A Half a Decade!

It has been a fast 5 years..... gone are the sleepless nights, the bottles, the baby equipment...they have all been replaced with Lego's, Razor Scooters, Pencils, markers, scissors/glue sticks, tie tennis shoes, soccer shin pads, basketballs and lunch boxes. These two little boys are my greatest accomplishment and biggest challenge.  Two 5 year old boys have ALOT of energy.  Much more then mom and dad have! They are full of ideas, laughs and negotiations. Each year, when I sit down to write this particular birthday blog I always take a few minutes to read through past birthday posts... and I'm reminded how much I love this blog for capturing the little details of every day life, the things I hope to never forget.  I hope that some day each boy will look back at this blog and have a snap shot into the life they lived! That some day when they are married and have kids that they may find some striking similarities between themselves and their son/daughter.

Benjamin:
You NEVER STOP AMAZING US!  From the moment we found out it was twins, to the moment of the premature rupture, to the day you were born and we feared you wouldn't live... you not only survived but you have thrived!  Each and every day you challenge me and daddy!  You are smart, quick witted and tenacious.... just like your uncle Adam.  You remind me of your Godfather everyday, you were built from the same mold.... charismatic, opinionated, a heart of gold.  You pay attention to detail, you don't give the easy answer... you always think outside the box.  You are the idea guy... and often times this leads to fights with Nathan as he too thinks you have great ideas and often wants to join in! You love to be outside, to snuggle in the corner of the couch and are constantly asking for a snack! You are a fantastic Big Brother... you will do pretty much anything for Allison.  You are sweet and dear to her, you teach her new things and always want to be by her. You are the only one who calls Nathan "Nate" and I love that special connection you have. You are a hard worker and are usually good about helping with chores or picking up toys. You much prefer a nice warm tubby vs a shower. You like sports, but you also like to be good at sports, you are frustrated if you aren't an expert the first time you try something. I never count you out, just when I think you have given up... you come on strong and conquer.  You are not a "YES" man... you will do it when you are good and ready to do it.  Although some times I wish you would comply more often, I'm often reminded that adults who do great things were not the ones who always said yes, or blindly repeat back facts.... the Steve Jobs or cardiac surgeons or entrepreneurs of the world look at things from a different perspective then the main stream, they test the limits and attempt to do what  hasn't been done... I'm not sure what life will bring your way but I do know that you are up for the challenge.

Nathan:
You are tender and dear but stubborn! When your mind is set on something it is hard for you to let it go! You have natural talent and you learn things easily.  You have had a wonderful school year, and I'm so proud of all that you have learned.... you are so ready for kindergarten in the fall! You like routine and do well when expectations are placed on you. You are a wonderful Big Brother and try to teach Allison new things like signing "more" and "all done."  Benjamin will always be #1 in your mind, you follow him, you fight with him, you love him and you always want to be by him. You are always up for a hug and a snuggle. You are a fabulous eater... however you often try and test us by proclaiming things such as "are you making something that we like for dinner, or no?"  You are an outdoor kid, hot or cold you love playing outside. You are excelling at swimming! You are determined and are willing to practice until you have mastered. However, recently you have started saying "I can't...," I think its a stage and often your words don't follow your actions because you almost always CAN.  You don't love to do house work or clean up toys, but you do love to cook! You love technology, especially taking photos!  You really like to take showers.  I often think of you as a confident kid (which you are), but you often get shy in front of new people or people of authority.   You love drinking really cold water and riding on rides at the fair!  I love that you don't say your "L"s... I know it will go away soon enough though.  Just like daddy you LOVE science experiments, and both you and your brother are scientists at heart.

Favorite Foods:
Benjamin: bananas, berries, shrimp, pigs in a blanket, chicken with sweat and sour sauce, salmon, hard boiled eggs, chocolate and skittles (but you call them skitters).
Nathan: Pepper Jack cheese (AKA Spicy cheese), blow pops, pigs in a blanket, broccoli, mac n cheese, oranges, watermelon, pomegranates, lobster.

Favorite Books:
Benjamin: Highlights High Five Magazine, Froggy books, Non fiction books
Nathan: Paw Patrol books, Fly Guy and Magic Tree House

Favorite Toys:
Benjamin: marble run, kinetic sand, remote control cars,  hot wheels track, Tinker toys, rescue bots
Nathan: leap pad Rescue Bot game, zoomie cars, magna tiles, Twister, Super Why the game

Sleeping:
Benjamin: likes to sleep in super soft "comfy" Pjs and always takes his shirt off to actually sleep. sleeps with lots of stuffed animals but his favorites are his blue blanket, gramma blanket, Stomper and Igby. He wakes up early in the morning and often says "But my friends wake me up!"
Nathan: Will wear any PJs, sleeps with a shirt on, needs his yellow blanket, Gramma blanket, bear bear, his care bear and what ever other stuff animal he is currently attached to!

Things They love!
Nathan:
* Riding on the Jet Ski FAST!
* Riding his two wheel bike
* Swimming- with goggles! He loves diving down for dive sticks and was quite brave this summer
* Writing/ drawing on a white board
* Donut date days at Kowalskis
Benjamin:
* Fishing
* Riding in boats
* sledding and shoveling
* midnight snacks with daddy
* watching football with daddy (however I think this is a bedtime stall tactic)

Memories:
* Being Ring Bears in Stephen and Christine's wedding
* Learning to ride two wheel bikes
* Swim lessons
*baseball, basketball and floor hockey
* learning to Ice skate
* Nailing down the ABCs
* Movie Nights
* End of our time at Peace of Mind
* Baby Steps 3K walk
* Becoming Big Brothers

Our Favorite Places to go!
* Circus
* Good Time Park
* Science Museum
* Candy Land
* Date Days
*Apple Orchards
* Lake Elmo Beach
* Madison, WI
* Edinbourgh Park
* FAIRS (MN, Washington county and Woodbury)