29 February 2024 , 14:05
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Britain's first leap year quadruplets are celebrating their 'third' birthday this week - 12 years after birth.
Reuben, Samuel, Zachary and Joshua Robbins were all born within six minutes of each other on February 29, 2012. They celebrate their birthdays on March 1 each year but, every four years, get to mark the 'real day'. But dad Martin Robbins, 50, says they are still finalising their plans for 2024 - as each child wants to do something different.
He said: "One wants to go tenpin bowling, another go-karting, one wants to do archery - so we've got to come to a happy decision! "The difficult thing about having multiples is that they are all the same age but competition is fierce. They are still sorting out their pecking order and do require space - which is challenging when there is four of them!
"We will have to come to a decision, but it's not set yet.." Mum Emma Robbins gave birth to the boys via emergency Caesarean. Reuben was delivered first, weighing 2lb 14oz, followed by 2lb 8oz Zachary, his twin 3lb 1oz Joshua and finally Sam - 2lb 13oz. The quads have an older brother too, Luke, 14, who the quads "love very much". They often shadow him around because they look up to him, Martin said.
Three of the quadruplets are genetically identical - Reuben, Zachery and Joshua. Samuel is not identical to his brothers, but looks like his older brother Luke, and his mum. Martin and Emma moved to the UK from South Africa 14 years ago. They lived in Bristol before moving to Wales.
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Left to right: Leap year quadruplets Samuel, Joshua, Reuben and Zachary (SWNS)Luke is now living with his mum overseas back in South Africa and the quads are living with their Dad in Chepstow. Martin, who works as a self-employed sign maker and graphic designer, said the boys are all different. He said: "Sam is like the ring leader - who socially and mentally seems to be the boss of the four.
"The other three are all one in the same! Just like me, they are fair-haired and Sam has dark hair. All the boys are quite different in themselves and as they've gotten older, they have become more engaged in other interests. Because they are quads people look at them as a four - and have even commented about wanting us to dress them the same! That's insane. They are all individual in their own rights, sometimes people want to put them in a basket and I've never understood that.
"Josh is very sporty, he loves football and basketball. Zach and Reuben are very musical - they like to sing and dance and play keyboard. Reuben and Zach are very arty and creative. Sam is the technical one - he has a curious mind and is always asking questions. The boys love school; they are all bright kids and love different parts of education".
Martin says the kids have been "super excited" to have joined a new school this week at Chepstow Secondary. Martin said: "They couldn't wait to be joining clubs and sports teams, integrating and meeting new friends. My boys are looking forward to all the challenges, friends, social life - and are all joining scouts!"
Martin says all the boys are tight with one another - particularly the identical brothers Reuben, Zachery and Joshua. He said: "They are all one in the same person: same characters, they act the same, and stick together. But now they have started a new school I wanted to get them in their own individual classes.
"Though have only been at school two days and the identical boys already got a nickname 'copy and paste'! It's the most important time for them, and is important for their social development so they can come into their own individuality. It helps them make new and solid friends and have something to talk about when they come home".