Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Four years ago, GulfWeekly featured the birth of the kingdom’s first quadruplets in 15 years. Now, the quads are back on Page One … as the fantastic four!
The fabulous foursome celebrated their fourth birthday on Friday at McDonald’s in Budaiya with proud parents Zall and Cynthia Koohpaima, big sister Arianna, 18, other family members and friends.
The restaurant’s children’s zone was decked out in balloons for the occasion and was soon full of the quad’s friends, all running around and squealing for joy while the hosts of the party entertained them.
The quads looked marvellous. Anya was glamorous in a navy dress and tiara while her brothers – Connor, Aidan and Rory – were dapper in matching black pinstriped suits with striped blue ties.
The fantastic four each had a role to play as well. Adorable Aidan danced and amused guests, cool Connor remained strong and silent, cheeky Rory stole a few hugs and pretty princess Anya kept the boys in line with her quiet, unassuming manner.
While some parents can barely handle one child, happy-go-lucky Cynthia and Zall made it look like a piece of cake. Mum explained: “It’s just like having any other child … but times four.
“They are the same little people they have been from birth. The other day I was looking at their photos from their first year; their personalities shone through clearly even then.
“Their personalities are all different in subtle ways, but they are all super loving and affectionate and very charming. All four are big jokers.”
On the first cover photo Gulf Weekly took, just after the quads were born, Connor was howling his little lungs off, angry at having been disturbed from his nap and he still loses his temper the same way, according to Cynthia.
“Rory was a cheeky thing even in the incubator at the hospital, pulling his feeding tube out from his nose so it had to be taped on repeatedly.
“The first time I held Anya in my arms was when she was three days old. I was struck by her very intense, focused stare and expression. She is very genuine. If she likes you she is very smiley and affectionate, but if not, well, she will tolerate you but not be overly affectionate. She is very much an old soul.
“Aidan was and is always smiling and laughing. He is super affectionate; he will run past you then slow down to give you a quick kiss or hug for no apparent reason and he is always a blur of motion.”
According to Zall, an airline key account manager, the children love to play pranks on each other and on their parents as well. He said: “One of my favourite things to do is to sit back and watch them interact and learn from each other.
“Connor is more reserved, shy, quiet and introspective. He is also the tallest and often doesn’t realise his own strength.
“Anya and Rory can usually be found together, getting up to mischief, irritating each other, or just laughing their heads off at something one of them has said. Aidan and Connor can often be found together too, but Connor always keeps his eye on Anya.
“They can, and do, all fight and argue just like any siblings over silly things, like toys, or what movie to watch. The boys usually fight more with each other physically, but Anya is the boss and is not shy about setting them straight when they’ve really pushed the limits of her patience.
“Connor will rarely ever argue or fight with Anya; everyone else is fair game for him but not her. Anya, Rory and Aidan are more outgoing and gregarious.”
Zall continued: “Aidan likes creative things and colours. If you give him some crayons and blank paper he can remain still for ages.
“Rory is a cheeky boy, very funny and extremely talkative. He is a real planner; he plans everything way in advance! He also does his best to charm his way out of trouble.”
During the party the quads had a ball in the play area with friends and their triplet cousins who are a few years older than them.
Cynthia added: “When the food arrived and cake was announced they all couldn’t get out of that play area fast enough!
“Food and cake are magic words indeed! Aidan decided to stick his hand in the frosting before the candles were even lit. Then Rory and Connor got into the act after seeing this clever idea whereas Anya was wary and waited, like the little lady she is, for approval to go ahead.
“In the end, we gave up and let them get their little frosting sample over and done with. They’re little kids, it’s to be expected. It was funny and at least the cake wasn’t ruined completely.”
Sister Arianna, also kept a close eye on her beloved siblings, reminiscing at how small they once were. She said: “I had wanted brothers and sisters for such a long time and then I got four all at once. I’m applying for university now and am glad it’s in Bahrain because I would miss them. I have to say there’s never a dull moment at home.”
The family still lives happily in Budaiya although the large brood has drawn some curiosity from workers in the area. Once, a bottled water deliverer innocently asked them if they were running a nursery on the premises.
Cynthia said: “Honestly, any child is a blessing. To have more than one at once is even more of a gift from God than any words can really express.
“My mantra is ‘If he brings you to it, he will bring you through it’. We have not travelled with the quads yet and the thought of it makes both of us a bit nervous.
“With multiples, there are so many things that they must share – toys, TV, food, you name it; but foremost mummy and daddy.”
One of the biggest challenges for Cynthia and Zall is ensuring that everybody gets some one-on-one time, even if it is just for a cuddle on the sofa or going on a trip to the store for bread and milk.
“Would we want it any other way? Nope. No way! There is never a dull moment in our lives,” added Cynthia.
