5!

We celebrated the twins birthday this week - twice.  My boys are 5!  How did they get to be that old already?

Sunday we had a birthday party for James and Morgan turning 5 December 6 and Evan who turned 3 November 24.  The boys were thrilled with having their family all here to celebrate.

James

On their birthday, we had our own family dinner - one of their favorites, spaghetti.  After eating Grandma's delicious cakes, I decided fresh baked cinnamon rolls would do for dessert.  3 boys had candles to blow out again.

Morgan

While birthdays are meant to be celebrated, it's also a time for a mommy to reflect.  I watched my boys throughout the evening and marveled at the wonderful little men they are.

Morgan has a kind, loving nature.  He is sensitive to the feelings of others and makes a point to try to comfort them if needed.  Yet he is also a ball of energy that spontaneously bursts into jumping or dancing his way around the room.  He's very creative, leaving his mark on any blank space he finds.  He is a friend to all he meets and confidently introduces himself or offers a rendition of a favorite song.

James has a determined, helpful nature.  He spends a lot of time figuring out how things go together - blocks, lego, forts etc.  He loves helping with everything from setting the table to putting on Evan's coat to helping any of his adults with their various projects.  He considers himself a fine cook.  Although he is a confident boy at home, he is nervous of new places and events, relying on his trustworthy twin or his mommy. 

Put the 2 together and the things they come up with are limited only by their imagination.

I can't help but to think back to the day they came into the world.  They surprised us by arriving six weeks early.  12 days later they came home to be our Christmas gifts.

James and Morgan at 2 weeks old 

A Three Year Old is in the House

Evan turned 3 today!  3!!  

Evan with his clown cake.

It astounds me each day how much my boys grow and change and learn new things.  One day I am holding them in my arms and helping them with everything while getting in all the cuddles I can.  And then, after what seems like just one sleep, they are dressing themselves and teaching me songs they've learned.  It's the affliction of every parent - how do they grow up so fast?

While Nicholas is my youngest, Evan is my baby.  Or was.  He perched on my forearm for the first year of his life, stayed close to me where ever I was in the house, never wandered far from my side when we were out.  But then, one day I noticed he wasn't playing by my side, he was off with his big brothers.  He no longer wants to ride in the shopping cart when he can wander and "help" me. 

Today was his birthday so we made it a special day for him.  He was a bit confused by us celebrating without the rest of the family we've been planning will come for his birthday party.  Where were Grandma and Granddad?  And when I asked what kind of cake he wanted he insisted he had to have a clown cake.  Grandma will be creating a true clown cake for his big birthday party so he couldn't understand that he could have any kind of dessert he wanted tonight; he wanted a clown cake.  Although far from professional, I was pleased our improvised clown cake ended up looking somewhat like what it should considering there were 4 pairs of hands helping me create it.

And so today has marked the day that my little boy is no longer a baby.  To look at him he doesn't resemble my image of him.  He can now look over the edge of the counter, he can use the potty all by himself, he can wash his hands by himself, he never stops talking, he can count to almost 20, he knows where he lives and his phone number, and he can spend 2 nights away at his grandparents all by himself.

But even though he looks like a 3 year old and acts like a 3 year old, I know my baby is still tucked away inside.  He still loves his cuddles, wants me to carry him, gives me spontaneous kisses, cries when he's frustrated, runs to me when he's scared and, best of all, tells me he loves me.  He also reminds me every day that he's "dust whittle still".  He's still just little enough to want his mommy to do things for him; even those things he can do for himself.  But I don't mind.  It helps me keep him little for a while longer.