QC: TWINS' UNDER THE SEA DRIVE-BY BIRTHDAY

I know it's June July, but I never posted about the twins' birthday party back in April.  Better late than never.  And though this is obviously not the birthday I had had in mind for them, it turned out to be a lot of fun.  Drive by parties really let you maximize balloons, so that was a bonus.  And, the twins loved it and felt celebrated.  Plus there was less overall cleanup.  All in all, drive by parties have some things I might keep in the end, because it was a quick, fun way to make the twins feel special and get to see friends.



As usual, my sister designed the cutest invite for the event, highlighting sharks and mermaids.

The girls and I blew up a BUNCH of balloons.

We had cake with family a couple of days before the party.

And our birthday twins thoroughly enjoyed the day.  We had The Little Mermaid soundtrack going, a bubble machine and snacks to pass out as friends came by.

Of course, our snacks were themed - Goldfish and Swedish Fish.  I also got a cake for us to have after dinner that night, because you can just never have enough cake.

When it's all said and done, I think the twins will have fond memories of this birthday, and for that, I am thankful.

Twins' Past Parties
{Twins' Donut Party}
{Twins Ice Cream Party}
{Twins' Fiesta Fourth}
{Hungry Caterpillar Party}
{Berenstain Bear Party}
{VW Party}

All other Spenst parties here!

QC: VIOLET & WILLIAM ARE SEVEN

Here we are, another day in quarantine, another big celebration.  Fortunately, and unfortunately, we are becoming pros at this.  Today, our precious twinsies turn seven!

Seven years of joy and learning together and loving one another.  Seven years of barely restrained chaos, if I'm really honest, because 4 kids in 4 years is a lot.  Seven years of seeing Violet and William grow into precious little people.

Violet is a force of nature.  She is enthusiastic and loving in the extreme.  She has loved doing kindergarten a second time, and she is missing her teacher and friends so badly right now.  This year she has grown so much as a student, which is amazing to see.  She is flipping and cartwheeling through life, and we are so thankful that she is ours.

William is one of the sweetest little spirits and makes friends everywhere we go.  He said that he hopes that next year on his birthday, he is allowed to hug everyone, though his class did sing him Happy Birthday through their Google hangout.  William loves cars and stuffed animals, and he can play by himself or with others for a long time.  Another round of kindergarten has been great for him, and we are so proud of him.

Last night, we had a socially distanced grandparent hang out while the weather was nice, and it was delightful.

Tonight, we ordered pizza and stuck candles in a giant brownie, which is what they requested.

This is a quarantine birthday indeed, home all day, half dressed and planning to sleep in whatever they are wearing.  We have a drive-by birthday planned on Saturday, which will be its own version of fun.

Here's a round up of their past birthday posts - I cannot believe how much they've grown!

{VIOLET & WILLIAM TURN SIX}
{VIOLET & WILLIAM TURN FIVE}
{WILLIAM &VIOLET TURN FOUR}
{VIOLET & WILLIAM TURN THREE}
{TWINS TURN TWO}
{HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, WILLIAM &VIOLET}

TWINS' DONUT PARTY

This weekend has been a doozy.  Unexpectedly, William was admitted to the hospital for breathing issues on Friday morning, and so even on Saturday morning, we were unsure whether or not the donut party would come to sugary fruition.  However, the kind nurses and doctors could see how important the birthday party was to a boy who only needed occasional puffs, and they got us "fast-tracked" for discharge on Saturday.

Thankfully, I had pretty much all the stuff already at the house and most of the baking done, so it was really a matter of heating stuff up and throwing up some decor.  It felt chaotic, but the birthday twins were so pleased to be celebrated, and that totally makes it worth it.

(adorable donut invite by Aunt Ellen!)

I was already keeping this party fairly small, and when the time shrunk to do the stuff, I was really glad for the limited menu of donuts, bacon, sausage and fruit.

We had a donut piñata filled with random donut stuff instead of candy, since we were already at sugar max for the party.  Oriental Trading has TONS of cutesy little things.

Other than the piñata and eating, there were not activities planned, because I simply didn't have time. But - these kids managed to organize themselves and played sharks and minnows in the backyard, so no one was bored.  We headed inside for some cake and singing.

Instead of sending everyone home with cookies from a donut party, we had a top your own donut bar with to-go boxes to make sure kids had max sugar amounts.





William and Violet loved seeing family and friends!

What a gift to be able to celebrate six-year-old twins!  They keep announcing to strangers that they are six now.  And, I'm super thankful that William is fine, that we were able to still have the party and that it is all over for now.  We are worn out!

Twins' Past Parties
{Twins Ice Cream Party}
{Twins' Fiesta Fourth}
{Hungry Caterpillar Party}
{Berenstain Bear Party}
{VW Party}

All other Spenst parties here!

VIOLET & WILLIAM TURN SIX

The days are long and the years FLY by.  Truly.  The twins are six, and it does not seem possible that my youngest children are not even that young anymore.  Though six is obviously still young.

Violet is truly a special child in so many ways.  She is the most loving individual (until she's not 😜), and she has a way of winning people over.  When she really likes someone, she will tell them that they are her "special, special angel."  Her favorite person in the world is our friend, Mr. Adam, and when we asked her what restaurant we should visit for her birthday, she said, "Mr. Adam's house."  (She also loves Mr. Nate and Coach Steven)

Violet is excelling in gymnastics and sort of showing up for soccer.  Most of the time, she is doing handstands and walkovers all over the house.  She is making headway in school and is an engaged and motivated learner.  Her helping instinct is incredibly strong, and she often sweeps, cleans dishes or wipes down our windows with Clorox wipes - this has pros and cons. 🤣

Our cat, Francie, is often victim of Violet's affections.  Violet honestly has more personality in her pinkie finger than many people have in their whole body, and we love seeing how motivated and enthusiastic she is on so many fronts.  Basically, six year old Violet is an unstoppable force, and we are looking forward to see what the Lord does in her life!

William is his own unique self in a family of sisters.  He wants to be heard over the din, and he regularly asks the craziest questions - you never know what he will say next.  He has his own winning, affectionate way and loves to give hugs and never likes to get kisses.  Sometimes he will say that he loves you "too much."

William is rocking soccer and has been dubbed "William the Wall" for his defensive abilities.  He scored one goal recently and had the most impressive victory dance.  😂  A few months ago, he asked for an "orange ball with black lines" and has loved having a basketball to dribble around the house.  William is sounding out words and counting proficiently.  He has lots of friends at school, and he regularly tells me different things that he is learning from his buddies.

Puppy Ears is still semi-permanently attached to his arm and sometimes smuggled into his school backpack.  William is truly so kind and earnest and loving, and we are so thankful to call him our son.  His curiosity and enthusiasm are precious beyond words.

For both twins, kindergarten has been a fantastic experience - so good that we are going to do it again next year!  Both of their teachers are so kind and have agreed to teach them again next year as well as tutor them throughout the summer, and I am just so grateful to have people in our lives that are cheering our kids on and pouring into them.  We are looking forward to our first summer having them home in a few years and all the adventures that we'll be able to have together.

There are hard days all together, but we truly cannot imagine our life without William and Violet.  They bring so much love into our lives, and we learn so much being family with each other.  We're looking forward to seeing all that six brings!

Past Birthday Posts:
{VIOLET & WILLIAM TURN FIVE}
{WILLIAM & VIOLET TURN FOUR}
{VIOLET & WILLIAM TURN THREE}
{TWINS TURN TWO}
{HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, WILLIAM & VIOLET}