My 34th Birthday

For my birthday this year, we did a fondue night at home. Eating picnic style in the living room -with all the cheese dipping we could want- was a perfect way to spend my birthday.

Thanksgiving in Texas

Don and I decided this year we would go visit his parent in to Texas for Thanksgiving. His brother John (and his family) were planning on it as well, so we were really looking forward to a holiday with Don's family.

Luckily, Nana lent us her van and Don was able to take some time off work, so we decided that driving (30 hours each way) would be up our alley. We enjoy the challenge of making it so far in the shortest amount of time possible, while still keeping it safe with rotating drivers when needed. Crazy times, but fun.



Once we finally got to Texas, it was so good to see Don's family again! We hadn't seen Don's mom in almost a year, and his brother John's family is from Florida and had never met the boys! Everyone had so much catching up to do over lots of cooking, eating and card playing.



The houseful of guests (and all the noise they entail) are a lot for Don's dad to take in, so during the day we would try to keep the boys out of the house. One day we went to a nearby park. The boys loved running around with Don and their Uncle John. Uncle John likes to challenge the boys and they loved to try to take him on, racing all over the equipment and jumping on him like little monkeys.



Another day the whole group of us went to the Children's Museum of Houston. All five of the kids found different things to keep them busy in Kidtropolis. Luke liked being a veterinarian, Wyatt a food server, Jaxon a cashier at the grocery store, and Gina and Barbara liked to run around to the different ATMs, seeing how many paychecks they could enter. :)



Later we found another part of the Museum where we and the 5 kids did some crafts and more hands on experiments. After the museum we went to dinner. Things had been so busy, so it was nice to sit down and get to chat with my sister in law, Liz. The boys completely adored her and the girls, and they all were loving on the boys in return. I love that we all got along so well, and that love just flowed between the families.



The whole visit was fantastic, and I don't think there is a single thing I would have changed. We even got to introduce the boys to their cousin Gage, and catch up with some of Don's cousins, Aunt and Uncles in Texas. It was a much needed catch up with so much family, and we were all thankful for all of it.

Redi Whip

The difference between moms and dads... Don thinks it is fun teaching them this. I just worry that my kids will sneak in the fridge to get it themselves, and end up high on laughing gas.

The Shapiro Shindig

Face painting


Horsey rides


Petting zoo


And playing with our friends too!


What a fun afternoon!

Saying Thanks

This picture is just crazy to me. Without this very man, our kids would not be here.

Thank you so much, Dr Shapiro.

Our Posse

When the boys were born -and after they came home from their stay at the hospital, life changed. Obviously any parent that comes home with a baby for the first time feels like they have been dropped into the "Unknown Zone". I had an overwhelming feeling each week bringing a new baby home that the hospital really should write directions.



We felt our way around, but still knew we were just surviving, not really making any headway. At the end of the evening we were high-fiving that we made it through the day, but we were pretty sure there had to be easier methods to the madness. We had advice from many, but not anyone who really understood the logistics of THREE infants at once. That is where my web sleuthing came in and we found Triplet Connection.



Through Triplet Connection, I was able to meet some other local moms of triplets. People who didn't feel the need to ask me about how we conceived our kids, or look at me like I was a freak because I had a mile long stroller. We didn't have to worry about other triplet mom friends feeling that we were trying to "out do" them because our litter of kids commanded a bit more attention than a cute bow on their single baby's head.



I came into a group of friends already formed, and more have continued to join or go as they have pleased. I am so thankful for my friends who listen to the crazy times while not judging, but laughing because they have been there in one form or another -or laughing because they know that day is coming for them as well. These moms are all great, and their kids are pretty adorable as well.

I love the posse and support that comes from these other Moms of Multiples, and the fun my children have with theirs.

Fire Drill

Monday through Thursday the kids have homework. Since they are a wreck when they get home after school, we have been doing homework after breakfast.

We have been caught up for the entire week, except half of Thursday's home. PRACTICE A FIRE DRILL WITH YOUR FAMILY.

Oh my Lord.

This sentence made my stomach drop. It could have been because Wyatt tends to over analyze things and still has anxiety about some random things. We have to keep doors open when he is on the other side of them(not the bathroom door, thank goodness!) but the front door for sure. And he won't buckle in the car until he knows we are out there, too. So adding stress of a possible fire wasn't something I wanted to add to his list.

