Happy New Year! 2014

It is 2014!  We had our first New Year celebration with the five of us.  We had lots of food (jalapeno poppers, mozerella sticks, and pigs in a blanket.  Even the bacon Lucas requested, ha!) The plan was to go East coast style and get you all into bed after the ball dropped in New York City.  BUT the television wasn't showing the ball drop! So, after hoping they would show it at 10, and popping open our sparkling cider and party poppers, we realized it wasn't going to show then either. 
We hung out in the livingroom, the five of us and played Yatzee while listening to the top women artists. You boys heard some new songs and we had a good time all the way until it turned midnight in Las Vegas.  We jumped in the car and drove to the railroad tracks, getting a beautiful view of the fireworks. 
It was a wonderful start to a new year.  I love all four of you!

5 Generations

My Gram Bette came to stay with us last week.   She and I have such a special relationship.  I am not sure if it is from living with her when I was little or what, but I am so thankful for the relationship I have with her.  It is really so good for my soul.  She always makes me feel unconditionally loved, and what more could I ask for?  I hope that when my turn as a Grandmother comes, I can take and channel her love to those after me. 

While she was in town, we met up with some long lost family members. It was my Gram's cousin that no one in the whole family had seen since my Grandmother was 10!  It was a great reunion and felt like some puzzles pieces clicking into place.  It just felt "right".  While preparing to meet those family members, my Grandmother had brought along some photos from her family to remind her cousin of faces, and follow ups. 

This is a 5 Generations picture, with myself as the little one being held by my mom on the right.  In a day where it is hard to come by 4 generation pictures, this 5 generation is a gem! 

I am so thankful for my time in growing up in New York.  That family is where my roots are, and have always been.  I would give anything for us to be able to live there now to give my boys the same type of family bonds we just don't have out here.  Those are some special ladies in that photo.  Can't wait to find more family treasures like it!

After 8 Years

When the boys were 5 months old, the weather was finally perfect enough for Don and I to have our first real family outing. While we were out, the boys needed to be fed and the bottles were in the car and rather than all of us making the trip back to the car, Don left me with the boys. I was TERRIFIED. I was so scared they were going all 3 start to get hungry, cry and cause a scene. I took them out of their gigantic stroller to distract them and laid them on the grass. They never cried, they just laid back chilling out. It was such a relief, and a huge bonding moment with them. Last week, we went back to the same fair and I HAD to take this pic of them again.

3rd Grade!!

THIRD GRADE!!

Your dad took off work Friday to go to the teacher meet & greet with us.  He is like that, never wanting to miss out on what's going on in your life.  Since he was home two days, he led you to believe that Saturday night was Sunday and school started the next day.  On our way out to dinner, Luke had seen a bright start in the sky and we did the whole "star light, star bright" and made a wish that PLEASE can we have an extra day of summer.    When you woke  up the next morning, I am not sure if you figured it out or believed in the magic.  No one talked about it much, I think because you wanted to believe. 

My mind can't wrap around you are already this big.  You boys make me so proud with your kind hearts and sweet smiles. I know you'll do great in school this year.  Go third grade!

San Clemente

We had an incredible spot!

Right now we are on our last trip of the summer.  We are camping at San Clemente State Beach.  It's a beautiful campground with a gorgeous view from our spot, number 88. 

You boys are at an age (8) where we feel comfortable letting you ride your scooters around the camp. Up and around you go, it gives you some freedom while giving us some quiet.  Lots of people ride their bikes, walk their dogs and just come by to see the view of the ocean.


Today (like yesterday) is just a lazy day at the beach.

Jaxon has no fear and keeps going too far into the water.  Yesterday a lifeguard boat came up to Don and Jax, apparently their distance made the life guards nervous as well!   It is great to see Jaxon find something he feels he excels at. 

Lucas really seems to enjoy the whole beach package.  He has a good time whether he is digging in the sand or catching more waves.  Luke is happy no matter if he is just hanging out and jumping over waves, or taking the boogie board and riding waves all the way into the beach. 







 Wyatt is much more cautious in the water -too many wipe outs maybe?  He calls out to Jax and Lucas if he feels they are too far out in the ocean.  Sometimes he is so worried about them he won't see a wave coming up until it crashes into him!  Mostly he was only going in as deep as his chest, but on the last day Wyatt was back in his wet suit and riding the waves once again.  Mostly in the shallow areas, but at least he's trying it!

