Colette about the grandmother are of identical twins: “They are really two different males”

When Colette van Soestbergen heard that she was a grandmother of identical twins, she had to switch. “The nail polish was already ready,” she jokes. “You have to be able to keep them apart?” But that measure proved superfluous. Because soon it became clear: the same is not identical. “They are really two completely different males.”

That discovery, combined with a good dose of grandma love, eventually led to something that Colette never intended: issuing its own picture book. The adventures of the twin mouse and mous – Originally intended as a personal gift for her daughter – it grew into a book that is now in the store.

Two children, zero hands free

From the start, Colette fits every Tuesday on her grandsons Milan and Miles – and that is anything but a day of rest. Two babies meant: feeding twice, comforting twice, changing twice. “And then I am not even talking about lifting and going up the stairs with two babies. It is a logistics challenge, but you will automatically become handy in it,” says Colette with a smile. “And creative. We soon learned the boys to hold their own bottle.”

Yet the challenges continue to present themselves, especially now that the boys have grown into two mobile toddlers. “They are now in an age where they don’t always listen well. For example, I don’t dare to go to the playground with the twins. If they each run in a different direction, I have a problem. So we take long walks with the pram and play in the garden.”

The same DNA, totally different toddlers

Keeping the little ones apart is Colette easier than expected. “When they were still babies, one was a bit firmer. So I didn’t need the nail polish,” she jokes. “And now that Milan has hair much longer than Miles, I will no longer confuse them anyway.” As the boys get bigger, the difference between them becomes increasingly clear. “You notice it in small things: the one, for example, does not like meat, the other eats everything. But you also see big differences in their characters. Milan is a daring, while Miles first looks the cat out of the tree. They complement each other perfectly. Sometimes I see them really together. Then I see Miles whispering Milan instructing it somewhere. Mildt.”

Special tire

A prejudice about twins that according to Colette is correct is the special band. “Milan and Miles really have a strong connection. When they wake up, they call each other immediately. They also keep an eye on each other. If one falls, the other is often there rather than I am comforting. They also seem to have their own language in which they fully understand each other. That is so special to see,” says Colette. That dynamic between twins appears to be no exception. Colette spoke with parents of identical twins, and she always heard the same: they share a special bond, but are really two unique personalities.

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A gift that accidentally became a book

From that wonder, her book arose: The adventures of the twin mouse and mous. In this picture book, the twin cats experience all kinds of adventures, which shows that they are very different. “It was not the intention to release it at all,” says Colette. “I just wanted to make a sweet gift for my daughter and grandsons.” But when Colette went looking for a bookbinder, she unexpectedly ended up with a publisher. The publisher was immediately enthusiastic. Especially the illustrations – which Colette made himself, inspired by her daughter’s deceased cat – hit exactly the right chord.

And now lies The adventures of the twin mouse and mous so really in the shop. With a message that Colette finds important: “Twins may look alike in appearance, but they are really two individuals. That is something that children – twins or not – can learn from an early age.”

Will there be a part two?

The reactions are heart -warming. “I get so many sweet reactions from people who think it’s a nice book,” says Colette. “And the twins itself also really likes it!” Enough inspiration for part two? She laughs. “Maybe. Because one thing is certain: with Milan and Miles there is always a new adventure to tell about.”