My Birthday Twins

- April 28, 2016

I'm not sure if it is because these two kiddos share a birthday or if their personalities just make it possible but I love the relationship these two have. Rachel is so patient and kind with John & has a way of getting him to accomplish whatever task is needed. John has an innate trust & respect for Rachel that is very sweet to witness.

A blessing of their unique bond with one another is that they are OK with & enjoy sharing a birthday together each year.

Rachel knew what she was getting this year (there was only one thing she wanted & I told her if she got that, that would probably be to only present that she got) and was SOOO excited to open it that presents were first on the agenda this year. I think she was already building before John was through opening his present.

As usual I think John would have been happy to just receive wrapping paper for his birthday but he did find his new Remote Control truck to be pretty awesome!

Part of me wonders if the RC was more for Paul than John, but it really makes no difference because John is just as happy to chase the RC while Paul "drives" it. And besides it gives them something that they can enjoy together.

For a longtime I have been hearing Rachel request a chocolate cake from Costco for her birthday. Apparently she had one while she was visiting the Jessees one summer and has been in love ever since. Unfortunately we do not have a Costco close by, so she had to settle for a from scratch chocolate cake made by mom.

To make up for the disappointment we opted for "color flame" candles. They were pretty cool, smelly but cool.

When it comes time for the wish that accompanies the blowing out of the candles I sometimes know exactly what the kiddo is wishing for but other times I have no idea. The picture below captured an expression that makes "inquiring minds want to know". She already got the present of her dreams . . . I wonder what else she was wishing for?

Despite these kiddos sharing a birthday, I always make them each their own cake. This year I was wishing I didn't. I offered to make John an ice cream cake - or rather a cake with a layer of ice cream & a layer of cake. I was traveling in uncharted territory on this one and quickly discovered that it was harder than it looked. I now have great respect for Baskin and Robbins and appreciate the cost of their cakes. Thankfully John is not picky when it comes to sweets.