The Twins' Twelfth Birthday

 ... And just like that the twins are twelve.

{2008}

{2020}

 We've been parenting for a dozen years. 

{first trip to the pumpkin patch}

***

I am not one of those moms who easily envisions the future. So today when I was getting ready for the day as Jack played Fortnite in my reading chair in my room, I thought, "I never imagined I'd like my kids so much as they got older." Like, he's pretty cool.  

I mean, sure they drive me nuts.  Especially the twins.  (oh the fighting and the competing and the arguing! gah!) But they are really good people.  They are kind and thoughtful.  They are funny and compassionate.  They are sweet and silly.  They are just... well, kind of awesome.  And I love that.  They are helpful and empathetic and never want to see another person in pain or upset. 

Basically, they're the kind of humans I want to be around. And that's pretty great. 

For their birthday they chose some things and put them in the Amazon cart. That's how Coronavirus Birthdays are happening around here. Hah.  "Whaddya want kid?" So I wrapped the gifts that rolled in, some are still coming later this week, and then Josh surprised them (and me!) when he said they could download Fortnite (something we haven't allowed up to now) since they are twelve now.

Their faces! (The first pic in this post is of their expressions when they heard the news!)

He told them that whether they get to keep this privilege is up to their behavior, but I have a feeling it won't be a problem. With quarantine, we've been doing a fair amount of screens, and they haven't really had a problem whenever I say it's time to stop. I give them ample warning when we are quitting, and they know they'll get more time again soon, so I'm hopeful it will be fine. Plus, they are motivated to keep this new liberty they've been given.  We shall see.

 My sister and I planned the day over a week ago, deciding to keep it a surprise.  My boys thought they might spend the day out at the land with Josh, and knew for sure we'd have pizza and a movie for family movie night since it's Saturday.  But instead, at around 11:30, the doorbell rang.  The twins answered it, and there sat two presents, wrapped so cute, sitting on the porch.  

The boys ran toward the street as my sister and her crew popped out from beside the garage yelling, "Surprise!" and "Happy Birthday!" The kids all hugged and I held Grady back from attacking everyone- we were all SO excited to have company over. 

They came in and got settled and played for a bit, then we had lunch.  After lunch the twins got to use their birthday gifts from my sister- new squirt guns and 420 water balloons (the kind that are self filling/self tying from Costco).  We went out to "watch the water gun fight" that we assumed would be between the cousins, only to be accosted by our own offspring and end up SOAKING wet.  It was hilarious and maybe the most fun I have had since March.  My throat hurts from screaming. Hahaha!

The twins said it was the highlight of their day.

Once we all dried off, I frosted cupcakes and we sang happy birthday to the oldest two in our crew.  Carly played the ukulele and Jack blew out his candles one by one as we sang.  Logan saved all twelve until the end.  I'm not sure what they wished for... but I hope that their dreams come true.

After cupcakes and ice cream, we played a little more, and then Roxanne and her kiddos had to hit the road for home.  We sadly said our goodbyes, but promised our kids we would be getting together again soon. Very soon!

Before we knew it, Josh got home with Call of the Wild (the boys and I finished reading the book yesterday) and the pizza ingredients we needed and we started movie night.  The kids really enjoyed comparing the movie and the book, and the food was all delish.  

Overall, I would say it was a delightful birthday for the boys, despite it being a strange year, what with Coronavirus and everything.  They got cards from my Grandma with some money inside and from their Grandma & Papa Cunningham as well.  They felt very loved and thought of, and ended the night with big smiles on their faces after playing football with their dad and staying up extra late playing Fortnite, a big deal around here, as we're usually really strict about bedtime. 

I am ending the night feeling so grateful my sister made the effort to bring all four of her kiddos over,  it really made the day; and so grateful for the little family Josh and I created, starting with the surprise of these twins.

 They've never stopped helping me grow, challenging me and fascinating me.

I feel so lucky to be their mom.

***

around here: week 20 2020

{May 10-16th}

 

{baby wyatt!}

Celebrating... Mother's Day with Josh out of town helping his sister finish her house to get it on the market.  We were missing him fierce the whole time he was gone (I don't think I have ever missed him so much, and I lived an entire school year without him when Carly was a newborn-), single parenting during COVID not being my strong suit, but the kids came in strong for my special day, making me coffee and muffins (our family favorite, Jiffy from the box) and Logan even called Grandma Carol to see if she would take them for the afternoon and give mommy some time off duty.  Sooo sweet!
Their cards melted my heart and I felt so proud (and blessed) to be their mommy.

Porch visiting... with my girl Shana during my afternoon off from the kiddos, and enjoying the Starbuck's and beautiful rose she brought me while we chatted.  These are strange times, indeed, but we're all making the best of it.

Seeing... Jack's gorgeous straight smile for the first time with his braces off on Monday after a long overdue orthodontist appointment. Carly and I waited in the car during his appointment- she played and I read- and he came out looking soo handsome! Now I can't wait to see Logan's come off!