 

All three of you especially love the train that comes right by the beach, making sure to get up to the tracks each time.  It's really a picturesque beach with so many umbrellas and people everywhere.
Hard to believe you'll be back in school soon!  Sometimes this summer dragged, but I am bummed to think we will have many months before we can do this again.  You boys are growing up so fast and we really are enjoying the people you are growing up to be.  I wish we could bottle up days like these. 

IKEA

Your dad just put up some LED lights on your bunk bed. He did them so not only will they light up the bottom bunk, they'll light up the whole room!  While he was putting them up, we were wishing there was cool stuff like this when we were children :)  You guys have the coolest stuff!

Family Trip

Lunch on the Summit

Mining for jewels

Cool Cousins!

Our nightly view

Hanging with Pops at the Rescue Zoo

Going up SO high on the Summit Lift

The Alpine Slide Crew

A few weeks ago, we went to Big Bear, Ca with the Robinson side of our family. Uncle Donny and Aunt Michelle, Uncle Carl, Aunt Cassie and Aunt Leigha, Nana and Pops were all able to meet up and spend some family time together. We did lots of normal fun vacation stuff, but it was so many firsts for you- even though you are 8 years old. You learned how to play pool, you played Laser Tag for the first time, you went on an Alpine Slide, and for the first time in your memory, we went to a zoo. You got to catch up with your cousin Dylan, who you really didn't remember from their visit years ago. You thought he was pretty awesome like you did Matthew and Cathryn since you love your older cousins and try so much to be "cool" like them. You hung out and enjoyed playing with your much younger cousins Ryder and baby Jake. We went fishing on our last day, just the five of us and caught a fish for the first time ever. The trip was wonderful, the sunset each night from the back patio was so beautiful. Roxy came with us causing some issues at first, but she was so happy to be included.

OMGosh! You are 8!

Corona Del Mar, Ca

Here's the deal kiddos, it has been a while since I have blogged.  I have drafted a few blog posts (about the Christmas accident, 2nd grade, etc) but I haven't posted them yet.  Basically technology is changing, and you are changing and it hasn't been in the norm to sit on this computer in the corner of our hallway and keep this blog up.   BUT -as I am writing this- I have downloaded an app on my phone and hopefully it will bring the convenience back because obviously, it has been too long.

Last night I was online checking Facebook and your dad asked if our blog is still up.  Happily, it was.  I spent until 3 am (!) going through the blog, reading posts while laughing and tearing up.  Your dad was long asleep by then, so there was no one to share it with, but I soaked it all in.  I am thankful for this record of your childhood.  It helps my guilt since your baby books were a bust and not kept up.  All these pictures and stories made me realize that -first of all, your personalities have always been the same- and second- it is so important to update at least once in a while for posterities sake.

Right now you are 8 years old.  We are in the midst of summer vacation and have taken a few trips this summer to California.  We had been camping, staying at hotels and even a week in Big Bear where Nana and Pops rented a cabin for our whole family.   You guys are hilarious while simultaneously making my blood pressure rise from all the arguing and testing.  I feel all I say all day long is "be nice, be kind, speak kindly please".  My brain is still stunted from the toddler years and my memory is shot, but I wouldn't change this life for any other. 

A little about you now. You are into playing the X Box Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Heather got you for your birthday.  Games like Mine Craft, Superman Returns, and Need for Speed seem to be your favorites.  You love playing on the tablet, or just watching Netflix on the tablet even though you could watch it on TV.  There are tons of kids on the street you love to play with, the Sumis, Higgins are full of girls, as is Maile's family, but you are only beginning to mind that you are the only boys. 
 
 You guys either are literally hugging and wrestling or fighting and arguing.  It is rarely in-between.  You make your Dad and I crazy, and generally we need wind down drinks most days.  You also make us laugh all the time, out loud laughter.  We love spending time with you boys, especially since  we're well aware how fast you are growing and that there's only so many years to keep you close to us before you start spreading your wings.

So with that in mind, I am going to try to keep this blog up here and there, more than once a year, hopefully. We will see.  

2nd Grade!

 You boys are 7 years old and just adorable. You are all missing teeth here and there, and have hilarious senses of humor -although we are working on cleaning that humor up. haha!

