More than 4000 sets of twins start school each year, and this year Deniliquin South School will have triple the fun with three sets starting.
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Belle and Jax Hall, Lenny and Charlie Mills and George and Harvey Smith will start their primary school journey when they start Kindergarten on Thursday.
They start two days after the rest of the school returns to the classroom.
Mum Eleisha Hall said Belle and Jax can hardly contain their excitement.
“Every morning since school transition back in November they would ask ‘where are we going today? Are we going to South?’. When I reply they always say ‘it’s taking a long time’.
“Having twins was a huge shock, as both sides of the family don’t have any immediate twins along the line.
“We have come to learn that twins can happen spontaneously in one in 70 pregnancies.”
Mrs Hall and husband Brayden welcomed Belle and Jax five weeks early after a very rocky pregnancy requiring ten weeks bed rest.
They were born in Bendigo, with Belle arriving first and then Jax two minutes later.
“The first year of twin life was a huge adjustment, requiring two hourly feeds. We got little sleep for the first four months,” Mrs Hall recalled.
The twins are very active and social enjoying gymnastics, footy, swimming and playing with family and friends.
“They attended pre-school in preparation for school, and being boy/girl twins they are naturally polar opposites.
“They are very aware of being twins and reference it all the time. They have come to understand not everyone is a twin.
“They gravitate towards each other without realising and are constantly checking in with each other throughout the day.”
Shaun and Sherae Mills welcomed twins Lenny and Charlie at the Monash Hospital in Melbourne.
The boys were born premature at 35 weeks and required two weeks of special care.
Lenny arrived first and is one minute older than brother Charlie.
When Mrs Mills asked the boys if they are excited about starting school, Lenny said a big yes while Charlie was a little unsure.
“I reassured him that he will have Lenny there and will make lots of friends, and that put a smile on his face,” she said.
But Charlie’s wariness is shared by his parents, who say the boys’ first day of school will be a “bittersweet moment”.
“Shaun and I have watched them learn skills and gain confidence through the years and we cannot believe the time has come to send them off to school,” Mrs Mills said.
“I’m preparing myself for the first drop off, but I know there’ll be tears for me.”
Kate and Anthony Smith welcomed twins George and Harvey at Bendigo Hospital where George was born first and Harvey a close second.
It was an anxious time for Mr and Mrs Smith spending three days in special care while plans were established with Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for George.
He was born with kidney complications and the family were frequent visitors to the hospital.
George is now a happy, healthy five and a half year old with one great kidney.
Harvey started wearing glasses from 18 months old and now lives every minute in them.
“We want to thank Deni Optometrist Peter Thompson for dramatically improving Harvey’s sight,” said a very thankful Mrs Smith.
“The twin journey has been pretty amazing with lots of extra nappies, feeds, baths, clothes, washing, tantrums and wonderful milestones.
“Our boys are fraternal twins, and twins don’t run in either of our families, so it was definitely a shock when we first found out.
“Luckily we have lots of family in Deni who have helped us survive.”
The family are anticipating a very busy household for 2023, with the boys starting Kindergarten and older sibling Julia starting Year 4 this year.
“George is especially excited to venture into the new bigger playgrounds and Harvey can’t wait to catch up with his preschool friends joining them at South School,” Mrs Smith said.
“The boys are also very excited about their first ‘show and tell’, to bring their new brother Liam who was born last Friday.”