Laughing... (and sharing on social media) about my amazing quarantine fashun sense and hearing that I am not alone. Unwashed hair in a messy bun, coupled with day-old clothes with unidentifiable stains, bags under our eyes from sleepless nights while rocking the highest weights we've ever been, somehow us mama's are making it through. #fistbump We got this, ladies.

Reading... Writers & Lovers and feeling that pull to write again.  Such a good read, and so fun to underline and be inspired by.  And also reading Nothing to See Here, which as a mom and former nanny I really enjoyed. It was a quick read and one I recommend.
I read both of those as the start of my #kelseysbotmreadathon weekend, hoping to get through four books, and they made for a strong start! I also copied some other bookstagrammers and made time lapse recordings of myself reading (you can see them under my highlights on my Instagram page profile) and those were super fun to see.  I get interrupted when I'm reading a LOT (hello four kids!) but that doesn't deter me.  And it makes the times when I do get uninterrupted reading time feel like a real luxury!

Watching... Ten Things I Hate About You on Disney one of the nights while Josh was gone and feeling all the junior high feels.  Gosh how I sometimes wish I could go back to the innocence of those years and tell myself to relax and enjoy the ride.

Happy... for my sister as she brought her former foster daughter for a little visit.  It's so good to see her in pictures and Facetime with her.  She has the BEST faces and says the funniest things. I adore her, and the relationship she and Carly has is hilarious. I love them.

Struggling... with keeping the kids caught up in school, and with parenting these rambunctious boys on my own half of this week. Our district doesn't know yet when our last day will be.  It could be as late as June 19th, but we're hoping to get out earlier since our online learning started pretty much immediately after we shut down.  Fingers crossed. 
As for the fighting, half the time, I try to run a tight ship and half the time, I remember what Josh tells me and that is, brothers fight. It's what they do.  Mostly, I'm just tired.  And man alive if they aren't the loudest bunch of kids you ever heard.

Recording... three things I'm grateful for everyday in my "Three Moments A Day" journal every evening even if it's a challenge (hah!) and finding it really does help me through the hard days.

Picking up... the twins belongings from their lockers at the middle school.  They had a good system in the parking lot where you checked in at one vehicle (from your vehicle) and then drove around to the other side to pick up your bag of items.  Logan was overjoyed to be reunited with his gorgeous new Nike shoes that he left in his PE lockers and we laughed to find his old cell phone still charged & working.

Suffering... random physical panic attacks throughout the week at different times during the day.  Heart pounding, arms feeling like buzzing bees, vision narrowing.  Just the worst. I really hate them when they come on at bedtime.  They usually feel like heartburn/a semi-truck parked on my chest, and I can't catch my breath.  When I get them at bedtime I take some of my anti-anxiety meds.  (I take Hydroxyzine, which is a relative of Benadryl and was a safe anti-anxiety drug to take while breastfeeding Carly.) But I found this week that on the days following the nights when I took it, I was left feeling very lethargic and almost hung-over feeling.  Not good. Blah. I hope I start feeling better soon.

Hugging... Josh SO tight when he got home on Wednesday evening. Boy I missed him!!! His face was all scruffy from not shaving (which normally drives me crazy) but I did not care a whit. I just loved him and hugged him and even told him he was so handsome and rugged all unshaven. It was so good to have my husband (and co-parent!) back.

Speechless... when I sat at the table as Carly held a humongous knife up to me along with a block of cheese and asked, "Will you cut me a chunk of cheese?!?" This girl. I tell you. I don't know where she comes up with this stuff... but she keeps us all on our toes.

Loving... on my mother-in-law's kitty, Peppercorn, when I dropped Carly & Wyatt off to spend the day with Grandma & Papa.  Peppercorn is so friendly and cute. His paws are huge, and he's so strong, even though he's still young. He even tried to get in the van with me. Haha!

Enjoying... another family campfire Thursday and loving us some smores!!

Reacting... to avocado on my nachos Saturday and having to call 9-1-1 because the advice nurse was worried.  She said since my tongue was swelling up, not just my lips, and I was home alone with four kids, she was concerned my throat my be next, and it'd be best not to take any chances.
Thankfully the Benadryl I took immediately upon noticing the hives inside my lips did its job, and the EMT's said I was fine.  Phew!
Now I just need to call my primary doc to set up some allergy testing to see what's going on. So strange!!

***

Week 23 Around Here {2019}

Watching... Chernobyl (a miniseries on HBO) at the suggestion of Josh's brother Samuel, and becoming quite obsessed honestly.  I also got to watch the first three episodes of Season Three of the Handmaid's Tale. So good!

Taking... our first family kayak trip.  It was so much fun to all be out on the water together!  I brought some toys that float for Carly, and she was such a good girl!  We all love it, and I see a summer FULL of kayaking adventures in our future.

