It’s been so much fun getting ready for Hanukkah this year. Steven, Sammy and Amaya don’t totally get it (and don’t at all understand why we celebrate) but they’re definitely understanding more and more and are actually able to participate lighting the candles. I love it.

This year we were lucky to have Uncle Austin with us to celebrate the first two nights.

Hanukkah present for day one was a TRAIN TABLE! I think we’re as excited as the kids are.

We planned a big reveal! So much fun!!

Austin arrived late Friday/early Saturday after we all went to bed and he was up bright and early to enjoy playroom pancakes with the kids.

Coffee with Stevensaurus.

It wasn’t quite Hanukkah yet but Steven started talking about the “funny man” which meant it was time to give Uncle Austin his Hanukkah present. He was a very good sport. But, really, who doesn’t want a 4′ tall talking Darth Vader?

Saturday morning, Austin and I took the kids to Tiny Town for one more visit before their birthday party on 1/15.

We had the place to ourselves the entire time we were there! Perk of going on Christmas Eve morning, I suppose.

Amaya was so excited to “cut” my hair.

They did great, and I had a personal milestone. Well, Amaya did. She told me she had to poop. We went to the bathroom at Tiny Town. She pooped! It’s the first time she’s pooped out of the house and the first time I’ve been with her where she simply said she had to and went and did it. I’m so proud of how we’ll she’s done with potty training.

The boys are starting to show interest but I think it’s generally either to a) procrastinate or b) get to wash their hands. Neither of them has peed on the potty at home and I’m not sure they even understand yet how to intentionally release. They’re persistent, though. Sammy knows I’m going to claim he didn’t pee so he’ll tell me, “It was just dribbles and they’re white not yellow so you can’t see it in the toilet.” That boy.

We had a relaxing day today. It started off with Hanukkah crafts.

And playtime with Uncle Austin.

Everyone got to have a piece of Hanukkah gelt. “Show me your gelt and smile!”

We opened presents from Aunt Ouize & Uncle Todd and everyone had fun building. Amaya has incredible focus. She sat right down and got to it.

The kids also got a trampoline from mommy & daddy. Steven’s PT thought it would be good for him to help with his jumping since he still can’t get his left foot up when he jumps.

It’s amazing to see how far the kids have come. For the longest time, Steven, Sammy and Amaya wouldn’t even try to jump on trampolines. Amaya in particular gets crazy height and Sammy, who was nervous at first, love it! Steven is trying, too, but he also loves to swing from the handles (so does Amaya) and sit at the front of the trampoline pretending he’s on a motor-scooter.

This was hysterical. Sammy would jump on the trampoline with Amaya sitting behind him and she laughed and laughed and laughed. They took turns, too, and wanted to make sure the jumper had time to rest their legs.

Back to earlier in the week, Savta and Nana were still here until early Tuesday morning. Is it a bus? A train? Whatever it is, you can bet that Savta will make it fun!

On Sunday night, Savta made up a hockey game that absolutely enthralled the kids.

On Monday I had the opportunity to meet everyone for lunch. It’s hard to see in this photo but Amaya is ordering her food from the waiter. Mac & cheese and salad. She was very concerned when he went from my order to Savta’s so he came back to take hers.

Mac & cheese and salad, as ordered.

On Thursday, Rosie and I took the kids to their 2nd dentist appointment. All in all it was pretty uneventful. Amaya and Sammy cried. Steven was nervous but stoic.

It’s hard to hold your bag of dentist treats with mittens on!

Here’s what it looks like when the kids decide the hall by the garage is a bedroom.

Here’s what it happens when they play hide and seek by hiding in plain sight.

And here’s what it looks like when three almost 3 year olds “help” me get ready for work.

Steven this week!

Steven graduated PT this week! His physical therapist, Meredith, thinks he’s making great progress and has seen enough improvement that she thinks we can stop his sessions. We’ll go back in 3 months to see if he’s still progressing on his own. Go Bobes Go!

His graduation medal. 🙂 This one was donated from someone who ran the Charlevoix (MI) marathon in 2014. What a neat program! He’s so proud of his medal.

I’m sure Sammy and Amaya will be happy they don’t have to pass time at PT anymore. I think they’re getting punchy at his sessions. Hugging…wresting… it’s hard to say.

