A BOY Birthday Party!

When a friend of mine picked up her son from the twins' birthday party last night, I told her if there had been a theme, it would have been "BOY"-- they had a squirt gun fight, a Nerf gun fight, jumped on the trampoline and ate loads of pizza!  (There was also a lot of wrestling, good natured teasing & laughing!)

Those twins of ours were born with unending energy.  They wake up (usually early) completely ready to face the day, at 100%.  Their birthday was no different.  Then we invited seven of their friends (plus their little brother) to join us.  It got crazy fun & loud!

They were spoiled with tons of awesome presents- squirt guns, nerf guns, extra bullets, giant foam airplanes, slime kits, colored pencils, a sketch book, darts, candy, clothes, roller blades and a sprinkler so they can jump on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath. 

Then they got homemade pizza (thanks to Josh) which the boys consumed like there was a secret competition (#scaredfortheteenageyears) and soda, which was a special treat.  They were so cute & grateful, telling their friends that their dad makes the best pizza around and it made my heart swell.

Then it was time for cupcakes & candles & singing happy birthday.  All went well as Josh and I lit their ten birthday candles simultaneously.  

Then we sang happy birthday and in true twin fashion, Jack blew out his brothers candles, then his own, in one naughty fell swoop, the dimples on his cheeks extra deep with mischievousness as he giggled heartily.  Luckily Logan didn't seem bothered in the least, but Josh and I were none too pleased by Jack's behavior.  sigh.  Even on their birthday the parenting never lets up. Ha!

Then it was back outside until the parents showed up, having an epic Nerf gun war, where thankfully Carly & Wyatt were safe from the battle (and the bullets sailing through the air), protected by the trampoline netting.  The party was absolutely perfect for our boys who can never get enough action.  They said they had so much fun, thanking us profusely for the party, the food and their presents.  (And apologizing for their behavior. ahem, Jack ;)

"Mothers & children are in a category all their own.  

There's no bond so strong in the entire world. 

No love so instantaneous & forgiving." 

-Gail Tsukiyama

{be still my heart}

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Happy Tenth Birthday Twins!!!!

Leading up to the twins' birthday I've been super nostalgic.  I pulled out my pregnancy journal and photo album, all their baby books & calendars, and their childhood scrapbooks.  Looking back I am shocked at how young I look.  How young we look.  We were 25 and boy how we've grown & aged in the last decade!

I am also shocked at how humongous my belly got.  37 weeks with two babies in there, and it grew to a ridiculous size.  By the end, it was never smooth and round.  You could always see where one head or leg was sort of sticking out against my thin skin.

I was telling Josh last night, as we fell asleep, that I've always struggled with envisioning the future with our twins.  When they were first born, I couldn't imagine them crawling.  Then when they were crawling, I couldn't imagine them talking.  Once they were talking, I couldn't imagine them reading.  Once they were reading, I couldn't imagine them writing.

I struggle to project my mind into the future.  I can't imagine them at fifteen, eighteen.  Sometimes I feel like I am missing something important- like other people are able to do this and I can't.  

But today I thought maybe it's good I can't jump ahead.  Because it forces me to stay where I am when I'm there.  When the twins were babies, that was where I was.  When they were adorable toddlers, I was fully in it with them, chasing them around, keeping them busy.  Now that they are ten, I am here, enjoying them, soaking up each day where we are.

Yesterday I baked four batches of chocolate chip cookies, two for each of the twins' classrooms, to celebrate their birthdays today.  Logan was so happy to see me & Carly as we strolled up with his class treats.  We passed out his cookies, his classmates sang to him (he was shy as they sang) and then I shared a picture of him and Jack as two year old toddlers. 

This is the photo I shared.
(Logan is in stripes/ Jack is in the dino jammies)

His class guessed who was who, (they guessed about 50/50) and they all thanked me for the cookies.  It was super sweet.  I am always blown away by how gracious Logan is when I show up in his classroom.  He's incredibly happy to see me, grateful that I came, and tender toward Carly.  I love seeing that side of him.

After seeing Logan, I took Jack his treats.  He was a little more outgoing than Logan.  His teacher asked questions about Jack's birth and childhood.  His classmates guessed which twin was which in the toddler picture and about 90% of his classmates guessed correctly.  I was impressed!  Jack passed out cookies and beamed as his class sang to him.  They all thanked me for the cookies and enjoyed watching Carly toddle around the room causing mischief.  Jack was very sweet to her and made sure she was happy, sitting her next to his desk and giving her toys to play with.

Both boys were more than happy to take pictures with me, which I am so grateful for, and I am so thankful that I have spent the last ten years being their mom.  They have shaped me into who I am today and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. 

They are silly, sweet, sassy, fun, kind, sarcastic, caring, energetic, smart, athletic, helpful, non-stop boys who fill my days and keep me on my toes.  They are the best blessing God could give me, and I'm so glad He did.

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