I think my stomach dropped mostly because our fire alarm has been going off about 7 times a week -sometimes 5 times in a single night. What a pleasent way to wake up. Not to mention that makes the emergency concept not such an emergency when it is happening so often.

I decided just to talk about the basics with them. We will save the little ladder thing (we have one that hangs out their bedroom window to the floor) for when Don gets home this afternoon.

So I talked to them about checking the door to see if it is hot. We talked about not hiding from the fire, so the fireman can easily find you. We talked about if their door is hot, we will come to them through their window. We also talked about calling 911.

Jaxon corrected me here, telling me he knows the number to the Justice League and it is 11511. He said they are very far, but they will come quick.

So I let him know that in case they are running behind, to be prepared for the fire department.

Anyhow, I can understand how this may be a good idea for many families to practice this. But for my family, it just throws too many ideas out in the open. Makes me feel like my boys are socially behind. Does anyone else worry about showing their kids an escape route from their house because they are worried about their kids attempting it on their own? Or about their kids dialling 11511 for the Justice League instead of 911 for the actual human help?

Our Everyday

For the past few months, our cookie cutter squished together neighborhood has become more neighborly.

People actually have begun to hang out outside and chat with each other. The kids all hang out and play past sunset. We sit outside of our neighbors house until bedtime, roasting marshmallows over a fire pit on their drive way.




It was a long time coming -we have been here about 6 years now. We are the only house with a front patio, and I think we have been out front more than anyone else in the past few years. We wave to everyone that passes our house -and usually get a smile and wave in return -but that is as far as 90% of the neighborhood relationships went.



But now, we are finally at a point where most of the houses on our street have kids there. If one kid is out, slowly the others come out to play. Bikes are ridden up and down the street and "CAR!" is yelled every time anyone spots a car with wheels turning.


It is so weird to see the kids doing things that I have specific memories of also doing. It is weird to think they are old enough to be hanging out with the neighborhood kids. It is weird to know I am old enough to have kids doing this when it seems like I was just doing this last year.

But it is cool that one day they will look back and have memories of days like this, too.

Something I love about you

I love that Jaxon LOVES to make friends. Every time he gets to be around other kids, he makes a few new friends. I know this because he yells out, "Mom, I making new friends!"

I also love that even though his 6th birthday isn't until May, he invites anyone and everyone he meets to their party. Even some 13 year old girls sitting near the boys at a festival recently.

He loves new friends. And I love him!

Halloween 2010

This year for Halloween Don and I wanted to try something different. In Nevada, we celebrate Nevada day (the day Nevada became a state-which happens to be Oct 31st) with a day off school. With our year pass to Lego Land, we thought that may be a great way to spend our Halloween weekend this year.



We got an amazing deal with a hotel right next to Lego Land because of a timeshare presentation, packed a bunch of food for the trip and headed to California! I didn't get many pictures, and most of the ones I did get are blurry (!) but we did have a great time.



On the way out to Carlsbad, we stopped in Irvine where a fellow triplet mom had invited us to stay with her for a night. Michelle has 5 boys! That made for one exciting visit! All eight boys got along lost in the world of matchbox cars and boy toys. Michelle's husband Matt set up a tent for our boys to sleep in, and they were just in fun heaven!


The next day was a breakfast at Rudy's Diner and off to Lego Land we went.



Dressed up their Halloween costumes, the boys loved hearing people comment on their Super Hero-ness. Some funny moments happened when the boys would see other people (especially a grown man) dressed as super heroes. Their reactions were priceless, as was one little girl dressed in a silver and pink Super Girl costume when she saw all the Super boys. They all felt a Super Hero connection -and it was priceless.



What fun would Lego Land be without riding their favorite rides? And of course, there was plenty of Trick or Treating at Lego Land. The whole weekend was a great time for us to get to spend some much needed fun time together.

Halloween is coming

We had our first school Trunk or Treat! Don and I tricked out the back of Nana's van, and the boys had their first school event. It was a fun night, being able to watch the boys interacting with their new friends and see the different relationships that have grown. They spent most of the time attached at the hip with their new friend Kalani. Every time the boys saw a new friend they would yell their name and run up to hug them.

I love that they are enjoying their school experiences!