Steven loves order. He’s always been the one to tell us if we left baby gates open, even with a point and an “ooh ooh” before he could talk. Today at lunch he only wanted me to hold the back of his hand, not his palm, until he wiped the crumbs off his hands. Apparently this fastidiousness and sense of order applies to his artwork as well. Check out his fire truck! And it’s not a matter of Sammy or Amaya being particularly lax for their age. I saw the rest of the class’ work on the wall. This precision is definitely a Steven trait.

Of course when the menorahs came home from school I immediately knew which one was Steven’s.

Cuddling with Ming Ming, his current favorite friend.

Swinging!

Steven is making all sorts of interesting connections this days. He asked me why there is air in the sky. When I told him I was going to “jump in the shower” he told me not to jump in the shower and to be careful. When I was singing The Farmer in the Dell, Steven said that the cheese can’t stand alone because it doesn’t have legs, lol. His new phrase includes “sure”. “Can I have that, Steven?” “You sure can.”

Sammy this week!

Sally and the kids are all getting more comfortable around each other. In the past, both Sammy and Sally would have scurried away from each other but they sat there together for a surprising amount of time. Sammy did a great job staying still and helping Sally feel safe.

Bubba got to ride with Vader!

Checking out Uncle Austin’s gift.

Sammy is deep in a “why” phase. You better give him a good, clear answer or the whys will continue indefinitely!
“Your heart is beating inside your body.”
“Why?”
To circulate blood throughout your body.
“Why?”
To bring oxygen throughout your body.
“Why?” And so on. And on. 🙂

Amaya this week!

Homegirl is bad ass.

Hanging out with Steven on Rosie’s lap.

Always focusing on her play doh!

A toddler fashion statement, for sure.

Amaya looks so old here! I’m still in shock that I have kids, not babies.

Have a great week and a happy new year!

It was an exciting week in the Land of Cheltenham. Baby Taco came to visit!! My heart was near to bursting watching my babies with Megan’s baby. They were great with her. Everyone was totally enthralled when they arrived and then wanted to take Megan off to play which gave me lots of baby holding time. Steven surprised me by showing the most interest in feeding Taco and all of the kids showed a touch of jealousy. This is it! The closest we’ll get to a new baby in our house!

 

On Thursday, Rosie brought Steven, Sammy and Amaya to a holiday part at my office. It was so much fun and much more relaxing than the Halloween party. Even with more people in the office, the activity was spread out instead of masses of kids walking through the building in a pack.

Taking it in.

There were tables set up for dinner but it was crowded and impossible to find 5 seats together so we made our own picnic on the floor.

Show me your cookies!

Story time!

On Friday, Nana and Savta came to visit. Savta always knows how to entertain the kids. She’s so creative, just like she was when I was a kid.

We spent the morning at home, working on construction projects. We always have helpers!

Amaya played a game where her play doh was a boo boo and Nana had to call Dr. Anna (from Daniel Tiger) for medical advice.

Sammy got in on it, too. His hammer was “stuck in his ear.”

Last night we went to the kids’ Hannukah party at school. Jason and I had movie tickets because I forgot the date and I’d only paid for 5 of us, because I forgot the date, so Jason kept the movie plans and Savta, Nana and I took the kids so we were only a +1 our reservation.

Before the party started, we were invited to the art gallery at the JCC to see displays of artwork from all of the classes. It was a lovely, lovely presentation. Such a clever idea!

The center director wanted a photo of the children in attendance but mine wouldn’t get in the photo without me so we sat it out. I do not have joiners!

The party itself had a dance floor & dj, dinner, and Hanukkah crafts. So many of the kids ran right to the dance floor but Steven, Sammy and Amaya really hung back. I’m not sure what it is but they’ve never been dancers. Even when we play music in the house, they’ll sing but they’re not busting out dance moves.

With a little coaxing we did get them out to dance for a few minutes.

Can you see the pink sock Amaya is wearing on her right leg? It’s one of my fuzzy “home” socks that she insisted on wearing with her boots.

At dinner, everyone got their first taste of latkes! They were a hit. I mean, who wouldn’t want fried potato pancakes?

Decorating cookies

Show me your cookies, Steven! (True to form, he did not want to frost his. A) To messy B) To sweet.)

And backing it up all the way to the beginning of the week, Monday (which feels like a lifetime ago), Amaya and I traveled back from NY. She did well but definitely had her Threes on. I was the mom carrying her daughter on the plane like a potato sack. There’s no “later” or “not now” when it’s time to board.

Steven this week!

He was using the book basket to make patterns in the carpet.

Help from Sammy!

