Five?! Really?
We had planned to throw them a little party, but unfortunately the boys and I all came down with a stomach bug during the days leading up to their birthday, so we opted for a little family day instead. I think it was pretty awesome day by their standards.
They started out with some gifts, followed up by toast. Joy brought them some costumes to dress up in and lots of books, including their first copy of Dr. Seuss' Happy Birthday to You!
We lucked up and had gorgeous weather. It was definitely a day to enjoy the outdoors. After presents, breakfast, and cake frosting/decorating, we got ready and headed out to City Creek. We gave the boys a little birthday spending money and let them pick out whatever they wanted. Ben was thrilled to find a Zurg Blaster at the Disney Store. He first saw it at a store in Downtown Disney while we were in Florida and begged me for the better part of an hour for it. Needless to say, he was thrilled at the chance to get his paws on it. The boys got some playtime in at the kids dino play area, and after exchanging some clothes for them and a visit to the fountains, we headed out.
Zach opted to spend his loot at Toys R Us and thoroughly visited nearly every aisle, pausing and ogling over the toys that were all naturally outside his means. He finally made his picks after a little nudging, and on we went to enjoy the sunshine at Liberty Park. It was SO nice outside, and the boys had fun playing and chatting it up with the other kids and parents on the playground.
The boys have only been to an Arctic Circle once before, but when we passed one on the way to the park, they decided that's where they wanted to go for lunch. Maybe it had something to do with the creepy, buggy-eyed Spring creatures they wanted with their meals. I almost feel bad to admit that they quickly found their way to the trash can...almost!
I got extremely lazy this year with their cake and went the easy route with an edible image, slapped it on their cake and called it good. I promised myself after last year's cake drama that I wouldn't spend hours working on their cake(s) this year. I only have a mild case of guilt, and I think that's pretty good for me.
Since the boys' bellies were still a little off from their 24-hr bugs, they didn't have appetites and didn't hound us for birthday cake. We were able to hold off until late in the evening and had some special visitors join us for the blowing out of the candles. Bobby, Carrie and Archer (we felt incredibly lucky he came too) got their first chance to join us for the boys' birthday and it's definitely time they got a turn. We loved that they came to celebrate with us.
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| Ok, so what's the trick to getting a great cake/burning candles shot? I have yet to get a really good one, and I'd like to figure it out before next year. Tips anyone? |
I haven't allowed myself much time to contemplate this milestone. I'm kinda glad I've avoided it too. I can only think about it in small doses. I'm happy for what's to come for them and (as hard as it sometimes) their increasing need for more independence. I don't openly admit it to many, but halfway through the night the boys still find their way to our bed. Ben usually seeks out Darius and Zach finds me. I know it's not going to last much longer and that makes me very sad. Even with elbows and feet to the face, I never sleep as sound until one of my snuggle bugs is cuddled up next to me.
The boys recently got bunk beds and on most nights they sleep (half the night) together on the top bunk. Last night Ben was laying quietly next to a sleeping Zach, and I could just see the wheels turning in his head. I knew sleep wasn't visiting him anytime soon, so I invited him to get up and join me for a little while. He was full of questions and asked me if he was still five. I told him yes. He asked me what would happen if he wasn't five anymore. I told him after he was all done being five, he'd be six.
I'm happy that's still a year away.
