So, not surprisingly, I’m very late on this “birthday” post. But really, three weeks is not bad when you consider the craziness that is December around here. At least I hope not!
But either way, my wonderful twins, you are now five years old. And in honor of that exciting and very-much-looked-forward-to event, I am going to list my top 5 favorite things about you and the fabulous people you’ve grown up (so far) to be.
Alex
1. You have the most tender, compassionate heart, my Bud. You care about others. You don’t like it when someone feels bad. You share willingly (most of the time). You want those around you to feel good. I love how you help your sisters (right now, you are teaching Erin how to play your new I Spy game) and how much you care about Timmy. You are a fantastic big brother. And although I know (and greatly dislike the reality) that your tender heart will be broken, perhaps many times, as you go to Kindergarten and, from there, into the great wide world, I am so glad that God has given you such a special gift.
2. You still have the funniest way of saying things. Aunt Debbie calls it an accent. And while I know I need to start correcting your speech patterns, I still love that some of your letters are pronounced incorrectly.
3. You are a collector. You sit for hours pouring over books, pretending to pull the pictures off the page so you can store them in a container of some sort. You have piles of coins, rocks, toys, papers, and any other thing that strikes your fancy. Right now, you have a large cardboard box that you are slowly filling up. It’s so fun to watch you find and preserve your treasures (although it does fly in the face of my love of clean and organized spaces!). I cannot wait to see how this part of you will develop as you grow up even more.
4. You still love your stuffed Scruffy Puppy. I love that about you.
5. You do what you do with all your heart (if you are willing to do it at all). Following Daddy. Inventing things. Telling stories. Singing songs. You are whole-hearted. Keep that spirit, Big Man. Put all that you are into everything you do. It will distinguish you from those around you in very good ways.
Erin
1. Sweet girl, I love you. In some ways, you are very, very girly. You love dressing up and being a princess and wearing a crown. You were so happy to get your very own long princess dress from Megan for your birthday. You pretend to be a ballerina. You twirl and sway in your own made-up ballet dance. You love sparkles and fancy dresses and feeling pretty. I love that about you.
2. You are still driven to learn things. Right now, you are picking up reading like a champ. You love praise. You are a pleaser, just like your momma. But you also love the thrill of getting it right (especially if you get it right before your siblings do). You and Alex both have Chicka Chicka Boom Boom memorized. I LOVE to hear you recite it as you turn the pages on the book. You are sounding out words and will, in no time at all, be reading books without me. I both love that thought and hate it. Still, you love to be read to as much as you like to read, so I don’t think I’ll be out of a job too soon, thankfully!
3. You are a helper. You love to help your dad and grandpa do things outside. You, more than any of your siblings, will bundle up and head out to the garage or shop to assist in any way you can. You will hold things, hand them tools, drive the tractor, whatever they will let you do with them. And you are such a help to me. You love to wash dishes. You love to make beds (yours and everyone else’s – including mine!) You even help me clean the bathrooms sometimes. You do have a servant’s heart, and I hope you never outgrow that.
4. You are so great with your brothers and sister. Of course, Alex is your best friend, always. Yesterday, you two sat together and drew pictures, taking turns showing each other your work and praising each other’s efforts. I love what friends you and Megan have become. You let her play with you: dolls, pretend, dress-up. You will create stories together and laugh together (usually long after bedtime!) and it is such a special thing to have a good friend who is also your sister. You will go through phases where you won’t like Meg or will wish she didn’t want to be like you, but I love that, for right now, you are each other’s best playmate. And Timmy is your favorite little guy. You call him Baby Goo-goo (mostly because we can’t seem to stop you), and he adores you.
5. You still want to snuggle with me. We already have some fits over what clothes you’ll wear or whether you got to go first, and I’m sure we will clash as you grow – two strong-willed women who “know” just how the world should go. But for now, you still like to snuggle up against me while we read or sing songs. You are my first girl, my sweet Erin, and you have, and always will have a special place in my heart (and by my side).
Happy Birthday, my twins. God blessed me with your wonderful selves five years ago. I could not be happier with the gifts that you are. I am excited for the next year and what it holds for us all – Kindergarten is the next big adventure – but no matter what happens and where we all go from here, always know that Mommy and Daddy love you, that God loves you, and that we cannot wait to see where life will lead you.