Reading... I'd Rather be Reading and freaking out (!!!) when Anne Bogel shared my Instagram post on ways that I make more time for reading in her stories.  I listened to Golden Child and The Sea Glass Sisters on audio. (Have you heard of Hoopla? You can rent 7 books a month on there, with NO WAIT TIME! My friend Becky told me about it, and I'm all "Where has this been all my life?!?" It feels like I am always waiting for a book to come off hold, but now with Hoopla, I can have at least a handful of books I want right away!!)
 Golden Child was heartbreaking and disturbing, I think especially so because I have twins.  The Sea Glass Sisters made me very excited to read The Prayer Box, which is my neighborhood book club book for July.  I started The Favorite Daughter, which I am flying through (it's about a set of siblings whose dad is diagnosed with alzheimer's) and I started The Road Back To You, which is about the enneagram, and I finally got off my holds list from the library.  I am now officially obsessed with the enneagram, and wish I knew what everyone was. Ha!

Sharing... a backyard picnic with Carly in the sunshine, which was so lovely.  She asks for a picnic every other day, so it felt good to finally say YES!

Visiting... my counselor and sharing with him how nervous I am for school to let out.  My kids are, well, high maintenance, it seems.  The twins have such high energy, as does Carly, and I do not want to spend my summer playing "Entertainment Director", so we brainstormed some ideas to help keep them (and me) happy while making it a good, memorable summer for all. (And while preserving what is left of my sanity.)
He suggested keeping a routine, which will help all of us get through the day with more clear expectations, and he (surprisingly) suggested I actually give them a little more screen time, but broken up into smaller chunks throughout the day so as to save me from the post-screen monsters they can become if it goes on too long. 
I am also going to have the boys create a list of "at home" activities they can do instead of saying "I'm bored" to me (because if they say that to me, they are gonna get a list of chores to accomplish!) and we are going to (together) write a bucket list of fun things we want to do this summer. 
I left feeling at least a little bit better about the summer with all four kids home 24/7.
{big, deep breath}

Loving... our first official neighborhood book club meeting.  Those ladies are so smart, I'm telling you, after a few more months with them, I am going to be brilliant. Hah! Seriously, though, the thoughts they had about the book, and the way they applied it to society and marriage and... life... it was just mind blowing. I am SUCH a giant nerd, that nothing makes me happier than talking books, so sitting around for two hours discussing books with a bunch of other ladies made me one VERY happy girl.

Dosing... ibuprofen out to Logan & Jack whose teeth hurt like they are going to FALL OUT after having top wires put on their braces finally.  Now that the spacers have done their work to widen their top jaws, their top wires went in, and boy-oh-boy! are they in pain!!!
One night Jack was in tears, convinced he was going to wake up with teeth on his pillow. 
I remember feeling the same way.
Thankfully it has improved, but it was pretty rough for a while there.

Praising... my amazing husband who took one for the team and went to Wyatt's game with Uncle Samuel in the spitting rain so that I didn't have to go and drag Carly & the twins with me.  He gave me a big, fat pass and said, "Just stay home. I'll go." I was sooo grateful!! The twins and I worked really hard to tidy the house and get it clean for the weekend, and I was so happy to have an extra evening at home to get stuff done.

Celebrating... the anniversary of my motherhood. (Also known as Jack & Logan's birthday!) The twins turned 11 on Thursday, and we celebrated with candy in their lunchboxes, treats for their classrooms, and cake after dinner.  We put 22 candles on the cake and let them blow them out after we sang Happy Birthday. 

Laughing... as Carly tells any adult who will listen that her teeth are going to fall out soon.  She carries around the little tooth fairy container and keeps hoping she will wake up and find money in it.  #littlesister

Learning... from Wyatt's Sleep Study Follow Up that he is sleeping loads better than he was before his tonsillectomy.  He has less limb movement, more REM sleep and his oxygen baselines were better than before.  He went from having Moderate Sleep Apnea, to having Mild Sleep Apnea following the removal of his adenoids & tonsils.  The plan from here is to retest after he is done with his mouth expander from the orthodontist (in 3-6 months) and see what good that has done (it's supposed to make his mouth bigger to accommodate for his tongue and also help with his deviated septum/nose breathing). If he's better, great; and if not, then we will go on to see a specialist in Seattle.  Overall, I feel fantastic about this good news.
The only bummer is they didn't have stats on his Central Sleep Apnea (where his brain forgets to breathe) so I will be calling to follow up on that next week.

Receiving... flowers from the neighbor that were so beautiful. I seriously got compliments all weekend as family was in and out, the roses were so gorgeous.  (Thanks, Barb & Doug!)  I am so lucky!

Meeting... with a case worker from Wyatt's health insurance who will be an ally as we continue working on all his health issues (setting goals, making appointments & fighting for what he needs).  She can be a go between for me with the insurance company, letting them know why he needs a certain thing, calling and emailing them for me, and helping me keep track of all the things we have going on for Wyatt.  I am pretty organized, so I don't anticipate needing a lot of help for that, but having an extra person in my corner when it comes to fighting for what Wyatt needs/deserves, I couldn't say no to that.

Attending... Wyatt's last game of the season on Friday afternoon.  It was so dang windy & cold, but at least it wasn't raining!!  His aunt Julie and Josh's cousin Januari came to cheer him on, as did his cousins Ethan, Alvin & Isaac and Uncle Samuel.  We had fun there together, laughing and watching Wyatt and his team try their best.  I can hardly believe the season is already over!

***