Swinging at PT

Savta showed the kids how their ribbons will float above the vent when the air is on.

Savta is also great a making costumes out of everyday items in the houses.

Brushing Daddy’s hair. Don’t worry! It won’t hurt.

Sammy this week!

“I have two pieces!”

Play doh creations

I think it’s a bedtime stalling tactic, but someone is asking to use the potty.

Super Sammy, in a Savta original cape!

Amaya this week!

Little miss independent.

Amaya was wearing ALL the clothing she could find. And mismatched boots.

Then she found more clothes!

Bat girl.

Cooking and throwing me pretend food.

And finally, bath time portraits!

Have a great week!

Our house has been sick for weeks. I don’t know if we are passing colds back and forth or just picking up new ones but we can’t seem to shake it. At least the kids are building their immune systems?

On Monday morning, Sammy was still asleep when I went in to get Steven and Amaya so we snuck out of their room and Sammy slept for another half hour. He is not a morning person. Even when he finally woke up he just wanted to be left alone with Princess Cat and his milk.

Rosie tested out our winter gear to be sure we’re all ready for the snow. It’s a win for sure when last year’s stuff still fits.

Look closely. That’s Amaya’s “you’re stupid” face. We’ve been seeing it since she was a baby and I expect I’ll see it for a long time to come.

Silly girl!

On Monday, Rosie took the kids to PT on her own. When they got there, Sammy said, “You did it!” lol. It’s just always nerve wracking for me to let the of kids drive with someone new even if I know they’re safe and taking all the right precautions.

I had a bunch of goofballs on Monday night.

Amaya was a walrus.

Steven and Sammy decided to wear my shirts, fresh out of the dryer. I think Steven looks so grown up here.

Steven wanted to be a walrus, too. I love seeing how they spark each other’s imaginations.

Bobes, sleeping in my shirt. <3 <3 <3

To get to the kids’ classroom they have to go down two flights of stairs. Their teachers joke that they are always at the back of the pack. Besides the fact that gross motor isn’t their strength, apparently they’re also always looking around at everything instead of hustling with the class.

I’m noticing that, when the kids pair off, it’s usually Amaya and one of the boys. I don’t think I often see the boys playing together. I’m going to need to pay more attention to that. I’ll have to ask Jason how the boys interacted when they were home with him this weekend. Brothers can cuddle at this age, right?

Oh, Amaya. Before bed we usually have a snack of apples or bananas. Amaya likes to hold onto her banana peel but I won’t let her put it on the floor or the couch so she just stands and holds it.

When she wanted to sit down I told her that the peel couldn’t touch the couch or I’d throw it away so she sat for a long time just like this. It’s amazing to me how she can be so strong willed but also such a rule follower. I guess it depends on how following the rules suits her needs.

On Wednesday I went to Chicago for an overnight business trip and it was Rosie’s first days 100% on her own. Of course, she rocked it. I thank my lucky stars for great care for the kids.

Steven has two more weeks of PT and then he’s going to be released for 3 months at which point we’ll go back for an evaluation to see how he’s been progressing at home. Meredith’s goal had been for him to be jumping by the time he finished but she thinks that, even though he’s not quite there yet, he’s making enough progress to warrant the break. Jason and I will have to be diligent and make sure he does his at home PT at least twice/week on an ongoing basis. I can’t say we’ve been great at that so far so we’ll need a new game plan to be sure it happens.

I got home Thursday night and had just a little bit of time with everyone on Friday morning before I headed out to work and then to NY with Amaya. It was a school day but everyone’s been sick. Amaya had a fever on Wednesday & Thursday so she was already staying home. Steven woke up and told me he was too sick to go to school so we decided it was a good day to rest. And a good thing, too! The kids napped for almost 3 hours!

After work Rosie, Steven and Sammy came to my office to drop off Amaya for our girls weekend. Before she got out of the car she said, “I love you, Stevie. I love you, Sammy.” So sweet!

I thought this would be my last leg of a flight with a car seat now that I’d have 3 in New York. I forgot that I’d need a car seat in my car to get Amaya home from the airport! Good thing I remembered before I made the trip without a car seat in tow. Yikes! I’d have had to call Rosie to come get Amaya.

“We’re on an escalator!”

I had to buy her this Hello Kitty plush in the airport. Had to. (Because what she really needs are more stuffed animals.)

Off we go!

And here we are! 10pm and we made it to NY! She was a champ!

Stories before bed, even late at night.

