Birthday Boys

We just finished the birthday marathon week.  Gabe and Zach's birthdays are five days apart so it makes for a busy week.  I still haven't figured out our traditions so it can get a bit busy especially since there are two celebrations back to back.  We made pancake breakfasts for both of them and then we celebrate at dinner with a dinner of their choice and cake.  This year, I tried to make small cakes for them this year so we don't have a ridiculous amount of cake that we "have" to eat!  We were supposed to have a party for them both but it will be in a few weeks since Zach ended up with a fever on his big day that lasted through the weekend.

For whatever reason, this year, both boys were really into their birthday and the fact that they were so much older.  The morning after Gabe's birthday he said many times, out of the blue, "Oh! I'm six.  I almost forgot I was six because I'm new at it!"  And Zach kept reviewing all the things he will now do since he's a "big boy"--go potty, clean up after himself, etc.  All stuff he does anyway so I'm not sure what his definition really is.  It was also good to see Zach so confident and excited about his birthday.  He called everyone to the table for his cake--"My cake is here.  Everyone sit down!"  And before we were halfway through singing Happy Birthday, he calmly blew out the candles and was asking for the candles out so we could eat.

Gabe will be starting piano lessons now that he's six and Zach will be taking a t-ball class.  I look at them and I do wonder where the time has gone.  I love seeing them each growing up, learning new things, being such good friends and loving Jesus.  I love being their mom, sorting out the fights, teaching them, playing with them, learning more about their personalities, cuddling them when they need extra hugs or when they are sick.  Being a parent is hard work, and even though I sometimes grumble about the messes or piles of paperwork around my house, I wouldn't trade the messes for anything else.