The big 4 finally arrived. I know everyone thinks it's the big 4-0 that is a milestone but no, it is the little known just plain 4, yep the one that comes after 3. At least to Grace and Lydia. They have been talking about all the changes that come with 4 since they turned 3 I think. Some common phrases being "Will I get to drink caffeine like mommy when I'm 4? " "I am going to be a mommy when I'm 4!" " I am going to drive a car when I'm 4" and the list goes on and on. In actuality not much is changing except that they now have to take at least 4 bites of the whatever non-toddler staple I'm forcing them to eat (oh the horrors of fruits and veggies) instead of 3 but nevertheless it has been exciting month finally arriving at 4.
So, of course a party had to be planned. Unfortunately the girls are not immune to whatever drug Disney puts in the water that causes little girls to become princess obsessed so the chosen theme by G & L was a princess party (I am cringing and eye rolling at myself at the mere words 'party theme' and 'princess party'). I made tutus, bought crowns for the girls to decorate and even bought some dollar store wands they could whack each other with (we always have to have some kind of weapon disguised as a toy just to keep it interesting--last year it was punch balloons). Amanda the amazing cake and cupcake wizard graced us with her baked goods yet again and the girls had adorable princess cakes (see below). The party was fun for all especially the kids--and do you know how I know this? No fewer than 4 kids peed their pants. This is my new objective method of measuring the success of a preschool aged party--by how many kids pee their pants.
Speaking of pants peeing problems, the most memorable part of their 4th birthday was on their actual birthday which was a few days after the party. We of course started the day at Northstar as is our tradition and then after that wanted to go to 'train park', a park near our house. We were at the park about 15 minutes when Grace starts yelling from the top of the slide "I'm having an accident, I'm peeing!"and I look up to see pee filling up her orange rubber boots and dripping down through the metal grates to the playground below. As I'm cleaning her up and trying to reassure her that's it is no big deal, all the while trying to keep my eye on kamikaze Ben who likes to wander off an older lady approaches me and tells me 'your daughter had an accident'. It was all I could do to hold back a rude comment because obviously I was dealing with said accident as I stripped off Grace's soaked leggings and boots. Then I realized she was talking about Lydia who was halfway up a rope ladder just peeing away and hollering about it very similar to Grace about 5 seconds earlier. I had never had dual twin pants peeing in all of our potty training days to date and yet here we were on their 4th birthday, both of them soaked, waddling and crying all the way to the car. They got strapped in their carseats in ONLY their "I am 4 t-shirts" and nothing else which will make for a great pic in a wedding slide show someday.
Of course I have to tap into my sentimental side and reflect on how blessed we are to have these two princess 4 year olds in our lives. They are both unique in their own ways. In the past I have commented on their different personalities and it is interesting how they each have continued in the same vein since infancy. They are both outgoing and friendly in their own ways. Grace is always flitting and dancing around like a happy firefly always wanting to socialize and interact. Although Lydia is often the first one to make a new friend at the park she also is very comfortable in her own skin playing by herself or doing her own thing. Grace is our morning girl and pops into our room bright and early every day to 'cuddle'. While Lydia struggles a bit more in the morning department and I have been half tempted to bring her a toddler dose of espresso in the mornings and see if that might improve the morning mood a bit. They are best friends and worst enemies all at the same time (but mostly friends). They are affectionate and caring, inquisitive and funny. We are thankful that God has blessed us with these girls and look forward to many more themed parties and sentimental blog posts in the future.
So, of course a party had to be planned. Unfortunately the girls are not immune to whatever drug Disney puts in the water that causes little girls to become princess obsessed so the chosen theme by G & L was a princess party (I am cringing and eye rolling at myself at the mere words 'party theme' and 'princess party'). I made tutus, bought crowns for the girls to decorate and even bought some dollar store wands they could whack each other with (we always have to have some kind of weapon disguised as a toy just to keep it interesting--last year it was punch balloons). Amanda the amazing cake and cupcake wizard graced us with her baked goods yet again and the girls had adorable princess cakes (see below). The party was fun for all especially the kids--and do you know how I know this? No fewer than 4 kids peed their pants. This is my new objective method of measuring the success of a preschool aged party--by how many kids pee their pants.
Speaking of pants peeing problems, the most memorable part of their 4th birthday was on their actual birthday which was a few days after the party. We of course started the day at Northstar as is our tradition and then after that wanted to go to 'train park', a park near our house. We were at the park about 15 minutes when Grace starts yelling from the top of the slide "I'm having an accident, I'm peeing!"and I look up to see pee filling up her orange rubber boots and dripping down through the metal grates to the playground below. As I'm cleaning her up and trying to reassure her that's it is no big deal, all the while trying to keep my eye on kamikaze Ben who likes to wander off an older lady approaches me and tells me 'your daughter had an accident'. It was all I could do to hold back a rude comment because obviously I was dealing with said accident as I stripped off Grace's soaked leggings and boots. Then I realized she was talking about Lydia who was halfway up a rope ladder just peeing away and hollering about it very similar to Grace about 5 seconds earlier. I had never had dual twin pants peeing in all of our potty training days to date and yet here we were on their 4th birthday, both of them soaked, waddling and crying all the way to the car. They got strapped in their carseats in ONLY their "I am 4 t-shirts" and nothing else which will make for a great pic in a wedding slide show someday.
Of course I have to tap into my sentimental side and reflect on how blessed we are to have these two princess 4 year olds in our lives. They are both unique in their own ways. In the past I have commented on their different personalities and it is interesting how they each have continued in the same vein since infancy. They are both outgoing and friendly in their own ways. Grace is always flitting and dancing around like a happy firefly always wanting to socialize and interact. Although Lydia is often the first one to make a new friend at the park she also is very comfortable in her own skin playing by herself or doing her own thing. Grace is our morning girl and pops into our room bright and early every day to 'cuddle'. While Lydia struggles a bit more in the morning department and I have been half tempted to bring her a toddler dose of espresso in the mornings and see if that might improve the morning mood a bit. They are best friends and worst enemies all at the same time (but mostly friends). They are affectionate and caring, inquisitive and funny. We are thankful that God has blessed us with these girls and look forward to many more themed parties and sentimental blog posts in the future.
