I can't believe these girls are TWO! We've been singing Happy Birthday to them all week to warm them up to the idea. Devon would always interject that it was actually HIS birthday and make us sing it again.
The day started with an attempt to take a "nice picture" of the new outfits sent from Auntie Laura. This was the nicest one.
Over breakfast the girls opened cards from Grammy and Grandpa.
Our birthday destination was the Brevard Zoo. Devon heartily approved and still insisted that it was really his birthday.
The first stop was the giraffes. Carrie and Melina wore their elephant and monkey leashes, fitting right in and enjoying the semi-freedom of walking around. Say what you will about leashing your children like animals, but it does provide respite from those moments that twins will dart in different directions at the same time. It also makes it pretty clear which child you're in charge of at any moment, avoiding the awkwardness when you each think the other is watching and realize that someone's wandered off.
The girls enjoyed the bansai garden
and the bird house, always a favorite. "Duckie!" they shouted eagerly.
Yet another advantage of the leashed morning is that everyone was tired and ready to sit down at the same time. We set the stage for our birthday picnic.
We need to photoshop the two previous pictures together into one that shows each twin with their best expression.
We lingered over lunch, enjoying our big girls.
Candles never light outdoors, but we sang the birthday song and enjoyed our cake.
Before the drive home, Mommy peeked into the gift shop to choose a birthday surprise for the girls. Devon got Raffy the Giraffy at the age of two as a tangible memory of his first favorite zoo animal. I chose a River Otter for Melina and a Macaw Parrot for Carrie. On the drive home, Melina enjoyed peeking into the bag and pulling out her surprise.
There were many more surprises at home for the birthday girls. I suppose it wasn't so surprising that the girls ripped out their birthday barettes and had hair hanging in their faces for the photoshoot, but we didn't want to interrupt the fun.
Even Devon got a present: two new metal cars he immediately named Finn and Gorsha.
Wow. What fun!
We attempted a nice family picture. Mommy and Daddy look a little desperate to make the kids look and smile, but overall it turned out well.
The last gifts were new backpacks from Mama and Papa. The girls decided the gifts were meant to go together. They put their new backpacks on their backs, new play heels on their feet, and Cinderella and Zoo Animal under each arm.
"Bye bye, Mommy, see you wayyter!" They called, walking back and forth between the couch and the door.
We finished the night with a Skype session, telling Grammy and Grandpa all about the fun.
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