Sigh. So many emotions for Mommy on this birthday. I honestly can't believe my babies are five, and so it's bittersweet. I know, everyone says that. When I look back over time, I no longer feel like Owen and Mason just joined the team. These little guys have been with us for a long time now. We are no longer adjusting to life with twins. We got this. Old hat. Well, it is mainly due to just really easy, well behaved boys! They are becoming much more self sufficient, which is excellent for us (and them). They are bathing/showering themselves (with some light monitoring from mom or dad), they are getting their own drinks of water now that we have a cool new fridge, they've enjoyed making their own lunches (some of the time), they are buckling and unbuckling their own car seats, brushing their own teeth, and they need almost no help with their homework. The only "help" we give them is to make sure they know what they're supposed to do, and then off they go. So, yes. Bittersweet. Bitter because I know they're growing so fast. In that same blink of an eye that was five years, they'll be TEN and awkward. Gah. Bitter because they are needing Mommy less and less. I know they still need me, but it will never be how it was. Bitter because they barely fit in my lap anymore with all those legs, arms, knees, and elbows. I make it work though, and I sneak in all the snuggles I can get. Luckily they still don't mind.
But SWEET overtakes the bitter, I think. It is sweet for me because of the way turning five makes my kids feel. They are SOOOO excited about being five. They are SOOOO excited about going to Kindergarten. They are SOOOO excited about being taller, bigger, stronger, faster. Mason even made a tiny (and I mean tiny) little mound of dirt a few months back and when he stood on it he asked me if he looked like a five year old. And as every parents knows, seeing your kid beam with pride, exude excitement, and ask a million questions in anticipation of something they're looking forward to makes it absolutely worth it, no matter what it is. They constantly asked how much longer til they turned five, they compared themselves to things (i.e. "when I'm five will I be this tall?"), they amazed themselves at how they can reach sinks without the use of a stool.
Their actual birthday also happened to be a school day, which they requested to take a cookie cake. Yes, they were also SOOOO excited about sharing a cookie cake with their friends after lunch. Aaron and I ate lunch with them and they previously decided their bday lunch of choice was going to be from Sonic (probably one of the least frequented restaurants by our family, but, it was up to them). And of course I got the obligatory birth time photos.
We had a plan after school to go over to JumpStreet (indoor trampoline park) with some family and a few friends. Granna, and our neighbors, Desoree, Scott, and Emma joined us. For supper the kids requested pizza from Yaghi's and another cookie cake. Granddaddy and Lindsay had now joined our group. We ate the pizza at home, opened presents, ate sweets, and played with the new Kinect! The afternoon and evening turned out great!
I snuck balloons in their room the night before...
And surprised them with a yummy breakfast (M).
One vanilla kid (M) and one chocolate kid (O).
The "favorite color" balloons were a big hit before school. (M, O)
Lunch with Mommy and Daddy, and as requested, cookie cake for their friends.
It so happened to be Mason's special helper week, so here he is doing his "guessing bag."
Every year I take a picture of them at their time of birth.
Here's Owen at 2:03 pm on May 10, 2012!
FIVE!!!
Mason at 2:04 pm, May 10, 2012!!!
After school we went to JumpStreet (an indoor trampoline park) with family and our neighbor friends.
Here's Mason climbing out of the foam pit.
And Owen dragging himself out too.
After the requested pizza from Yahgi's, it was finally time for presents!
Jack gave them Star Wars jammies! A big hit!
We got them a Magic Slushie Maker because Owen kept talking about this thing. He sounded like Billy Mays trying to sell Orange Glo, giving all the pros to this contraption and all the cons to using a blender.
Their "big" gift from Mommy and Daddy - XBOX 360 with Kinect!
They don't quite know what to think!
A cookie cake with a bomb on it since their upcoming party was a spy theme.
Mason blowing out his candles.
Owen blowing out his candles.
Licking the icing, of course!
Jack with the birthday boys.
Owen and Granddaddy playing Kinect together.
Maosn and Granddaddy getting some air.
Lindsay and Mason getting even MORE air!
Mommy and her two precious five year olds!
These two boys are kind-hearted, well mannered, sharp as tacks, full of love (especially when it comes to their baby brother), inquisitive, wear-their-heart-on-their-sleeve, best friends and we couldn't ask for anything more. We are blessed ten fold!!