbon (first place) and one child received a blue ribbon (second place). NOW I know that they are two separate children who act in separate ways- so results, reactions and effects will indubitably be different. But in alot of unspoken, trivial ways they are classified as one. Referred to and thought of as one; twins. I do it- I admit it. But so do teachers, friends, family etc. However I also respect and appreciate their differences - which by the way vastly out number their similarities.

This combined with the fact they are as close as two siblings can get...a closeness that can sometimes breed extreme competitiveness...caused a bit of drama at the bus stop.

Ribbons were handed out last thing as kids were loading buses. One felt defeated- the other felt elated. I could tell the purple ribbon winner empathized with her sister, but it didn't help. Feelings were hurt.

The facts were and are this:
Both girls did SUPER! They prepared well and worked hard. Our blue-ribbon winner drew a bit of bad luck in the sense she had a harsh judge. One who scored their project 20+ points below what the other two judges did. The explanation on the judging form was: "More information was needed to express the validity of non-orbital bodies and criteria for naming the aforementioned as such within scholarly branches of astrophysical consideration." WHAT!? Poor thing- she didn't even know what he was asking. Did he know they were just 5TH GRADERS?! Idiot.

The mom in me wanted to track him down and smack him- how dare he! But instead we soothed our sweetie with praise, explained that obviously that judge was spastic and made chocolate covered strawberries (they always make things better!)