Grace and Juliet's 9th Birthday!!

For Grace and Juliet's 9th birthday, we returned to Chuck E Cheese!  It was the first time we had been back since before covid!  We had to delay it for a few weeks after their actual day, because April was a busy time for us!  So it was late April when we finally got to celebrate our girls!

We were able to use the art that the Helterbrands had already made up, and turned it into a birthday invitation postcard!

When I went out to find Hello Kitty & Ariel cake toppers, I was disappointed to find that they were just paper, I couldn't find any rings or figures like I was after, and they were quite expensive!

So, I relied on my old standby, buy some books and cut them up!

Once I cut out the image, I measured it to some scrap cardstock.

Then, glued it down with a toothpick between the two layers.

Then, cut around the figure one more time!

The picks had different sizes, but it wasn't too terrible.  It took me about 3 hours, but saved over $20, for something we were just going to throw away!  I was very pleased with the outcome.

The main topper had two sides: ariel on one and hello kitty on the reverse. = ) It also had 2 picks to keep it steady!

Kennedy very sweetly sat at the end of the table (next to the slightly creepy animatronics) because Juliet didn't want to. 

They were able to celebrate with so many of their favorite people!  Happy birthday to my babies!!!

Juliet used her shirt to catch some of the tickets, so she caught many more than Grace.  One of the benefits of going second, I suppose!

It was a fun day of games and cake and friends and food!  We're thankful to all those who came out to celebrate with us! = )

later days

you can see pictures of their party from last year here.

edit: written 6-17-23 backdated for continuity.

8 Year Old Birthday Party x4!

Grace and Juliet wanted to have a party for their birthday, and really wanted to have it with their BFFs.  Since Zoey's birthday is at the end of April, and Kennedy's is in May, we decided to have a quadruple party!!!

Since we hosted, we ended up making a lot of the decisions for all the birthday girls, and the twins wanted cupcakes instead of a cake.  So, we made yellow cupcakes and chocolate cupcakes. = )

Once we had some snacks and cake, it was time to open gifts!! Everyone had fun opening and watching each other open gifts. = )

I think all four girls (and my other children) had a wonderful time celebrating four of the best 8-year-olds that I know!

later days

Grace and Juliet turn 5!

I cannot believe that 5 years have passed since these little babies joined our family!  On their final night of being four-year-olds, they thought it was terribly clever to stick their tongues out while I took pictures, but I did get some genuine smiles. = )

Before bed on their final night as 4 year olds:

And then they were 5!

I know it's just a number, and they are still my babies and pre-schoolers and my little girls.  But I feel like a chapter has closed.  We have no more diapers or strollers or bottles.  In just a year's time they will no longer have a "T" behind the number in their clothing.  And it all happened so fast.

I'm so proud of their social & academic growth in the past year.  And seeing them interact is everything you would think it would be.  Many of their recent conversations end up with "you're not the boss." Which always makes me giggle.

They love to do the exact same things, which is amazing and terrible, depending on the minute.

Happiest of birthdays to my favorite twins in the whole wide world! You are so loved.

later days

You can see their birthday survey answers here & here.

Impressions 5, Inaugural Trip

For the twins' birthday, Billy and I decided on a membership to impressions 5, which is a local kids' science museum.  We used it before their big day, since last week was spring break.  Alice was the only child who had been, so it was an exciting trip for all of us!  

Our first stop was the water room.  We spent a long time playing in the water.  There was no pressure to try to 'fit everything' in, and it was so enjoyable to let them try it all, again and again.  Avia is a sport, and agreed to come with us. Hopefully lots and lots of times in the future too. = )

It worked out well, so we could split into pairs if some finished and were ready to move along.

With their new glasses, grace looks a lot like Juliet did in her old glasses. So, I'm identifying Grace here for future reference. = )

They currently have a massive train exhibit!

Our next stop was the bubble room:  

And then we played in the rest of the museum.  We took a short break for lunch, and then went right back to it!

I think Emily was just pointing, but it kind of looks like she's supporting her red raiders!

Emily pretended to be plaque.

William & his giant toothbrush to the rescue!

Before we left, I took the twins to the newborn-4 year old room.  It was the last time they will be able to go in, and they enjoyed going where the big kids couldn't; since it was their birthday gift, after all.

They enjoyed the locking zoo, and the baby doll, and the kitchen, and everything else. It reminded me a lot of the time we spent with Alice and Emily at the Houston Children's museum.  Such sweet memories that feel like an eternity ago.

We caught up to the big kids in the building zone.  But after spending 4 hours, thought it best to leave a little bit for next time. = )

Everyone was so excited to tell Daddy about it, we're already planning our next visit!

later days