So we’ve had quite the birthday weekend around here.
Thursday, I tried to think of special things to do with the twins on their actual birthday. So they got a couple of can of play-doh to play with (we don’t do this often…I’m sure you can guess why!) in the morning. And we met my dad for lunch, which all 3 kids really enjoyed. Actually, I think my dad enjoyed it too! After naps, we played until Eric got home, bringing birthday dessert (mini whoopee pies). After dinner, they each got a whoopee pie with a candle in it. They giggled hysterically while we sang Happy Birthday to them and then blew their candles out with relish! They tore into gifts with that same relish, come to think of it.
Erin got a stroller for her dolls. Alex got a rug with a road design on it for driving his cars and trucks. And they got a Curious George Christmas movie to share. Of course, we had all had a really rough night’s sleep the night before, so by that time, the kids were all fighting meltdowns. Erin wanted to play with Alex’s new toy, which he didn’t want to share. Megan wanted to chew on Erin’s new stroller, which set Erin off even more. Eventually, we did settle down to enjoy the toys a bit before bath and bed.
Of course, bedtime was an unusually emotional time, too. For weeks, the twins have been reciting their mantra: “I number 2, but I gonna be number 3, and then I be a big boy (or girl) and I not need my pacifier!” Unfortunately, the reality of that mantra was pretty hard on them. They were overstimulated, way sugared-up, and over tired. And when they realized that we were serious about not getting them their pacifiers, Alex melted into a huge puddle of tears and sadness, and Erin looked up at me with big tear-filled eyes and sobbed, “I don’t want to be three!”
(And truth be told, it was pretty hard on us, too…this reality that our kids had to learn — that growing up inevitably requires loss, that getting “big” also means putting away dearly loved, special times and things and activities. It’s a reality of life that still hits us hard, when things change, or loved ones pass away, or the “magic” of life that is inherent in childhood gets buried under the mundane realities of adulthood. It’s hard to watch your kids cross those bridges, small though they still are for now, and it makes you think of all the bridges, much bigger ones, that they will have to cross in the not-so-distant future. Yeah…our kids weren’t the only ones who felt tears that night…)
Thankfully, the over-tiredness eventually worked in our favor, and they soon fell asleep. Alex did come to the bathroom the next morning, looking deeply distressed, and told me very sadly, “I lost my pacifier.” It was heartbreaking. And nap times have been the hardest because they talk to each other instead of falling asleep. But we are making the adjustment to life without pacifiers. And I might not wait until 3 to take Megan’s. I’m not sure I can do this process again!
Anyway, Friday was spent playing with new toys, watching our new movie, and getting ready for the party on Saturday. I made the cakes and used the party as an excuse to do a lot of cleaning and sorting, which was a very good feeling. (Actually, if anyone wants to take my kids for a few hours so I can do that to the rest of my house…man, that would be great!)
And then it was Saturday. I got up at 6:30 to exercise before the rest of the house woke up and also cleaned up the basement. Eric and I spent the morning working on my to-do list. I finished decorating the cake (no pictures yet…sorry) and then we all cleaned and decorated. The twins helped me put Curious George decals on the wall – which they LOVED. Eric and I moved a bunch of toys to the basement to make a “playroom” for the kids that night and set up extra seating where the toys usually live. The kids went down for naps and I left to pick up food and balloons. I got home, and it wasn’t long until our first guests arrived! And the party began!
The twins had a blast, I know. The people, the presents, the cake…fun, fun, fun, fun, fun! They got dress-up clothes, a kid-sized trampoline, new clothes, personalized ornaments, new toys…seriously, I don’t think we need Christmas after all of that! But overall, I think it went really well. Eric put together the trampoline and they jumped for a bit after baths (and first thing this morning because it was about the first thing Alex thought of…Thanks Mom and Dad!). Again we were overtired and overstimulated. But still, it was a very, very good party which they enjoyed immensely.
Of course, Sunday morning hit them pretty hard. We’ve had a number of meltdowns today, so church was followed quickly by lunch and nap (which are still in progress, thankfully). And I think the rest of the day, I will focus on lowering the level of excitement and stimulation.
But still, it was a pretty amazing birthday weekend for a couple of sweet little 3-year olds. And I’m glad I have a whole year to recover before we do it again!