  This year school starts on a Monday, so we have the whole week to adjust. All three of you are in separate classes again, and all your teachers are new to ME, so I am nervous, but feel good about it all. Wyatt has Franki down the street in his class again, Jaxon has the new girl Gracie that just moved in on our street as well, and Lucas has Maile in his class. You each are excited about today (thankfully) and we had a nice chill morning, no rushing or freaking out of any sort -although Jax had a last minute change of clothes due to his insistence on wearing socks.

Each of you seemed really confident this morning as we walked up to the playground. You were ready to drop your backpacks on the asphalt and run to play. You were not concerned in the least bit, just excited to catch up to your friends.

  On one hand, I miss my little guys, but on the other I am so happy you have this confidence and no worries about what the day or school year will bring.

Holy cow, 2012 already?

Well, I have not updated in a LONG time. So much has happened- but somehow we still muddle through the same ole thing day after day. First off, let me tell you that you guys are awesome. I love you little monkeys more now than ever. You make your dad and I laugh so much and we just truly love spending time with you. Being parents of 6 years olds has been my favorite so far. You are hilarious with your own thoughts and jokes, and you still like to come cuddle with us on the couch or wrestle with us on the floor. You steal our cell phones and love to play your little 3DS systems you got for Christmas and the Wii too. You are still so into super heroes, but Mario brothers and Angry Birds are coming in quickly behind. You think it is hilarious when your dad and I kiss, but the affection is contagious and we have had a few talks regarding you boys being too young to kiss girls or have girl friends. So for now you just try to run up and pull us apart if you think we are going to kiss :) Oh we love you guys so much. Even during the trying times which seems like every night at bed time (even right this moment you were put to bed 30 minutes ago and each of you are still up coming out for water or whatever reason you are procrastinating with. OR when you are arguing or being rotten to each other only 2 minutes after coming home from school. Hopefully I can get this blog updated with some of our day to day life and what has been going on because LOTS has been going on. xoxo

The Christmas we Crashed

Moments before the big crash

Boys, boys, boys. First, I need to explain to you our intentions. All the neighbor hood kids have power wheels or something of the like. But unfortunately, there is nothing on the market that would hold the three of you and go more than half a mile per hour. Someone on your Dad's route at work offered him a go cart that needed some tlc, and your Dad and I thought that would make a great Christmas present.

   To make a long, horrible story short, it was not a wise decision on our behalf. On Christmas morning after all the presents were opened and we had a fantastic family brunch with both sets of Grandparents and Aunt Leigha here too, we went outside to show you your big present! A shiny red go cart covered with a big shiny bow! A go cart that -on its second ride down the street- slammed into the concrete poles at about 15 miles an hour.

The 3 Amigos reunited

  Our neighbors were outside and jumped into action even before I could run down the street to the accident scene. 911 was being called and first aid was being administered. Blankets were brought out to prevent shock, ice packets were applied to bruising and Dad's jeans were cut off to access his leg. Your dad held on to the go cart hoping to hit that kill switch on the back and was thrown over the back of the cart into the street. The force of being thrown had cracked his tibia and a fragment of his bone was sticking out of his jeans. Jaxon was shaken and bruised but thankfully seemed to be mostly fine. He was coherent and shaken, but able to talk (cry). Wyatt, on the other hand, had been thrown from the go cart and slammed his little head right into the concrete pole. Now that I am writing this I know he is okay, but it was the single most scary moment of my life so far. One of his eyes was rolled back in his head and he was not responding to us at all, just moaning in pain. The other eye was swollen shut and bulging purple. All I could do was lay on the road next to him and tell him he was okay and wonder if we were going to lose him. I was torn between the three of you, you were only 3 feet away from each other, but too far for me to be with all of you at the same time. Your dad swears he saw angels that day at the end of the street. He said he prayed so hard that you boys would be okay, and in my heart I feel like he had prayed so loud inside it opened up a direct line to God.




Dad and Wyatt recovering the day after

 With the horrible accident only minutes before, it was strangely quiet. No panicking, no crying. Just Leigha and I trying to console Wyatt and Jaxon while your grandfathers and the neighbors tended to your Dad and helped where they could. It was the most calm and organized emergency ever, even in the face of wondering if we were losing a child. With that being true, we can not possibly doubt we were being comforted by angels sent straight from God. By the time the first ambulance loaded Wyatt up in the back, Wyatt was able to groggily talk and even recall what he had received for Christmas. He was by no means out of trouble, but at least it was progress. The second ambulance loaded up Don and Jaxon and were going to meet us at the hospital.

