We’re back from NY but what an amazing week we had. It went by so FAST! Our April trip was harder than this one. The kids were younger, moodier and less likely to follow directions, I think. This time I felt like we could have stayed another week. But we’re definitely also happy to be back to our normal routine.

On Tuesday, we spent the morning at Savta’s house. Everyone got to use an old fashioned push mower! It’s one my grandmother still uses, btw. They loved getting to mow the grass.

Aunt Sara didn’t think playing at a glass table with glass trinkets was a good idea. Smart lady.

Savta, holding court at lunchtime.

In the afternoon we went to Aunt Sara’s house. Steven didn’t  nap and he fell and scraped his knee so he wasn’t up for much fun.

Amaya and Sammy, on the other hand, looooooved the slip and slide. Amaya cracks me up with the goggles.

At dinner we loved that Amaya and Sammy love drumsticks. Go figure!

Wednesday was another beach day. After time on the playground, Sammy and Amaya wanted to go down to the ocean. (Such a long walk for little legs.) Steven wanted to go to the RV park. (The beach has an area set up for RVs & Campers.)

Charlie and Nana joined Steven.

Savta, Chase, Sara and I joined Amaya and Sammy.

They were both nervous about going in the ocean. Eventually Amaya tried as long as I was holding two hands. Sammy never quite got comfortable but he still loved being down there.

I’m really impressed with Amaya in the pool. She kept directing me to hold her the way her swim teacher does. It turns out she’s even able stand in the most shallow part of the big pool! She and I went in the big pool together every day we were at the beach.

Auntie & Dod Shuki came back to join us again. (Or were these photos from Monday, eclipse day? I’m not sure!)

More fun in the pool!

I had to leave earlier on Wednesday to go home for a work call but Steven, Sammy and Amaya took care of everything while I was gone.

Big helper Sammy, pulling a cooler.

These cousins love each other so much.

Bath time at Nana’s! Until now, we’ve tried to mostly do baths at Sara & Dave’s house because of the sliding glass door at Nana and Papa’s house but we’ve crossed that hurdle  (probably did a while back, actually), and baths work great here! Just one at a time. Longer process for me but SSA love it.

Brothers sharing a pillow. ♥

Thursday morning was a fairly lazy morning at Nana & Papa’s house. That left time for everyone to stay in PJ’s for a while which I think we needed.

Chase, reading story books to Amaya and Steven.

Aunt Dale & Uncle Arnie generously hosted the Goldsteins on Thursday afternoon & evening. SSA were shy to being with but were giving hugs all around by the time we left!

With Uncle Arnie

With Spencer, Cooper and the newest Goldstein, Jordan.

This girl loves babies!

Visiting a “castle” with Chase, Charlie and Sailor.

Golf cart rides! Only the boys were interested but they each went twice.

When Steven wasn’t a lion, roaring to scare everyone, he was Door Mouse manning the door to the deck.

Someone was VERY excited for dessert. (Steven, as usual, just ate fruit. In fact, he’s asked for a “fruit cupcake” for his 4th birthday.

Amaya, in a post-cookie coma.

Friday morning the kids requested time to play at home before we headed back to the beach.

On the way, Sammy tried to nap and Amaya sang him a lullabye. 🙂

On Wednesday night I had dinner with my triplet mom friend, Ashley. She also happens to have a cabana at Nickerson. on Friday, she and her nanny and kids joined us for the morning! Her BBG triplets are 5 months younger than SSA and she also has 7mo old twin girls.

We celebrated Nana’s birthday a few days early with cake and family photos. It’s not so easy these days!

Nana and Steven discovered a sand hole. He was initially nervous to get in and out but eventually found his groove.

Everyone joined in eventually! Steven was trying to get Sammy to sit down in the sand. “Come on, Sammy! I’ll show you how!”

Burying Amaya.

This boy. ♥ ♥ ♥

More pictures of toddlers sleeping. I love how Steven always holds Morminer while he sleeps.

Saturday was our last day in NY! Boo!!

We started off with a quick trip to see Chase play soccer (he’s a beast). It was gorgeous out and Charlie did an excellent job entertaining her little cousins.

Sammy knows how to relax.

To keep things mellow, we stuck close to home on Saturday afternoon & evening. We went through clothing from Charlie which everyone immediately had to wear, especially the dress up clothes.

Little fashionista.

Auntie came to visit, too, and got in her steps pushing Sammy. Steven was busy directing traffic.

Amaya and Charlie, checking out bugs.

