duht-dah-daaahhh.... we're 4!!!

Yup, somehow, they have continued to grow despite my begging and ordering them to stay little. Let's just say, although I am sad to see them growing up so fast, I am happy to leave age 3 behind us. I am placing too much trust in friends and even strangers who assure me that age 3 was also the worst with their twins and that age 4 is going to be better! Just the other day at that cool fabric store, one lady had 18 yr old boy-girl twins and she said age 3 was definitely the worst.

We'll see... for now, I have some old rose colored glasses I can pull out to wear. Hope the prescription is current.

So, on Friday morning, November 20th we kicked off our day bright and early with Tracey arriving for speech therapy at 8:30. Carl wasn't even dressed - she almost caught him in his birthday suit! Lew always takes the twins' birthday off from work to do something special, so after speech, Daddy, Mommy & Grammie brought the kids to school for a birthday snack with their class. For pre-school, you aren't allowed to bake anything for parties. Any treats sent in have to be prepared in a commercial setting. Something to do with allergies, but more to do with the Unknown Kitchen Ick factor, I think. No problem... Carl won't eat cake or cupcakes anyway. Last year, he brought fig newtons! This year, we brought those little ice cream dixie cups. Vanilla, of course. Carl won't eat ice cream if it isn't pure plain vanilla. All their friends sang, we ate, took pictures and the twins got classroom presents. We all bring in a $5 gift at the beginning of the year so each child gets a prize on their birthday. Kind of neat. Gretchen got Playdough, Carl got Moon Sand. Kind of funny to be both sensory play things.

(disclaimer: I am not a fan of selective coloring at all, but here I was trying to separate them from their teacher for another site, and just used the photo here as well.)

We then headed over to our favorite play place downtown. They have gone on their birthday for the past 3 birthdays now! That's a tradition... something you don't get a lot of when you move every 2 years. (Have you been keeping track? We have been here for 2 years 7 months so far!! Our record in one place is 2 years 10 months... we are close to shattering that!!!!!!!)
It was Community Helpers Day at the play place, so there were a lot of cool things going on. A firetruck, police car, recycling truck, cherry picker truck were all outside as well as a troupe of professional kite fliers. Yes, the sign said they were professionals. Inside there was a builder and a dentist, and the snack that day was provided by a pastry shoppe. Now, keep score on this: 9:30 am was ice cream at school. Now, 11:00 am there are gourmet cupcakes. Carl wouldn't eat his, so Gretchen had 2! But the highlight of the morning was a performance by the Singing Firemen! We saw these guys at the kids' pre-school a few months ago and loved them there. I don't know who was happier to see them on the schedule for the morning, me or Carl. Even Grammie had fun watching them dance and sing - "they were just regular firemen up there having fun!" Carl had a ball dancing and clapping and cheering!! At one point, he was even up with them, facing the audience and dancing along! Gretchen thought they were too loud, so she stayed in the art room and colored while listening to the songs. I got her to come out for one song, but she quickly headed back to her artwork. After we left there, we stopped and let them choose a balloon from the party store... then off to Wendy's for lunch. It's one of Carl's current favorites. And, Grammie & Mommy like being able to order a baked potato with a fast food lunch. Well, after lunch, the lady behind the counter asked Gretchen about her #4 shirt and once she learned it was their birthday, she gave them each (she asked Lew first) a small Frosty. Add 1:30 pm more ice cream to the dessert tally we started above!

They did actually nap! And then, for dinner... Carl chose chicken nuggets and Gretchen wanted a grilled peanut butter/ fluff/ M&M sandwich. Followed of course, by singing, candles, cake & ice cream!! So, 7:00 add more junk food. What a food day!!!
After dinner, we opened presents. Carl loved all his cards!! Especially the envelopes - with each one, he held it up and sang the Blue's Clues song "We Just Got A Letter!" After a lot of fun opening and playing with new toys, we finally got the birthday buddies into bed! A good time was had by all!! Except when Gretchen loses a game. We need to work on that "it's fun just to play the game" skill with her! Ask Grammie how much "fun" it was to play Hungry Hungry Hippos with her! hoooo doogies!!

Here's the tent that Grandma sent. Lew had it set up for them in the morning. The cats like it, too.
Good Night, Birthday Twins!! You can kind of see, they each have a new special twin doll from Grammie in their bed, raggedy Ann & Andy. They also has their new monkeys from Mommy in bed, too. Gretchen is showing you hers. See the cool snowman looking pumpkin thing? A friend gave them that on Halloween. The faces light up with little fiber optic thingies. We've been using it as a night light for them. It's cool! Thanks so much, Judy!!

I have decided that turning four is a crazy fun time. This December, I will be turning 4 instead of 41, OK? And I want M&Ms in my lunch sandwich!