Randomness

A quilt store here in town is closing. They had a $2 a yard sale last week. For fabric that is generally over $10 yard to go on sale for that low is huge. Needless to say, I packed the boys up with some snacks and video games and waited outside the door with all the other crazy quilters for the store to open.

Not only did we have to wait a half hour to get in the store, it took almost an hour to get checked out. The boys didn't seem to mind though, games in hand a new friend to boot!

So not what I thought my 30's would be like by the way!





Now that the boys are in school, they are meeting friends on their own.

The boys got invited to their first school friend birthday party. Their friend Kalani had his 6th birthday at Chuck E Cheese. The boys gave him a super hero cape and a little notebook. Kalani used the new notebook and crayons to write the boys thank you notes. How cute is this? He got their hair right and everything!

A New Busy Station

Recently, we pulled out some goodies for the boys that we had bought years ago. One was a packet of wipe off crayons. I like them because Jaxon still does not get reign of markers (he's really impulsive), and the crayons are a bit more child friendly anyhow.

Our other find was a couple of giant laminated sheets of notebook paper. We had bought them at the dollar store long ago, and put them away for a rainy day.

So putting our two giant sheets of paper together with wipe off crayons, and three little boys, equaled about an hour of quiet time for us! Yay!



This one has lots of random words and names including the ever popular Jessica and another one of their friends, Kalani.



The next day, Lucas was writing while I was sewing. I heard him sounding words out and then he thought of his birthday. May 22. See how he sounded it out? M TNT 2

It is so cool to see them learn these things, a little bit at a time. No paper waste, keeps them quiet, and they learn. What more can I ask for?

ROXY!!!!

This cute, cuddly, little ball of non shedding fur, is starting to drive us a bit batty. She thinks she is a person. More specifically, she thinks she is a five year old human person. A fourth triplet, if you will.


This day, Roxy was caged long enough for me to drive the boys to school, and come straight home. Maybe 30 minutes at the most. All that black stuff all over the floor? that is the bottom to the cage. It used to look like a big black plastic cookie sheet. She shredded it so bad, it fit in a plastic bag. And her cage used to be next to the door on the left. She flipped it over in her crazy fit.


And this? I used to have blinds on my living room window. Used to. A moment of silence please for my pretty wooden blinds.


This was another 20-30 minute stretch of time. Roxy flipped her cage on this day as well, but did so in a way that gravity agreed with her and made her cage door pop open. Luckily the doggie door was closed (because she can escape the yard, you know), but unluckily for the blinds, they were in Roxy's way when she was trying to spot her boys. WHO WERE AT SCHOOL, ROXY!



Lastly, this is Roxy in her cage, flipped again. She is beating the crap out of our wall behind her, all that cage bumping and flipping is starting to show against the brown paint.


Don and I have since realized that her cage needs to be put upside down and secured with zip ties on one of the doors. With the bigger holes at the top, she can not fit her legs out to flip or move the cage. (Yet) We also have D-rings around the other cage door as reinforcement in case she does manage to flip it.

She is cute -luckily. And other than these damages above, we have had not a single complaint about her behavior. She tolerates the boys better than we do sometimes, and is so adorably social with others -dogs and humans included.

The boys feed her regularly without complaint, and play with her all the time. They help wear her down, and she does the same for them while giving them a fourth playmate. It is a win win for me, especially since Don generally does poop patrol. All I need to do is change her water a couple times a day.



Except on the days I had to clean up all my broken blinds. And clean up her shredded cage bottom. And then scrub the carpet where she bled a bit on it from her crazy moment. AND pick up the trash from the garbage can on the floor. And wash the windows and doors where her dirty paws and/or tongue dirty it all up...

But I still love her.

Mostly
How could I deny that cute face?

Something I love about you

I love that Wyatt takes every opportunity around a tree to see if he can swing from any of the branches. Tarzan style, y'all.

It doesn't matter if it is a palm tree limb near the jacuzzi at Nan's and Pops house. Or a baby tree at the dog park. If he can reach a branch, he will try to see if he can swing from it.



Cracks me up every time. I love that little monkey :)

A New Beginning

Today I went with my sister to her Dr appointment.

She was really nervous. I maybe was a little, but I was so loving her in this new stage of her life, my head couldn't fit anymore in it.

