Welcome to Our Little “Community”

For those of you that haven’t been to Casa Castellano, we thought we’d take this opportunity to introduce you to the girls’ secluded play area. Affectionately known as “The Community” (as in gated community), this haven allows the girls to enjoy playtime without the typical assault of wet noses or face licks that is inevitable when our two dogs Angel and Joker are out of their kennels. While Dad initially resented the fact that Braelyn and Gwendolyn would be “caged up,” they honestly seem to enjoy their own space and since it engulfs a rather large portion of our living room, there is plenty of space for them to roam. Rather frequently, Mom or Dad climbs in and joins in the fun. When Grandma McKee is visiting we pop one of the connectors on top to allow for easier access to the girls so she doesn’t have to “hurdle” the fence of The Community to interact with them.

That’s actually where one of the funnier side effects of The Community comes into play. With Ms. Wiggles (a.k.a. Braelyn) on the scene, a compromise in the “integrity” of The Community’s gate often is too inviting for her to pass up. That’s because Brae Bear enjoys testing boundaries already and there’s no better boundary to try and cross then figuring out what it will take to squeeze her little body out of the gate if it’s left even a smidgen ajar. Straight out of Mission Impossible, Braelyn will roll over to the space in question as if clairvoyantly knowing which portion isn’t completely affixed. Then, she’ll begin kicking it with her legs. As soon as the smallest of gaps is present, she makes her break; often looking around to ensure that Grandma, Mom or Dad can see her so that she’ll be caught in the act. (We guess she’s still mastering the element of surprise… Which is fine by us!)

Gwendolyn’s experience in The Community is typically more docile. (No shock there we guess.) She has what originally was an enlarged nursing pillow meant for twins that makes a large “U” shape. She’s turned that device into a makeshift cushy chair where she often sits while she’s in The Community. Before long, Gwen’s known to pull up a bucket of toys and have a good old time blowing raspberries at the various objects she encounters while sitting in her "chair." Of course it’s not all fun and games for The Gwenner when she’s in The Community. That’s because her at-home physical therapy sessions will often take place at least partially inside The Community as well.

So there’s your look behind the curtain at the twins’ latest craze this soggy Kansas City Thursday. By the time you’re reading this, Braelyn and Gwendolyn are liable to be enjoying another play session in their special gated community once again!