About a month ago, Lauren was a little sad saying she didn’t want to share her birthday with her brother and asked that I move it to a different day. I tried to explain the best I could to a 5 year old twin that that just isn’t possible. Eventually she succumbed to the realization that she will always have to share her special day with her brother. Being a parent of twin has its own challenges and I often feel bad that they don’t have their own special day, or are always referred to as “the twins,” etc. I am a victim of the latter but am trying to do better. It’s very difficult to not compare them but I have to keep reminding myself they are two separate 5 year olds.
We agreed to do two separate parties for Caleb and Lauren this year. I considered doing each party on a different day but that sounded like a lot so we decided to do them on the same day at the same time! Caleb requested a Lego party and Lauren a slime party. I couldn’t imagine having to keep track of more than 10 kids so they were each allowed to invite 4 friends, (one of L’s friends wasn’t able to make it).
While the boys assembled LEGO sets we got them, (with help from Papa), the girls made slime outside. Lunch was all had together and then gifts were opened. Every year I’m amazed at how loud and busy it gets with 2 kids opening gifts. Then cupcakes were decorated and outdoor play finished the party. It flew by and a great time was had by all. A big thank you to my parents for helping during the party and the clean up after!
Lauren:
For two years you have been asking if you could get your ears pierced. For the first year, I just pretended I didn’t hear you. Then over this last year I realized you were actually serious. So last week we went to a piercing/tattoo place to get this accomplished. This is such a right of passage for girls. I distinctly remember getting my ears pierced with my cousin at the Claire’s in North Grand Mall. I also remember having purple plastic earrings in my kindergarten picture. So ironically Lauren was able to get hers pieced just prior to her kindergarten pictures, and she just happened to pick purple earrings. I feared she would get one ear done and then be too afraid for the second but she was amazing and barely flinched when it happened. Although little, she has taught me many times that she is one tough girl.
I have also thought that you were my least athletic child but again you continue to surprise me. You did play soccer last Spring with your brother and were able to hold your own. You are a decently fast runner and I think you have found your calling in gymnastics which we just started. This is the perfect sport for someone like you: Fearless, full of energy, willing to try anything and fiercely determined and independent.
Daily I look at you and smile at the adorable little person you are. You have such a fun and caring personality to go along with your cute looks. However, you are often the one to test your parents the most. Listening goes out the window most of the time, and typically after we ask you not to do something, you do it just one more time, making sure we are watching.
I love the little person you are becoming and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you.
What is your favorite color? Teal
What is your favorite toy? Shimmer and Shine toys
What is your favorite fruit? Apples
What is your favorite movie? The Greatest Showman
What is your favorite TV show? Shimmer and Shine
What is your favorite thing to wear? T shirt and shorts
What is your favorite animal? Cheetah
What is your favorite song? Greatest Showman Soundtrack
What is your favorite book? Llama Llama
Who is your favorite friend? Avery
What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks
What is your favorite drink? Apple juice
What is your favorite breakfast food? Pancakes
What is your favorite dinner? Waffles
What is your favorite place to go? South Carolina
What is your favorite game? Life
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with sidewalk chalk
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
What do you sleep with? Zebe and penguins/dolphins
What do you want to be when you grow up? A gymnastics teacher
Caleb:
You could spend all day building things out of LEGOS, no matter how challenging the set may be. You love using your little mind to invent and build things which I think will be important in whatever career you choose down the road. We love how easy going you remain, (we have enough emotional outbursts from your sisters!).
I love watching how easily you make friends. We can take you anywhere and you either know someone there already, or you find a friend and play with him the entire time. This reminds me so much of Justin. You also remain the jokester and it's fun watching the friendships you are building. You are a great friend and I hope this attribute continues throughout your life.
Very quickly you have picked up on reading and most importantly you are enjoying it! You completed your first season of soccer last spring and are back at it this fall. You really enjoy it and like running fast. You are still my best eater and least picky.
I'm so blessed to have a little boy and love doing "boy" things with you. Your smile, positive attitude and friendliness will take you far!
What is your favorite color? Red
What is your favorite toy? Legos
What is your favorite fruit? Apples
What is your favorite movie? Jumanji
What is your favorite TV show? Blaze
What is your favorite thing to wear? T shirt and shorts
What is your favorite animal? Lion
What is your favorite song? Greatest Showman Soundtrack
What is your favorite book?Ninja Turtle book
Who is your favorite friend? Cooper
What is your favorite snack? A granola bar
What is your favorite drink? Chocolate milk
What is your favorite breakfast food? Cinnamon roll
What is your favorite dinner? French Toast
What is your favorite place to go? A hotel
What is your favorite game? Cut the Wire
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump on the trampoline
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
What do you sleep with? Black/Red blanket
What do you want to be when you grow up? A scientist