I was trying to get packed and I came outside to check on the kids. Amaya asked me to push her in the car. I told her I couldn’t right then but she said, “But I waited patiently.” So off we went together! 🙂

After dinner, Amaya and Steven were playing some game together. I’m not sure what it was but Steven really wanted Amaya to play it with him and it was so cute watching them work it out together. I’m seeing so much more collaborative play lately!

And then it was time for goodbyes. Sad, sad, sad. 🙁

One last night at Nana and Papa’s house and Sammy made his way to Steven’s mattress.

We were up bright and early for our trip back to MI. Amaya was ready!

Bye bye!!

These kids of mine are expert travelers. I was so proud of them today. They helped get everything through security and were, overall, exceptional listeners on our trip. Look at them managing the bags at the TSA checkpoint!

As a side note, Steven fell in love with this “princess” dress and wanted to wear it today. I said yes without hesitation because there was no reasonable reason to say no and I’m so glad I did. I was initially very nervous about external reactions but he was happy & confident and no one in the airport batted an eye. No one! In fact, a mom of a young girl told me how great she thought it was that I let him wear what he wanted.

They’re three years old. It’s totally age appropriate and denying him felt wrong. Though, truthfully, if either of the boys grew up and still wanted to wear dresses that would be just fine, too. You hear that kids? You all just be you. That’s all you ever need to be.

Moving on…

Hugs in the bathroom!

We met our pilots and everyone got airplane wings.

Boarding the plane like champs.

I had been SO nervous about someone having to sit across the aisle from me on the plane. It turns out the worry was for nothing. I put Sammy in his seat and he just rolled with it. I was so proud of him!

Before we knew it, we were back in MI! We did it!

SSA got right back into their routine. Here, they’re playing together with presents that arrived from Grandpa Homey and Grandma Betsy. It doesn’t necessarily last long but watching the kids play together is amazing.

Riding the momentum from beds in NY, Jason and I decided to scrap the plans for Beds at Four and make the transition to beds today. Ack! I feel like I’ve been thinking about this for years. I have been thinking about this for years. It’s amazing that we made it to 3 years 7 months. They’re definitely ready but it’s such a big step for all of us. We really, really don’t have babies anymore!

Amaya and Steven discussing princesses.

The boys’ room. Next up, bed frames and, I hope, window treatments.

And that’s it!  It was an amazing trip to NY. I can’t believe it’s over and I can’t wait for next time.

This blog post comes to you from New York where I’m visiting for the week with Steven, Sammy and Amaya. We were lucky enough to have Daddy join us for a few days, too! I’m going to try to catch up a bit so it’s not too overwhelming for me at the end of our trip. <3

First of all, the kids are talking about the most amazing stuff. They’ve decided what they want to be when they grow up.

For anyone who didn’t watch the video (though I encourage you to because this mom thinks it’s adorable), it’s a policeman for Steven, an ear infection doctor for Amaya and a bad dragon that eats people for Sammy. ♥ ♥ ♥

Early last week, the kids met up with Mikey and Baby Taco at the mall before heading to Steven’s “appointment”. Later that night, Steven let me know that babies don’t listen. They tried to tell Taco not to crawl away but she wouldn’t do what they said. We had a long talk about why babies “don’t listen”.

Sammy explained that the oars on this boat don’t actually move. He loves the word “actually”.

Big girls!

I love when these kids hug.

We were meeting with a new orthotist for Steven at his PT appointment so I joined Megan and the kids. Steven saw me and his “I need Mommy” switch was triggered. Even his PT, Meredith, said he was like a different kid while I was there.

This is in the lobby before his appointment. Just not feeling it.

Still not feeling it.

Eventually Meredith worked her magic!

It was a good appointment and I liked the new guy we’re working with. I think, last week, I mentioned that Steven has cuts on his feet. We had just noticed them and it was good timing because his appointment was already scheduled for the next day. Meredith suspected that his orthotic inserts weren’t giving him enough support and the orthotist said these cuts support that because he’s pronating his ankles into the edges of the orthotics. It’s back to the SMOs that come up higher above his ankles. Steven picked a monkey patter with blue straps. Fortunately, the orthotist was able to make an immediate modification with padding so the inserts won’t continue to irritate Steven’s feet while we wait for the new braces.

For Ashley’s last week, the kids presented the art project the made as a goodbye/thank you/we love you gift.

Amaya wanted pink and blue in her hair before New York so, on Wednesday, I ran home at lunch to die her hair. What a treat to get to do this during my work day. She is so patient with me during the process and so, so pleased with the results. The boys were really cute, trying to help me with supplies.

Love my girl.

Friday was Ashley’s last day with Team Cline. We were so fortunate to have her join us for the summer!

