Five years. Wow.

Well they are officially 5. Five years has come and gone. I'm still in shock. M & Em were so excited today tho. They really enjoyed their bday parties. As overwhelming as it was for me, they just soaked it all in and were just so proud. I am proud. Of them. They have grown so much and I know that's due in part to me and hubby. They are really wonderful kids.

Here's the breakdown of their parties...
Saturday the 17th (St. Patty's day) they had their 'kid' party at the bowling alley. It went great! Thank goodness for my parents tho. They really kept things going and orderly! It was pretty chaotic! 13 was definitely too many kids to have at a bowling party. But I think they all enjoyed themselves! I made a bowling lane cake out of cupcakes which turned out ok. I got a few compliments on it. (or they were being really nice. ;) hehe!) The kids bowled for an hour and 15 min and then we ate cupcakes & juice/water and then bowled a little more and then they went home! I made my own favors which came out nice I think too. Overall a good party! (Note to self tho, make sure to add in hand wipes and name tags next time around!)

Sunday the 18th (today) was the family party. (Mostly in-laws, but my parents are in town so I just say 'family.') The kids LOVED all the attention... OH and all the gifts of course! They got so much stuff, it might have been better then Christmas!! The few kids that were there played in the playroom and the adults socialized. Then the twins opened their gifts. Then we ate dinner. Then we cleaned up. Then we ate cake & ice cream and of course sang happy birthday! M & Em love blowing out their own candles and this year they had their own CAKE too! Not just a piece but a whole cake! (There was 30 people here, so we had to feed a lot!) They loved that they had their own cake tho -and one they liked! Max had a vanilla frosted cake and Emily had a chocolate frosted one! And of course they also played with at least half their toys. And I have to mention here that opening toys is a real PITA. I mean screwing in toys is just nuts. COME ON! If someone is really willing to rip off a toy and all the wires, LET THEM HAVE IT! :P But like the good parent I opened whichever toy they wanted. Hubby did all the cooking etc. He loves that part. Thank goodness. hehe!

Again, the whole party was a success I think. I'm pooped. I should be in bed, but felt the need to jot it all down. I don't have many memories from previous birthdays (aside from their first) and I wanted this one to be somewhat of a memorable one too. It's a big one to me. My babies are growing up. I know they have a lot more to go, but this is just one of those special ages. They aren't babies, they aren't toddlers, they aren't just 'the twins' anymore. They aren't a package, but separate entities now. And for years to come. I can't keep them neutral from the gender roles that are ahead of them. Hopefully they will come into their own this next year. But what a bittersweet year it will be.