The Vogts: Four and a half

Addyson and Braden are officially 4 1/2.

Braden is 4 1/2 too even if he was in no mood to get his picture taken.

When did they decide it was ok to get so big???

We started out the day with pancakes - packed with chocolate chips, cut in half and stacked, covered in warm syrup, and with candles. That's really the only way to do it.

And the kids asked why there weren't more decorations. Sheesh. Apparently the 4 1/2 balloons hanging from the dining room light fixture or the streamers and ribbon on their chairs just weren't meeting their expectations.

We celebrated the fact that Braden's fever he's had for the last couple days disappeared during the night. Because preschool starts tomorrow - eek!!! And that fever needed to be gone because one twin going to the first day of preschool without the other sounds completely awful.

And on went the day. Some tractor riding, lunch, naps, fighting, arguing, sassing . . . .

I made noodles and sauce for supper which is definitely a favorite around here. But Braden informed me that today he didn't like it. Whatevs. At least they liked the juice boxes. :)

Daddy joined us and we had supper together.

Then it was time for half birthday cakes!!

They blew out their candles.

And Addyson informed me that it wasn't that bad. In a way where she totally meant that she didn't really like it so much. Chocolate cake, cream cheesy sugary cool whip with Oreos - what's not to like???

It was just one of those days around here. The ones where you kind of wonder just why it was that you attempted to love on any of them today.

Oh well, maybe when they're 35 they'll look back and enjoy it. Or maybe not.

But I hope they know they are loved. Because that is the main point anyway. I think it's pretty obvious I'm not looking to win a prestigious spot on Pinterest for my uncreative ideas. Loving them when it's all smiles and oohs and aahs is too easy after all. Where's the challenge in that? You're really loving them when it feels like it would be an easier and more tempting option not to.

I do love them all. Maybe tomorrow I'll find a way to show them that love in some way that they appreciate. Or maybe they just show their appreciation by whining and sassing. I think that must be it. And in that case they actually really appreciate every single little thing that I do :)

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to miss my two 4 1/2 year olds like crazy for the 2 1/2 hours they will be gone at preschool tomorrow.

Maybe that will give me more time to love on my not so happy 1 1/2 year old. Apparently she doesn't like getting left out of the half birthday celebration. Or she wanted to make sure I knew that she really, really appreciated me with some of that whining and sassing we were talking about :)