Ashley shared this on her Facebook page which I want to put here, as well, so SSA can read it themselves someday:

“This summer I had the opportunity to nanny for some really amazing kids. Monday-Friday I got to play with these fun, rambunctious, happy triplet kids. They taught me how to have patience like no other (like, a lot), some vocabulary terms that I would never have known (colander and ottoman lol), meal prep (yes I gained some cooking skills finally), to make every day a fun one, and ultimately gave me a life lesson on my future and family. My favorite part of everyday was getting to see them. I appreciate the young life they carry within them and spending my whole summer building a relationship with them. Summer is ending and I am sad about that but I am even more sad about not being able to see these happy smiling faces every day, but I know I will be back every chance I get! Thankful for a great great summer.”

We love you, Ashley!

On Friday, we wrapped up the week with our trip to New York! Yay!! Jason was joining us on the flight but meeting us at the airport so Ashley dropped us off and I got the kids going.

Absolutely mesmerized by the fountain at DTW. Look at Steven’s face!

I had the double stroller with me but everyone wanted to walk. It’s actually easier for me that way because I can dump my heavy bags in the stroller. They’re pretty good at staying together and adorable when they need to run to catch up.

I got the kids through security, got them dinner, to the gate, we all ate, took a potty break and boarded the plane. It’s tiring but definitely doable.

Sammy brought airplane wings with him to give to our pilot, which we did. The pilot wasn’t used to getting wings from kids, lol. Amaya introduced herself, as well. Steven was too busy watching the planes on the runway.

My expert fliers boarding the plane.

Sammy, ready to go and waiting for Daddy to arrive! Jason made it with more than enough time to spare.

Tired Mommy.

We made it! The plane was a little late but we were back at Nana’s by 11pm.

Saturday was a beach day. This is a photo of Amaya just to show the bruise she had on her forehead from an accident earlier in the week. Amaya – 0, Doorknob – 1. (That’s what happens when you walk around the house with a sheet over your head.)

Amaya and Sammy are forward facing in the their car seats for this trip because they outgrew the RF limits for the seats we have at Nana’s house. Good to know it’s still easy to nap. 🙂

Beach day! Chase and Charlie were ready to look out for their cousins from the get-go.

Daddy at the beach!

We had a great day. SSA got time in the sand, all looooooooved the kiddie pool (and Amaya went into the big pool) and they had pizza delivery for dinner. Sammy and Amaya even took their first showers!

A highlight was getting to go out for dinner on Saturday night with Aunt Sara and Uncle Dave while Nana and Papa held down the fort with all 5 kids.

We realized, late Saturday night, that Sammy has outgrown the travel crib. Uh oh!! First up on the list for Sunday would be a new game plan for nap time.

Early Sunday morning Jason was off to the airport to head back to MI. We miss you, Daddy!!

It was a lazy morning before heading to Westchester for cousin Dalia’s 5th birthday party.

Everyone was ready to party!

Sammy, petting a bunny.

Steven had this balloon animal who wanted to say hi to everyone.

After the party we went to Aunt Sara & Uncle Dave’s house for dinner. SSA love the backyard “playground”.

As I mentioned earlier, the travel cribs weren’t going to cut it anymore. If Sammy was too big that meant Amaya was, too. Our solution was mattresses on the floor. Had to happen sometime! But hopefully we’ll still hold out for a few more months back in MI. Every day we gain in cribs is another day of development that will help them understand they need to say in bed. (Oh, please stay in bed!)

While Amaya and Sammy were enjoying the new set-up, Steven was in distress over a splinter in his hand. I could see the top peeking out of his skin but he wouldn’t let me anywhere near it. After an hour, the best I could do was get him to let me put neosporin on it along with a blue band-aid. (We didn’t have a blue band-aid, by the way. Nana colored one for him. The things you do when you have a hysterical three year old with a splinter, insisting on a dark blue band-aid… ) I was super nervous about how we’d eventually get it out but (spoiler alert!), it came out while he was swimming at the beach the next day.

Monday was another beach day! We spent a good 6 hours there and got in playground time, sand time and pool time. I’d been nervous about the eclipse but it was bright enough at the beach that the kids didn’t notice anything was happening so it was pretty much a non-event for them. We had our eclipse glasses, though, and got to enjoy the view. We had extra glasses, in fact, which Chase and Charlie were able to sell on the beach throughout the morning.

Amaya was awesome in the big pool! She kept telling me how to hold her, I assume the same way her swim teacher does.

Auntie & Dod Shukey joined us at the beach, too!

It was a great day! And a tiring one. Sammy, our man who can sleep anywhere, took a late afternoon cat nap.