Our new normal

Hours later, Jaxon was able to be released! Don had a compound tibia fracture and Wyatt had a orbital fracture near his eye and a concussion. Days later we realize Wyatt's ankle is sprained as well earning him a walker for a couple weeks. Lucas and Jaxon stayed with Nana and Pops during the days/night Wyatt and Don were in the hospital. Luckily their cousins were coming into town and it helped distract them from the ordeal. Wyatt was able to go home after a couple nights, but Don stayed in for almost a week! He had what we were told was the biggest hospital room in Las Vegas, and I believe it. Seemed to be bigger than our living room and only one bed!

Welcome home Daddy!

 The Orthopedic surgeon on call Christmas day was Las Vegas' best, Thank God (again!) and Don had some major adjusting to do. He was now out of work for at least 4 or 5 months (he's a garbage man and a broken leg tends to interfere with that) Don had tons of hardware sticking out of his leg (external fixator). No cast needed, but no weight bearing for 4 months. Finally Don got to come home in time for the new year, but with new limitations. A hospital bed was delivered, and set up in the living room since stairs were out of the question. He also needed a wheel chair as well as a walker and shower chair. Both your grandfathers came and took down our Christmas lights and built a ramp for your Dad to come outside with. Friends and other triplet MOMs gathered and made a schedule so we had dinners provided to us for an entire month!

A wheelchair doesn't stop the sillies!

  Today it is almost 5 months after the accident and your dad is so close to normal. He is not back to work yet, and still doing therapy, but getting better every day. It has been baby steps for him, but he has been a trooper and so good to us. He started out as my patient, needing help getting to the bathroom and having food brought to him. Now he has taken over most of the morning jobs, helping getting you kids breakfast and packing lunches with me. I have always loved your dad, but this unexpected time with him has really been nice for us too. Sometimes stressful, sure(!) but we know how incredibly blessed we are that you kids are healthy and many times he has said that he would much rather be him than any of you.

First Grade!

Holy cow, you little monkeys are in first grade this year! All day in school and in separate classes, too. This morning your dad and I dropped you off, and I told myself I was going to keep it together since I cracked on teacher meet and greet day. No worries, I didn't embarrass you, just left the room under the guise of looking for your wandering brothers :)

Luke, your class freaked me out! No familiar faces in your line, and most the line was GIRLS. 12 girls to 6 boys! I was worried about you making friends -you are such a doll and anytime I think of you it is with the image of your head thrown back laughing- and I was concerned you would be too shy to shine. After school you were so excited, it soothed my concerns for now. Not only did you get to sit with Jessica in lunch (even though she is in a different class), you love your teacher and you did end up recognizing one of the boys from your first class last year. I am excited to see you blossom on your own this year, buddy!



Wyatt, I LOVE your teacher. Her class is so bright and ideal, I wish your brothers had a class like that too. You have a couple friends in your class, including Franki down the street (and did I mention I LOVE your teacher?) and your teacher just seems perfectly suited for you. She sends packets home and I am all about teacher/parent communication. You sang songs in class today as well as played I Spy and Hide and Seek (really, or are you trying to make your brothers jealous?) so it sounds as if your day was a success too!



Jaxon, you got the majority of your friends in your class this year. I am sure you feel right as home amongst all your friends, but I have concerns since you got a teacher that is new to the school, and her classroom was not so cute and she had no packet, but I know I am nitpicking a bit because I worry you got another ineffective teacher. You get bored just doing homework, so I worry she won't be able to keep you inspired and on task for a 6 hour day. Only time will tell, so I will keep a closer eye on you. You are such an independent guy, not worried or hesitant about a new class or all day school. You are always ready to tackle what the bigger kids do, I really admire your strength like that. Get 'em tiger!



As for me, I sat around with your dad today. He called in just so he could be a part of this huge milestone with us. We ran a few errands and ate crab cakes. Then I read a book while he make water balloons for you guys to play with when you got home. Your dad is awesome, you know.



Tomorrow, I will wake up and make you a nice and healthy breakfast, and pack 3 yummy and healthy lunches. I feel like since I don't parent while you are at school I really need to get the meals right for you. Having you guys at school makes me realize it is time to look for direction in my life. I ALWAYS planned on being a mom. But being a mom is no longer a full time job, and I am in unfamilar territory.

Seems like a year of firsts for all of us. Can't wait to see where we end up.