Nathaniel and Isabelle's 8th Birthday

Friday was the twins' eighth birthday. Eight. That sounds all kinds of old to me and they really are growing up and maturing quickly. Isabelle and Nathaniel were very excited about their birthday and they went easy on me this year--they both agreed, instantly, on a snack for me to make to bring to class, and they both agreed instantly on the type of birthday cake they wanted. This meant that I was making only one treat for school, 20 treats instead of 40 (for the last time because next year they will be different classes) and for the first time ever, I made only one birthday cake for the two of them.

They also agreed on their birthday breakfast--cinnamon rolls. They woke up together in the same bed, Nathaniel's bunk bed, since they always love to sleep together on their birthday.

For their birthday snacks at school, I made mini marbled cheesecakes. Before heading up to church for Mass, I dropped the cheesecakes off at school and Jeremiah and I were able to sit with the twins at Mass with their class, so that was very special. They had their birthday treats after Mass was over.

After school, they were excited for their presents, but I told them they had to wait until Daddy came home.
Finally, after they got a snack and got ready for swimming, I let them open their sibling gifts. Gabriel got Nathaniel a gift and Jeremiah got Isabelle a gift. Nathaniel loved his Halo set and Isabelle was excited to get Elizabeth's Riding Outfit. Elizabeth and her clothes had been discontinued at the end of 2010, but I bought up the clothes for her and put them aside for future gifts.

Then we went to swim team. After swim team, Daddy was home with bunches of balloons and we got busy cooking their birthday dinner, a special request for cream of crab soup, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and peas. While dinner was cooking, the twins opened their other gifts. Isabelle got a Beyblade and the accessories for a new American Girl doll, and then finally she got to open her big gift--Marie Grace. She was thrilled.

Nathaniel got a double bladed Nerf Sword, a Nerf Ax, Nerf Throwing Stars, two Beyblades and a remote controlled stunt car. He was also thrilled, especially with all his new Nerf Equipment. Then it was time for dinner, which we ate quickly so we could get to the cheesecake.

The special request was for a double chocolate cheesecake with a brownie crust and chocolate drizzles on top. They were very excited for their cake. We sung happy birthday, ate cake and sent them off to bed since it was after 10:00 already.

They had a really nice day and it was a special day for me to, because it was my "Mother's Day," the day I became a mother. I enjoyed having time to relax and play with the twins and celebrate and share their joy with them. I enjoyed looking back at the past year with them on their birthday video and marvelling at God's goodness and grace.