Bedtime brought new configurations. Steven wasn’t happy that Sammy and Amaya got to sleep on mattresses and also really wanted a big one like Sammy. Now we have the boys back together in one room and Amaya asleep on the crib mattress in the room where I’m sleeping. Hopefully this is it with the moves for the rest of the trip but we’ll see!

That’s it through yesterday (Monday)! Can’t wait for the rest of a great week in NY!

Steven, Sammy and Amaya are obsessed with finding rocks (and bringing them in the house). They told Ashley, “We found some beautiful rocks that we love!” Of course they did.

Tuesday morning was a camp field trip! I was nervous about the kids on a bus at such a young age but their bus has some harness seats so away they went! We have these cool camp t-shirts to wear so the campers are all easily identifiable.

This picture is so reflective of the kids right now. They always have to have stuff with them. So much stuff!

I had to bribe the kids for their field trip photo by telling them they could see the wasp nest that was coming down later in the day.

Taco had a dr appointment so I took the kids to camp and picked them up. It was the first time I got to drop them off myself and I loved meeting their favorite counselor. Most of all, I loved hearing their first reaction to going on the bus. “We went on a BUS!”

Their counselor, Jodi, sat next to Amaya who cried a little on the way there but was excited for the ride home. The boys were also nervous in the beginning but loved the ride home. Everyone keeps asking when they get to go on another field trip.

After camp & lunch, Steven was off for his overnight adventure with Grandma Sunshine!

At home, our wasp nest was removed. It was huge, but empty. While they were there, the pest guys did find an active yellow jacket nest buried in the landscaping next to the garage! Ack!

They were so nice and brought a small, empty wasp nest from their truck for Sammy and Amaya to touch.

Wednesday morning we sent some good morning pictures to Steven and Grandma.

Good morning, Steven!

Megan took Sammy and Amaya to story time at the farm and I was lucky enough to be able to meet up with them for lunch. It was perfect. Gorgeous weather and happy kids. All that was missing was Steven.

This picture is crazy. SUCH BIG KIDS.

Steven had his own fun at the playground with Grandma. “She pushed me so fast!”

And then this little face was home to us! <3 <3 <3

Just in time for another dinner picnic.

Thursday morning, Sammy was the first one awake so he got some alone time with me while i got ready for work.

Soon enough, Amaya and Steven joined me. Amaya got her own makeup so she could put hers on while I did mine.

Steven took it easy.

SSA were outside most afternoons this week. It’s been so nice! I need to remember to stay in the moment and avoid counting down to winter. 🙁

Sammy’s on the phone with Daddy.

My hair was straight on Friday and I promised the kids the could brush it with water to make it curly again. It is pure chaos when three 3 year olds are running back and forth from the bathroom with wet brushes to style my hair. And cold. But also adorable.

They got into the fun with Jason, too. Here Jason has a towel over his face to keep from getting wet while Sammy brushed his hair. At the same time, Steven was throwing basketballs at Jason’s face, lol.

Amaya was slow to get moving on Saturday. When she and I were ready to come downstairs, I found Steven and Sammy in the chair together reading books and counting together. It was adorable.

We made Saturday a family zoo day! Steven wanted to see foxes. Sammy wanted to see squirrels. Amaya wanted to see elephants. (Sorry Amaya.)

The zoo is so big that we can’t reasonably go without a stroller or the wagon yet. It’s just way too much walking. In fact, families with kids much older still seem to take wagons to the Detroit Zoo. I can’t pull them in the wagon anymore but, fortunately, Jason can.

And Sammy can.

And Steven can!

Zoo selfies!

The line for food was too long at the zoo so we made a pit stop for hot dogs on the way home. Amaya decided to eat hers in the high chair. Goofball.  (It’s out from when Taco visited and now the kids love feeding their stuffed animals in it.)

This morning everyone woke up in a great mood. Sammy and Amaya built projects for Ashley. This is Ashley’s last week with us before she goes back to college and we’re going to miss her so much! She’s been amazing with the kids this summer and they love her.

Sammy made Ashley a “sprayer”.

Amaya made Ashley a person.

Steven made a hula hoop and it’s for him only. 😉

Stickers are huge around the house. I picked up some new stickers at Meijer this week and I think SSA spent nearly an hour playing quietly just sticking stickers on paper. I’m going to bring some on the airplane for them to play with. It might be a great way for them to pass time.

We had family brunch a Deadwood. Hands down this was our easiest time out at a restaurant as a family. Almost relaxing. We’ve been coming to Deadwood since they were still in infant carriers so this place feels like a great barometer for passing time.

Steven was the Coaster Keeper.