On Saturday morning, while Amaya slept in, Daddy had everything covered with the boys. Hi boys!

Amaya slept until almost 10am when a patient Charlie finally woke her up and helped her get dressed.

Back at home, the men of the house did some construction work.

While the boys were building stools, Princess Scientist Amaya found her flair.

We all got to FaceTime. Steven and Sammy were so excited to show us the stool they built! It will be perfect for Amaya when she washes her hands.

Saturday afternoon was a special treat with the Goldstein cousins for a Hanukkah get together. I think it’s the first time just the cousins have gotten together. <3

Amaya and I took these selfies when we were camped out in the bathroom. She was clingy and fussy and said she had to poop but wasn’t comfortable going at Glori’s house. We tried and tried. Interestingly, as soon as I put her in her nighttime diaper and jammies she perked up. Sara said she probably relaxed because she wasn’t afraid of having a poop accident because she knows she can go in her diaper.

On the way home, Amaya said she had to pee. Even though she was in her diaper I’m really trying to support the process and not tell her to just go in the diaper. We pulled into a gas station and I grabbed a plastic bag to put over the potty. Turns out that regular plastic bags don’t actually hold the pee. Sorry Papa!! I cleaned up the car! I promise!

The rest of the ride home was tough because she said she had to poop but wanted to do it at her house, not Nana’s house. She was so sad about it. I was actually relieved to find she’d gone in her diaper on the ride. Potty training takes so much energy from everyone!

What do you do when you’re peeing in the back seat of a car? More Mommy/Amaya selfies!

Sunday morning breakfast with Daddy for the Steven and Sammy. I can’t wait to squeeze these three guys of mine!

We headed to Aunt Sara & Uncle Dave’s house for the early part of the day. Amaya appropriated some sunglasses and wore them all morning.

 ‘

Back in the Land of Cheltenham, Sammy and Steven got busy with scissors. They’re little people! I definitely, definitely don’t have babies anymore.

This evening was a Hanukkah party with my mom’s side of the family. Amaya put on her fancy dress and tights and then I got to work on her hair. I need a full on hair tutorial. It does not come naturally to me. As you can see.

Aunt Sara to the rescue!

Lots of playtime for all of the cousins.

Best way to get a group photo is to require it before presents. (Goldsteins! We need to remember this for next year!) I am in the picture because someone insisted on sitting on my lap.

Give Amaya some play doh and she’s content for hours.

The girls playing together. They all ran off once they saw us taking pictures. 🙂

Back at home, Anna came around 5pm to help out a bit. While Jason was outside dealing with the snow, Anna did a science experiment with the boys!

She texted me, “Pictures from our science experiment! Sammy asked me why snow was wet; I explained that snow was made of water and he looked really confused so we put snow in the cup and watch it melt. They thought it was the coolest thing and we added more snow and later we added ice cubes to see what happened. I love how many questions they ask about things ?”

How cool is this!?!? Jason pointed out that, besides showing them so they could really understand, framing it as a science experiment helps them understand how to go about figuring things out.”

And that’s it for the week! Here’s one last selfie of Mommy & Amaya. We’re off to MI tomorrow to squeeze our men!

This age is such a mix of thrilling and exhausting. Steven, Sammy and Amaya are all whining like crazy but they’re also impossibly cute. Their conversations are so much fun to listen to. My mom was able to break through Sammy’s nighttime issues on Wednesday when she had to do bedtime by herself. Now, there’s no crying when I leave the room at night but I knock on their door a few times shortly after so they know I’m there. I actually do sit outside their room for a few minutes and get to hear the cutest conversations.

On Friday:
Steven: “I’m trying to poop. I can’t poop. Can you poop for me everybody?”
Sammy: “I can not.”
Amaya: “I can’t poop for you.”
Sammy: “I have big long farts.”
Steven: “Can you fart for me?”
Amaya: “I farted for you!”

And last night:
Steven: if you don’t come to my [unclear] I will be sad
Sammy: why?
Steven: because I love you
Steven: I will go to the workplace with you
Sammy: why?
Steven: because I love you
Steven: then next I will go by myself
Sammy: why?
Steven: because I am big enough. I am a grown up.
Amaya: I am a mommy
Steven: I am a daddy
Steven: who wants to meet me at my workplace?
Amaya: I do! I am in my car!

They fight a lot – over toys and attention – but they’re also thick as thieves these days and I love to see it in action.

The week started off with Nana holding down the fort.

Amaya had a case of the Mondays and wasn’t ready to start her week!

