February 12.  A big day in my house.   We are celebrating birthdays.  My sons, ages 6 and 4, share the same birthday.  They are two brothers born on the same day.

No it wasn’t planned.  It totally happened naturally and was completely unexpected.  Of course I knew my children would be born around the same time, same month, but never did I think my boys would be born on the same day.

It was 2009 and I was trying to squeeze out whatever moments I had left with my oldest, as the only child, when I suddenly felt odd.  I knew immediately I was in labor and looked at the clock.  It was around 4:00 pm.  I thought to myself, will this kid be born today?  I had been in labor with my first for over eight hours.  It was quite possible I could hold this baby in until midnight February 13.

I cried my entire way to the hospital because I didn’t get a chance to sing “Happy Birthday” to (then) 2-year-old and left without eating cake (listen, I was 9-months pregnant, cake was really important).  Within minutes of arriving to the hospital I was whisked into labor and delivery.  This baby was coming and there was no stopping him.  By 8:00 p.m. I was holding my brand new baby and my husband and I were amazed that our two sons were born on February 12.  They would forever be known as the two brothers born on the same day (whether they like it or not).

For the first couple of years, sharing birthdays wasn’t a big deal to my two boys.  But, of recent, my boys are complaining about having to share a birthday.  Despite our efforts – from decorating the house the night before their birthday while they sleep, to buying special prizes and planning fantastic trips – my boys seem to want the spotlight only on themselves for their special day.

So today, in honor of my little Aquarians – even though they are total opposites – I am giving them their moment in the spotlight.

I read about this idea of asking the same set of 20 questions to your child, every year, on their birthday and chronicling their responses into a birthday book.  Of course, I decided to put my own spin on the idea but the overall concept is still there.  I think it will be fantastic to see how my boys answers evolve over time and just how different their personalities are, despite being two brothers born on the same day.

Now, for his moment in the spotlight.  Introducing for the first time in public, my 6 YEAR OLD!! (excuse me while I wipe the tears from my eyes).

And, never to be upstaged, here is the little brother.  Watch our world, this big guy is 4 YEARS OLD (and for the record, he won’t let me call him a baby anymore).