We went to Richmond to help celebrate our grand twin’s birthday. As we usually do, we fly into DC and spent a couple of nights with Amy. We drove to Richmond with her and spent the weekend there before retuning to DC for our return trip home. Matthew’s birthday was on Wednesday and Nathan and Maddie’s birthday was on Saturday, so we celebrated all the birthdays at once. You can guess whose birthday got the most attention.
Maddie made a nice banner saying Happy Birthday to her daddy. As is shown in the picture, she is very good at making big letters for a banner. I’m not sure I could do that well. I am very impressed. Her mother made the top banner, showing that she has lettering skills as well.
The birthday party was just for family and that suited me just fine. Of course, the kids got lots of presents.
“Happy Birthday to You”
On the day of their birthday, we went ice skating. Nana and Granddad watched from the side lines; I’ve never ice skated before, and I’m too old to start now.
Maddie is learning to skate.
Nathan takes a turn skating
The kid’s other Grandpa gave them new bicycles for their birthday. I believe this will prove to be one of their favorite presents. I’m looking forward to the day when I can go riding with them.
I found it amusing that Nathan whined about not having training wheels on his bike. But, in a few minutes he forgot about training wheels, because he could see that he would be able to ride the bike.
With a few adjustments, they were off and riding!
With a little help from Granddad, Nathan learned to ride almost immediately.
We decided that the driveway was too small a space for the kids to learn to ride a bike. So, later in the afternoon, we went to a park in their neighborhood and let the kids ride in a large parking lot. It was so much fun seeing (and helping) them learn to ride a bicycle. A special moment! With Granddad’s help, Nathan caught on very quickly. With a little practice, they both learned quickly.
Maddie almost seemed to have the most fun learning to ride her bike. Even when she fell, she was unabashed and always laughed and kept on trying. That indomitable spirit means that girl is exceptional and you will no doubt read her name in the paper someday.
We took a series of videos while they learned to ride. They got better by the minute.
Nathan reads to Granddad. He can read almost anything. I’m pretty sure that most kids in Kindergarten can not read like this. I predict that you will read his name in the paper someday.
Maddie cracks us up: again, and again, and again. She entertains her Aunt Mimi (Amy) by just being her cute self!
Nathan tells some jokes!
Apparently, folks living in the suburbs have wild animals that encroach on their space (whose space?). The story is that a raccoon was spotted in the neighborhood and it may or may not have eaten a few tomatoes. Nevertheless, Matthew acquired a live trap to capture the vermin. To my knowledge no varmint has been apprehended, but Nathan explained how the trap works, if it were to ever catch something.
Although the kids can read their own books, it was pretty special that I could read a bed time story to them as they drifted off to sleep.
We had a wonderful visit and spent some real quality time with Amy.
