A Birthday Adventure

A birthday adventure

By Allan Olson

We officially made it five full years of raising twins this week. More importantly, maybe, is the fact that we’ve been parents for over eight years, and parents of four children for nearly four years. As any parent knows, raising one child can be a difficult task, and four can at times be a little challenging.

This past weekend we celebrated our twins’ fifth birthday with lots of family and some friends.

The countdown began several weeks ago, and eventually ended up in a countdown of days with large numbers posted on the wall, in the hope that they would use that as a reminder rather than pestering us with the incessant questions about the number of days before their birthday.

We decided that they would get their birthday presents early, and got them each a new bike. While they were both happy to have a new bike, Abigail was much more excited. The difference is, her first bike is too small for her long legs, and a used bike we had was in pretty rough shape after being greatly used by Nikolai first. This one fit her perfectly – colors and all. Marcus was, for the most part, happy with his bike, too. It fit him perfectly, and he could ride like the wind, unencumbered by training wheels, which the new bikes came with.

We brought the bikes home for them, and they both tried them out, riding them around the yard. Now remember, we gave them the bikes several days prior to their actual birthday. Marcus tried his once found it too slow, and said, “I have no use for this until I’m five.” It was like he automatically expected his legs to grow a little longer when he turned five. I will admit his statement got me a little frustrated. I was ready to take the bike back to the store I was so annoyed. I kept trying to coax him into riding it, but he remained adamant that he would not ride it until he was five.

The second day of the new bike ownership, mom took the training wheels off of Abigail’s bike, since she appeared to have mastered the balance concept.

I kept bugging Marcus for the next couple days, but he still wouldn’t budge.

Finally, on Sunday night – the day of his birthday – he asked me to take the training wheels off his bike. I said “No.” I explained that he could use Abigail’s bike and ride hers. If he could ride hers without the training wheels, then I would gladly do it.

The next thing I know, he walked out of the garage where I was and became a little man on a mission. He picked up his sister’s bike, got on and took off up the driveway. He proved he could do it by riding the bike back down the driveway and then up again.

I started looking for the wrench.

I guess he was right. He did need to wait until he was five.

That wasn’t the only part of the weekend where the two differed.

They both got what they wanted for a birthday cake this year – a request that is usually easy to honor. Abigail got her doll cake, and Marcus his Transformer cake. The difference: Abigail kept staring at her cake, sitting all pretty at the kitchen table, and we all wondered how long it would be before an accident occurred. A simple solution, the bosses (mom and grandma) hid the cake. That poor girl searched all over for her cake (she was worried about the doll in her cake) and couldn’t find it.

Marcus looked at his cake – a Transformer, declared it good (except that it wouldn’t transform), and then ignored it until the day of the party, when he wanted it for breakfast.

Late in the afternoon on Saturday it was time to unwrap presents.

Abigail unwrapped everything in a flourish. She couldn’t open them fast enough, and had wrapping paper strewn all about.

Marcus was much more studious about his unwrapping process, carefully unwrapping each present and giving mom each piece of garbage.

They were both happy with their gifts, and while I’ve forgotten most of what they received, I’m certain they could quickly tell me what they got.

Another special guest that day was the baby. A brand new cousin made his first guest appearance at a birthday party. Marcus held him once and was done. Abigail, on the other hand, was a little mother hen, and much to the nervousness of others, tried to carry the baby by herself because now she is a big girl. After all, she is five.

The weekend was a blast, and the last five years have sure gone by fast.

One thing I am sure of is that this time next year will be just as entertaining.