Sasha and Luca Gibbon; 3 years old

Twins Luca and Sasha are the youngest children of Melinda and Gary Gibbon, and younger siblings of Jessica, aged 9. Although they spend their days together they enjoy doing different things.

Small world
New Zealand-born Melinda works part-time as a market researcher for a market research and technology company. She comes from a Catholic background and after the death of her mother started attending church again. The children's baptism was an important event in the family's life, and the local priest and the church parish are a great community and personal support.

Gary is a production manager for an adhesive labels manufacturer. He was born in Sunderland, north-east England, and is a staunch supporter of the Sunderland football team. The couple met when Melinda was 17 and Gary 19, and travelled back to the UK on their OE - their 'overseas experience'.

A recipe for a busy life
When Melinda is at work the children spend three days a week with their English grandparents, and Fridays at Eastern Bays Early Childhood Learning Centre. A Mainly Music group and weekly swimming lessons are also part of the weekly timetable. Cooking's another popular activity - Melinda cooks (and bakes) with the children, and Donna Hay is their favourite cook.

Twins with differences
The children have quite different personalities and different likes and dislikes.
Luca likes playing with his Thomas the Tank Engine train set, trucks, and cars, as well as computer-based games on the laptop and on his sister's iPod.  Other favourites are dress-ups, playing with water, and outdoor games. He also loves anything with buttons to push.

Sasha likes getting outdoors where she can run and climb.  Indoors, one of her favourite toys is Dora the Explorer.  She enjoys beading and making necklaces, doing very detailed drawings, playing dress-ups, and playing with dolls. Play dough is a big favourite, especially making play dough ‘biscuits’.

Shared pleasures
Luca and Sasha both enjoy books and having stories read to them - Slinky Malinky by Lynley Dodd is always a favourite.  Television shows that involve singing, like The Wiggles and Hi-5, are popular, as is Thomas the Tank Engine and Elmo.  Finding Nemo and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory are favourite films.