Amaya rallied, though, and everyone got off to Steven’s PT appointment on time. Cute little faces!

I had the opportunity come home for lunch and ate chicken nuggets with the kids and Ames, who was working from my house for the day. Hi Ames!

Afternoon play time with Nana and Ames

The Mondays caught up with Amaya again!

Monday evening, Ames and I got the playroom ready for Hanukkah!

Tuesday afternoon was nice enough that, once everyone was up from naps, they were able to play outside for a bit!  How amazing is it that the kids can still be outside at this time of year?

Wednesday morning was Rosie’s first full day with us. Our little firefighters gave her a big welcome!

PT time! (And a deranged toddler smile from Amaya.)

I love this little sling swing thing.

One more day to spend some time outside!

Poor Jason has been sick all week and was home from work the last half of the week. It did give him the opportunity for lunch with the kiddos!

3 toddlers in a Daniel Tiger coma.

I thought I’d try Wonder Pets with the kids as a break from Daniel Tiger. Sammy and Amaya weren’t having it at all but Steven was mesmerized.

Friday was Rosie’s first day of school drop off. Check out Mr. Cool with his hands in his pockets.

Help from Nana on Rosie’s first school run!

No one’s tired of play doh or magantiles yet!

Saturday was nuts. Jason was still sick in bed so we all piled in the car at 8:30am to take nana to the airport. (Thanks for helping this week, Nana!) Afterward, we met my friend Julie at a local library for story time and a character meet & greet with Pout Pout Fish.

It’s a great library. There’s a lot of play space including a kids’ room with doors that stay closed. I liked it a lot better than our local Novi library and think it will be a great place to go through the winter.

Steven and Amaya lost their minds when they saw Pout Pout in person but, fortunately, everyone was distracted by a craft that was set up.

Lounging, lol.

By the time we were wrapping up I decided it might be nice to go out for lunch and Steven, Sammy and Amaya were on board so, after a potty break for Amaya, we headed out. Thought “heading out” was an process in and of itself. Between the boys shenanigans in the bathroom and Sammy’s antics outside the library, I was almost ready to call the restaurant quits.

Lunch time! Steven, Sammy and Amaya did great. It’s not exactly relaxing but it’s definitely doable. My biggest concern was Amaya and the potty but we went once when we arrived and once when we left and that did the trick.

These kids were pooped by nap time!

After naps, I made my first solo trip to the grocery store with all 3 kids. They had so much fun picking out food for daddy. It was all for daddy! In fact, when we got home, Steven took every single item over to Jason to show him what we bought for him. It was super sweet.

Steven and Sammy both got out of the cart for a while. Not easy, but it was a good environment for them to learn to explore safely by my side. And, as always, Sammy’s my runner. He thinks he’s hysterical. Which, honestly, he kind of is except for the fact that he could run into dangerous situations. At Meijer, the threat of going back in the cart was enough to get him to settle down.

Try keeping three toddlers in a long grocery line. Good lord. I can’t believe we left the candy display intact.

After the grocery shopping I really didn’t want to prepare dinner so we agreed to wrap up the day at another restaurant. After a potty break for Amaya…

There she is dutifully sitting on the potty in the van.

Dinner! This time we all had to get out of the booth (three times) to take Amaya to the potty. She needed to poop and was struggling so she kept asking to go. I don’t want to say no when she’s so early in potty training so off we all went. Pro tip: Find the biggest stall and take all of the kids into the stall rather than just leaving the door open on a smaller stall. These kids need to be corralled or they’ll be flushing and pulling toilet paper anywhere they can!

Today I was so happy to have Rosie with us in the morning. I needed the break! Since we were on a schedule yesterday we moved playroom pancakes to this morning. I love Playroom Pancake Saturday and it’s just as nice on a Sunday.

Steven, eating vegetable soup.

Hooray for Rosie!!

The big surprise for the day was FaceTime with Megan! The kids were so excited to see May May, Taco and Mikey. Of the three, Amaya was the most interested in Baby Taco. I can’t wait until they can all meet!

We wrapped up the day with craft time in the kitchen. Steven and Sammy are getting really good at using their scissors. It’s kind of shocking to me. I can’t believe they’re old enough to use scissors. And Amaya just sat for an hour and a half gluing and cutting and gluing. It’s messy and requires constant supervision but, wow, these kids love their crafts!

I’ll leave you for the week with my sweet Steven who absolutely sparkles & shines. <3