This week our dog turned 9, our only daughter turned 6 and our triplet boys turned 4. Yes, even with five kids (our oldest will be 8 in November), I can remember the dog's birthday -- after all, he was our first child! As for my daughter, she had "the best birthday ever" and we were thrilled. She had a dance party with classmates, a slumber party with her best friend and enough candy, cupcakes and popcorn to last until she turns 7.
The triplets didn't have a party (every day with them is kind of a party!) but they still had a great day -- a day punctuated by some classic kid quotes that make me want to bottle them up and keep them small forever. Here are a few of my faves from the past few days:
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- 7 a.m. on 10/9: "Ma, can you believe we're going to be 4 tomorrow?!" Um, no little buddy, I can't. It feels like you were just born yesterday. And frankly, considering my saggy belly, it looks like it, too!
- 7 a.m. on 10/10 (their birthday): "Hi Ma! Are our friends here yet?" Sadly, no. And, while I hate to disappoint you before your birthday breakfast, your friends won't be coming. You've only been in preschool for two weeks; I don't know who your friends are or, for that matter, if you even have them. What I do know is that your sister has lots of friends and they just left -- can we plan your party for next week? Or month?
- 12 p.m. en route to diner for lunch: "Ma, it's raining, you better turn your swipers on!" Swipers. Not wipers. Oh how I love the silly sweet mixed-up things they say. So much so that I will not correct them. Let them think they are swipers forever!
- 1 p.m. en route to apple/pumpkin picking (rain be damned!): "Hey Ma look, I think they are building a pumpkin patch over there!" Um, no sport, that is your basic road-side construction site but love that imagination! And, more than that, I love your ability to see the good and beauty in everything in the world around you. If we all had just a small dose of your wide-eyed wonder, I am convinced the world would be a better place.
- 2 p.m. at orchard, in rain, as I read aloud a sign proclaiming, "Orchard closed today," I heard from the peanut gallery, "This sucks!" Oh, from the mouths of babes! Wherever did they hear such a thing?! I have to agree though, this SUCKS!
- 3 p.m.: Side orchard is open, rain has stopped, sun is shining, apple picking is underway: "Ma look, that tree littered and left its apples on the ground! Will it go to jail?" Whoa. Looks like we may have exaggerated a bit on the penalty for littering. And note to self: remind them that trees aren't subject to the laws of the land; they are the land!
- 4 p.m.: Driving home, discussing birthday dinner: "Seriously Mom, apples are NOT dessert! Duh!" (with accompanying expressive hand gestures). And there you have it -- my 4-year-olds are smartie pants. And completely irresistible with those hand gestures and big grown-up words like "seriously" and "actually." Too cute. And of course apples aren't dessert... not on your birthday, anyway!
- 7 a.m. on 10/11: "Mom, are we 5 now?!" Oh geez, not yet my friends. Please don't wish away 4. You are so funny and sweet and earnest and squeezable and even more delicious than all those apples. Please stay this way. At least for the next 364 days until you turn 5. Because then you might not need me quite as much, you might not say "swipers" and seriously, I think that would suck!