I did take up the issue with my mother. It didn't go well. She essentially told me that she was numero uno growing up as the first of five children, I was the big cheese as the first grandchild in the family, and now Isabella is wearing the crown as the first great-grandchild. And oh yes, "there's nothing like the first." It is maddening and hurtful and insane, all at the same time, but it's not an issue that's going anywhere soon, so to preserve the dangling shreds of my mental health, I am dropping it until the next flagrant violation, which should occur in approximately two months.
On to the celebration for my second-class citizens!
The morning of their actual birthday, the twins awoke to surprises on their highchairs. Since the theme of their party was Elmo and Abby, I gave them little buckets, crayons, and books, all with the characters on them. Thank you, Target dollar bins!
Crayons are taboo for Luci and Nicholas unless they're under some serious supervision. This is a rare shot of them using the crayons on paper. They usually prefer other surfaces, such as floors, walls, and their own teeth.
And now it's time for the posed birthday photo part of the celebration, always an event guaranteed to send mama straight to the liquor store upon unsuccessful completion.
What's that? Two two-year-olds smiling simultaneously, and neither has their eyes closed or food on their face? I'm buying a lottery ticket instead of vodka this year!
Don't worry, they're still the same hellcats they were at age one. The lovely grins lasted approximately .00002 seconds, and then it was back to our regularly scheduled programming.
The twins received a train table for their birthday. All three kiddos love it, although Isabella, clearly forgetting that she has lived in the International House of Chaos and Mayhem for the past two years, had a slight meltdown as the pieces started hitting the floor: "They're going to mess it all up!!!"
After dinner, we celebrated with cupcakes. None of the kids liked them.
We had their party last Sunday. My sister painted this awesome sign for them, a gift she creates for the kids on their birthdays every year.
Yes, I stood them on top of a chair. It's not like they don't climb them (and the dining room table too) every chance they get. We like to live dangerously here.
A friend pointed out how similarly Luci and Isabella look in this photo, something I've never noticed until now. Isabella and Nicholas have always been the pair to look alike.
Here are the cakes, made by the same person who has made all the kids' cakes. We make a one-hour round trip to pick up these cakes (she lives in the middle of nowhere), but it is so worth it.
We sing to them individually, and this year we sang to Nicholas first.
And then it was present time.
Luci and Nicholas sat demurely on the couch, patiently awaiting Isabella, who delivered each gift without first helpfully ripping into it herself. Upon opening each gift, Luci and Nicholas graciously thanked the giver, scribbled off a "thank you" note, and moved on to carefully open the next present.
As if.
The aftermath.
Didn't they look like this, just five seconds ago?
I think we'll have one more year of utter insanity, and then things will begin to settle down? Right?
Right?
Two-Year-Old Checkup Stats
Luci
Weight: 23 pounds, 13.5 ounces (10th percentile)
Length: 31 1/4 inches (less than 5th percentile)
Nicholas
Weight: 27 pounds, 15 ounces (50th percentile)
Length: 33 inches (10th percentile)
So adorable. I love those cakes. They look like they'd be worth the hour drive, that's for sure. I love that you sing to them individually. Your sister's signs are amazing. Do you keep them, or take pics and sadly get rid of them?
Your mama needs a serious awakening. I'm so, so sorry. I think she's incredibly self-centered and immature.
Sorry to hear the talk with your mom didn't go well. Arrgghh ....
But those pictures are just too (or should that be two?) cute!
Ahhh family ... can't live with 'em, wouldn't exist without them. *sigh*
On to happier topics. CUTE KIDS! Your second class citizens had no reason to balk this go-around. What a great party! Happy b'day to them. I know they're totally worth the insanity. :)
You and Rich make some adorable babies. And that is all I have to say about that.
I'm sorry your mom is making things more difficult, but I don't know any realistic ways to deal with that, if you know talking doesn't work. Blatant threats? (kidding! I kid!)
So many parts of this post made me laugh out loud! What a fun, if not frantic, celebration. :-D
I'm marveling that at two, Nicholas isn't much lighter than my five-year-old!
Two.... Seriously. I remember your pregnancy announcement! Crazy.
Happy Birthday guys!
Yay, happy birthday my favorite twins (really!). I also love seeing the posters your sister creates for the kids' birthdays.
And my preschooler wants to say, "That's sad," to hear Isabella has not one (like him) little siblings messing up a train table, but TWO.