Sammy and Amaya holding hands when we left the restaurant. <3

Today was Steven’s day to go to the grocery store with Jason. Boy was he ready!!

While they were off shopping, Amaya and Sammy got in some bike riding and some time with the water table. Yes, that’s Amaya sitting in a stroller. I really can’t explain it.

I was trying to get Sammy to ride down the grass. He’s so close to getting the concept of balancing while he rides. I thought, if he could get some speed on the hill on the grass, it would help it click for him. He wasn’t so into it though. He much prefers the hill on our driveway.

Water table up front so Sammy could also ride his bike.

It turns out Amaya hasn’t been riding her bike because she was afraid her helmet buckle would pinch her neck when we close it. I’m so glad she told me so I could get her more comfortable.

We wrapped up the day with Daddy dinner fresh off the grill. It was SSA’s first corn on the cob!

At that’s it for the week! I’ll wrap up with my men posing as a big butterfly. (Really. That’s what they told me they were. Anything to keep their daddy as close as possible.)

Have a great week!

On Monday we were riding the high from our adventures at the “new” playground so Megan took the kids back there before Steven’s PT appointment. This kid’s smile kills me.

 

I really, really hate sandboxes.

Steven is a champ at PT. He was given some daily exercises to do at home for 3 months and we’re committed to seeing them though so he can grow up big & strong like daddy.

Jason was home from work on Monday coming off his week away so he got in some extra time with SSA.

I’ve been looking for a vanity for Amaya’s room and Megan found one on a Facebook sale page that I was able to pick up on Monday. We put it together Monday night and it was in Amaya’s room when she woke up on Tuesday. Like the boys’ basketball hoops, sharing is required and it’s definitely a hit. It’s not a vanity, by the way. According to Amaya it’s a make-up table, lol.

The kids definitely have favorite camp counselors and one of them is Miss Jodi. She’d been out and when Sammy saw that she was back he ran to get Steven and took his hand to show him she was there. ♥

Happy, silly, sassy kids after camp.

Ashley had the great idea to have a dinner picnic on the deck since it was so nice outside. Perfect!

There are mornings when I sometimes don’t shower until after Megan arrives. On Wednesday, I got a text from Megan that Steven was waiting for me to get dressed. He stayed out in the hall for more than 20 minutes, waiting for me to get him dressed. Amaya and Sammy ate breakfast while he waited patiently. Sweet boy.

It was a mall Wednesday and the kids made friends! Amaya walked right up to some girls and told them her name and age. I love that.

Lunchtime was music in the park where more friends were made!

Below is the sweetest story from Megan. I love how brave Amaya is becoming. I want her to keep this confidence, always.

Some random pictures from the week…

Sammy building.

Steven putting on his makeup.

Amaya looking adorable in pigtails.

Trying on Ashley’s flip flops.

Watching Ashley run to the car in the rain. Yes, that’s a tutu skirt on over Amaya’s PJs and, yes, she slept in it.

Climbing and balancing.

The couple that sits outside their kids’ bedroom  door together stays together, lol.

Practicing golf skills.

Saturday morning was a rough one for Amaya. She didn’t eat much dinner on Friday night so I think she was hangry.

Solved! With kiwi dipped in ketchup. As one does.

I was so lucky to have three of my triplet mom friends come visit this weekend – Heather, Dianna and Karie. They’re also January 2014 moms and we’ve known each other since pregnancy. I was so sad when they went home today. (Side note: this little beach is in Novi! It’s a tiny public beach with free access for Novi residents. I can’t believe I didn’t know about it! There were a ton of families and there’s a swimming area manned by a lifeguard. I can’t wait to take SSA.)

Anna babysat while Jason was out and I went out for dinner with my friends. Here the kids are watching us leave in our Lyft. (Another side note: there’s a HUGE hornet or wasp’s nest outside their window. And we saw an insect flying into the attic space in our garage. Horrible!! That’s my first call tomorrow morning.)

We had a lazy night and a lazy morning, with breakfast compliments of Jason. I had so much fun. Saying goodbye was so sad. I’m so lucky to have made these amazing friends, all who had triplets within weeks of each other.

Rosie came to get the kids up so we could sleep in. She’s a fun master!

After nap, Steven and Amaya were being so sweet. You’d never guess that just hours later they’d be practically beating each other up. Or maybe you would guess that. “Don’t touch me! Mommy! Steven is touching me!”

TV time for the little men, nap time for the big man.

Sammy joined Jason at the grocery store (which is when Amaya and Steven decided to beat each other up). Shenanigans! 🙂

Finally, here’s a video of Steven playing and then tuning his guitar. I’ve probably watched it thirty times.

Have a great week!