We got to hear her baby's heart beat. I heard the "whoosh, bu-bump, ba-bump" and saw the surprise on her face when she found out that was the baby's heart, not hers.

I am so stinking excited about this new little person joining our family. I love seeing my sister this happy. She has always been such a beautiful person inside and out, but it seems like she is finally seeing it too.

Good things are coming. I can't wait.

3 Boys = Real Life

This is picture of my three sweet boys. They were running carefree in the water, it was so hot out that day and we were at a car show. Over 100 degrees was just too hot for the boys to enjoy the car show, so Don and I gave up the show and let the boys have some down time.

I swear in the moments before taking this picture, I was looking at them in a perfectly ideal moment. I was thinking how big they have gotten, how stinking handsome they are getting, and how perfect the light was around them. I had to take this picture to capture the moment.



This picture on the other hand...





This picture was taken just the next day at Walmart. I was looking at the clearance table in the back (all red tag items was an additional 50% off, I couldn't NOT look!) to see if we "needed" anything and I hear Jaxon yell, "this is SO AWESOME!". I turn and look for the voice and see Jax's head sticking out the side of the ball cage. His brothers were quick to join him, moving balls out of their way so they could fit their ever growing bodies in there, too.

I admit, at first I was embarrassed. I mean, come on! They put themselves in a ball cage. I have never seen a kid do that before -and we go to Walmart every week!

And then I was a bit amazed that they hadn't thought of doing that before.

But then I was surprised that I actually felt bad for having to call them out when it was so obvious they were having such a good time. I think had I not been surrounded by about 30 other people at the clearance tables (damn clearance!) they would have had a few more minutes to play.

So two perfectly opposite pictures taken in just two days. Such different circumstances and feelings around each, but each perfectly demonstrate how every day brings something interesting to the table.

These boys keep us on our toes.

Virtually Friends

About 4 years ago, I found a blog kept by a mom of triplet boys. Her name is Wendi, and her blog cracked me up -seeing and reading all the escapades her little boys got into. We commented a bit on each others blogs for a while, and then slowly as technology changed, our friendship changed from the blogs, to myspace, and finally to facebook. Wendi seems very much like myself -finding humor in her day to day life with her boys- and I was excited when she told me her family was coming out to Vegas for the week.

Wendi invited us to her hotel for a swim. Meeting someone face to face for the first time is hard enough, let alone in your bathing suit, but I wasn't going to let modesty ruin the day. Floating around in the lazy river (where some kind people who were leaving gave the kiddos their rafts) and watching the boys have a blast in the wave pool was a perfect way to get to know Wendi and her family. The six boys got along even when they were concerned about getting their own turn on the rafts, and Wendi's family was just as fabulous as I thought they would be. It was a perfect afternoon with such fun people.

Thanks Wendi, for inviting us to join in on your day!

S'more fun for Everyone

About a month ago, a new street opened near our house. Maybe I should correct that- the street had always been there, but there was a train preventing us from getting to the other side. Right on the other side was a park. A great beautiful, fun park. It was about one mile from our house, but to get to it, we had to drive around the very very very long way -about 15 minutes total. Dang big ole train track about 3 feet up -impossible even for us with four wheelers (with three car seats inside) to get over.


Luckily, the city made a way for the residents to get through and now the park is about 3 minutes from our house. This park is part of the motivation program I have the boys on. Start riding your bike with only 2 wheels (not four) and we can ride our bikes to the park. I'll let you know if it works :)


So last weekend, we invited a few of our friends to the park for s'mores in the evening. It was super hot out -especially with a fantastic fire right in front of us -but we all managed to have a lot of fun. The kids all ran around like banshees, climbed the trees like monkeys, and ate marshmallows and hot apples treats like little piggies.


It was an awesome night, just like we thought it would be. We have a feeling these guys are going to be friends for a long, long time. I can't wait to see what the future brings us.

Something I love about you

Lucas knows what he wants. He generally can not be distracted or dissuaded from what he has in mind -which sometimes cracks me up at the same time it exasperates me.

On this particular day, I was helping Luke style his hair. Wanting to try something new, he said he wanted a curl in the front "like Superman's hair". And for once, I didn't even try to change his mind. Between it being what Lucas wanted, and having something to do with Superman, I knew there was no budging on this idea.



So Lucas got what he asked for. And I totally love that he even requested it.