So, I've written about temperament (our inherited dispositional traits) on this blog before, but today I want to focus more on the interaction between our genes and our environment.

Case in point: Penelope and Zahra's coordination.

What, you say? Moin and Kate had not one, but TWO, coordinated children? How is that possible???

Believe me, we're just as surprised as you are. But it's true.

Look at Penelope at gymnastics this past weekend. Moin (who was with her) said she was hanging on this bar and then using the wall next to it to walk her feet up and flip over the bar.

And Zahra was standing on one uneven bar and holding on to the top one at an angle. And both girls can run and throw and kick and climb like they're four, not almost two.

So, where did this come from? Obviously they must have inherited some sort of coordinated genes from somewhere back in our ancestry (ideas, anyone?) But, it's also a result of their environment.

When Quinn was their age he always had an adult (sometimes two!) watching his every move, and carefully following him around the playground. Was he watched very very closely? Yes. Was it the best for his physical development? Probably not. (Luv ya, Quinn! You have lots of skills - physical coordination just may not be one of them)

Z&P are not only twins, but two of three age five and younger. So, sometimes they just get left to their own devices. And you know what? I think that has really benefited their physical skills. Sometimes they need help with something (climbing stairs, getting dressed, etc.) and I can't help them. So they figure out how to do it themselves. And quickly.

So, yes, they probably inherited some "coordination" genes from somewhere. But I'll bet that had they been first born, single children they would not be nearly as skilled as they are today.

Today we took the kids to Edinborough Park, which is one of those crazy indoor playgrounds that exists only in Minnesota. We used to go there all the time when Quinn was two, but we haven't been back since the girls were born. There is lots to do there, but the main even is a 37 ft. high climbing structure.

After reading this post do you even need to guess who climbed to the top of that sucker and went down the giant slides with no fear?